I remember reading somewhere on the Internet that making a couple hundred dollars a month selling candles is easy, but earning a living from it is hard.
I could not agree more.
I know that the standard line for this type of business is that whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.
And I guess that's true to some extent.
But let's face it, most people will quit in a matter of weeks.
Just like any business you're trying to set off the ground, this is not for the faint of heart; it is grueling, sometimes boring, and often very frustrating, especially as it takes some time before you see results.
Yet I wouldn't want you to think for one second that I'm trying to discourage people from this business opportunity.
On the contrary.
I've found that the more you know what it takes, the better prepared you are mentally for this challenging process.
I have yet to watch an interview with a successful entrepreneur and see them talk about how easy it was to go from scratch to great success.
As a matter of fact, they seem to remember the challenges much more than the successes.
Many of them say they thrive on challenge.
In order for you to make your candle selling business a success, you have to approach it as such.
That means that several things need to be taken care of in a business-like manner.
Here's a partial list, in no particular order.
Having a business plan.
Are you going to make and sell candles? Or are you going to find a supplier and just focus on selling? Each of these options requires a different approach as far as supplies and inventory management, handling orders, and price flexibility.
Make sure all your costs are accounted for, so you don't end up spending more than you bring in.
Investing in your business.
If you treat candle selling as a hobby, you will make hobby money; treat it as a business, and you'll make business money.
You should at the very least get a DBA for your business (Doing Business As).
It will make it easier for you to separate personal records from business records, which will be especially important at tax time.
Set up an online presence and invest in both online and offline advertising.
You need to invest money, as people are simply not going to beat a path to your door.
Cost-cutting.
At the same time you're investing in your business, you have to be ready to cut costs whenever it's not going to jeopardize the quality of your product.
If you started out selling candles, you can investigate to see whether or not you can reduce costs by making them yourself.
If you already make them yourself, you can try and get your supplies for less.
You get the idea.
This is not an easy business and anyone who tells you it is, is flat out lying to you.
But once you get your foot in the door, so to speak, it can be incredibly rewarding, both in financial and personal terms.
I could not agree more.
I know that the standard line for this type of business is that whether you think you can or you think you can't, you're right.
And I guess that's true to some extent.
But let's face it, most people will quit in a matter of weeks.
Just like any business you're trying to set off the ground, this is not for the faint of heart; it is grueling, sometimes boring, and often very frustrating, especially as it takes some time before you see results.
Yet I wouldn't want you to think for one second that I'm trying to discourage people from this business opportunity.
On the contrary.
I've found that the more you know what it takes, the better prepared you are mentally for this challenging process.
I have yet to watch an interview with a successful entrepreneur and see them talk about how easy it was to go from scratch to great success.
As a matter of fact, they seem to remember the challenges much more than the successes.
Many of them say they thrive on challenge.
In order for you to make your candle selling business a success, you have to approach it as such.
That means that several things need to be taken care of in a business-like manner.
Here's a partial list, in no particular order.
Having a business plan.
Are you going to make and sell candles? Or are you going to find a supplier and just focus on selling? Each of these options requires a different approach as far as supplies and inventory management, handling orders, and price flexibility.
Make sure all your costs are accounted for, so you don't end up spending more than you bring in.
Investing in your business.
If you treat candle selling as a hobby, you will make hobby money; treat it as a business, and you'll make business money.
You should at the very least get a DBA for your business (Doing Business As).
It will make it easier for you to separate personal records from business records, which will be especially important at tax time.
Set up an online presence and invest in both online and offline advertising.
You need to invest money, as people are simply not going to beat a path to your door.
Cost-cutting.
At the same time you're investing in your business, you have to be ready to cut costs whenever it's not going to jeopardize the quality of your product.
If you started out selling candles, you can investigate to see whether or not you can reduce costs by making them yourself.
If you already make them yourself, you can try and get your supplies for less.
You get the idea.
This is not an easy business and anyone who tells you it is, is flat out lying to you.
But once you get your foot in the door, so to speak, it can be incredibly rewarding, both in financial and personal terms.
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