14 Candle Business Success Stories & Examples [2024]
The candle industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world.
Candle making was one of the first industries to be industrialized, and now up to 90% of all candles are made by machinery. Yet most of us still make our own candles from home, creating a demand for handcrafted, high-quality candles from candle manufacturers even in today's automated world.
A candle business is a worthwhile idea for an entrepreneur who wants to make some extra money in their free time from the comfort of their own home. There are many opportunities for this type of business if you consider it seriously.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a candle business:
1. Southern Elegance Candle Company ($1.68M/year)
D'Shawn Russell started Southern Elegance Candle Company as a side hustle to make extra money and get out of the house. The company quickly grew, and now they average $20,000 in monthly sales through their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire. Russell's authentic love for the South and Southern culture inspired the creation of home fragrance products with a Southern theme.
How much they make: $1.68M/year
Current team size: 20
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
2. Bluminary ($6K/year)
"Lauren Costanza, founder of candle business Bluminary, came up with the idea after a dinner with friends where they discussed their desire to know someone who creates candles. Realizing she could be that person, Lauren used her love for travel, passion for creating, and photography skills to create scented candles inspired by destinations she's visited. Since launching in September, Bluminary has earned back its initial investment of $3,000 and generated $1,292.86 in sales over the Christmas holidays."
How much they make: $6K/year
Current team size: 1
Bluminary founder Lauren Costanza started a candle business based on her travels and passion for the outdoors, which has generated $2,062.6 in revenue since September 2019, with $1,611.50 coming from vendor events and markets, and a 56% email open rate.
So... can you actually make money with a candle business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. TERRA ($30K/year)
Dianna, the founder of TERRA, started her business with less than $100 and in just 8 months, she has sold her eco-friendly candles to dream companies like Greetabl and Kinder Beauty. With a background in graphic design and a passion for physical crafts, Dianna found inspiration while traveling and decided to dive into candle making upon returning home to St. Louis. She took a risk, put up what she could, and successfully launched her candle business, proving that starting with limited resources is possible.
How much they make: $30K/year
How much did it cost to start: $100
Current team size: 1
Find out how a candle brand started with less than $100 and, in just eight months, achieved $5,000 in revenue, landed deals with major companies such as Greetabl and Kinder Beauty, and enjoyed a 86% profit margin thanks to its eco-friendly, handmade, and affordable candle products.
4. Headline Solar ($6M/year)
Kevin Gillespie noticed the black residue left by traditional candles on his walls and decided he could create a better candle. After experimenting in his mom's kitchen and facing initial challenges, Wax & Wick now brings in $20,000 per month and plans to add more scents and expand its customer base.
How much they make: $6M/year
Current team size: 20
Wax & Wick is a 100% soy candle company with wood wicks, that creates environmentally-friendly products; starting off making $1,000 a month in 2015, they brought in about $20,000 per month during Q3 2017 and plan to add ten new scents and a premium sized jar for 2018's $50,000 per month goal.
So... can you actually make money with a candle business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Coco & Bubbles ($168K/year)
Elise quit her job to start a scented candle business. She found a suitable business name, Coco & Bubbles, and bought the abandoned business for $3000. One day after relaunching, she received over $2000 worth of wholesale orders, giving her a huge confidence boost.
How much they make: $168K/year
How much did it cost to start: $5K
Current team size: 0
How one founder bought an existing candle business for $3,000 and grew it to making $14k per month by focusing on wholesale opportunities and direct relationships with manufacturers for cost-efficient sourcing.
6. Black Luxe Candle Co. ($240K/year)
Brittany was enthusiastic about gifting within her family, so instead of buying physical presents, she started making candles. After posting a picture of one of her creations online, she received inquiries from people curious about how they could purchase one of her candles. After giving it some thought, she decided to turn her hobby into a business.
How much they make: $240K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 0
Learn how a candle designer increased her sales from $4,800 in 2019 to $40,000 in 2020, with a net profit of $12,000 in November alone, by focusing on creating a luxury experience with her candles and showing them in a non-traditional way.
So... can you actually make money with a candle business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesn’t.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Vintage Vegan Candle Co ($48K/year)
Adam, the founder of Vintage Vegan Candle Co, came up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic, which greatly impacted the theater and events industry that he worked in. Wanting to explore the history of lighting and create a product that was environmentally-friendly, he taught himself the art of candle making. His business has since generated £15,000 in the first 10 months, exceeding his initial goal of making £5,000 in the first year.
How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $400
Current team size: 1
Vintage Vegan Candle Co started as a hobby during the pandemic, and has now become a fast-growing business generating £15,000 in its first 10 months selling homemade, sustainable soy candles and diffusers.
11. Winding Wick Candles ($70K/year)
Tiana Coates started Winding Wick Candles in 2015.
In 2020, Coates made over $70,000 from an online candle course, including $40,000 in just one month.
9. Supplies For Candles ($12M/year)
Nicky Story, the CEO of Supplies For Candles, came up with the idea for her business after selling soap-making supplies and receiving suggestions from customers to sell candle supplies as well. With just £10,000 as startup capital, she carefully selected stock, developed a website, and focused on marketing to make her business a success. Today, her multi-million-pound business empire serves over 100,000 customers across Europe and is predicted to turn over £18m this year.
How much they make: $12M/year
How much did it cost to start: $10K
Current team size: 100
Learn how 30-year-old Nicky Story went from having a side hustle business in her garage to a multi-million-pound business empire, employing over 100 people, and predicted to turn over £18m this year through selling candle and soap making ingredients and products while targeting both B2C and B2B.
10. a:musé ($96K/year)
Eva Maganja, a designer with a love for fragrance, came up with the idea for a:musé candles after experiencing coughing fits from burning paraffin wax candles. She discovered the benefits of beeswax and saw a gap in the market for aesthetically pleasing beeswax candles. With the help of 3D printing and a focus on sustainability, Eva and her partner Urban Bradesko launched their line of luxury candles and are now making $8,000 per month.
How much they make: $96K/year
How much did it cost to start: $6K
Current team size: 1
A:musé Candles is a two-person team that bootstrapped their way to success by creating luxury, sustainable candles using only natural, eco-friendly materials and locally sourced beeswax and soy wax, and they currently make $8,000 per month.
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- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 8,628 business ideas
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
