7 Candle Manufacturer Success Stories [2024]
Candle manufacturing is one of the best small business ideas you can start from home. Making candles comes with a low startup cost and does not require much equipment. If you plan to start a candle manufacturing business, hone your craft and get comfortable with the candle-making process.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a candle manufacturer:
1. 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.
2. 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.
So... can you actually make money with a candle manufacturer?
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. 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.
4. Winding Wick Candles ($70K/year)
How much they make: $70K/year
Current team size:
Founder took her online retail store from $0 to $1.8 million in annual revenue by leveraging social media marketing, customer service, and influencer partnerships.
So... can you actually make money with a candle manufacturer?
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:
- 4,818 founder case studies
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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
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
