DDRguymansir

I want to start my own home-based crafts business making hand-made scented candles.I've asked similar questions before but have never really gotten an answer that I was happy with. So I decided to ask a very specific question this time.Most people tell me to use ebay or craigslist or something like that but I fear that my candles would seem vastly overpriced since I'd be using extremely high quality materials and containers. The prices people post items for on ebay makes me think of it as a place for getting rid of something or selling something making only pennies profit.My predicament:-I'm only 20 (no credit history)-I only have about $250 to start my business.-I have a stress disorder that makes it a little difficult for me to keep a job at which I have to answer to other people, so I'd be a little nervous about getting standard job.I'm extremely intelligent, though, and have supportive family and friends.My question again: If you were me, how would you go about it?

Dant4285

I am a professional ebay seller selling designer items on ebay since 2000. I think that if you can sell something locally, you should be able to sell it on ebay. you mentioned that you only have $250 to start. this is a low budget. do not expect to sell any candle unless :1- you have an establish account ( over 100 Fbs all positives)2- you have so many items. 3- your idea and candles are actually sell.You mentioned that you are afraid that your candles do not sell on ebay. You can do a research of similar items . just go to advances search , click on completed listings and search for items that are similar to yours. send me a message if I can help on anything else

ErikaNicole

www.itsy.com It's a marketplace for homemade items. People who shop there expect to pay a little more for quality homemade items.With $250 start up, this would be your best bet. Using Paypal you do not have any up front fees....all fees are taken out of the payment prior to being deposited in your account. Check with your state & city to see if you need a business license for this....in my city in CA, I need a bus license for any online business & I need a home occupation permit. It runs around $70 for both in my city. EDIT- It was www.etsy.com Sorry.Good luck!

gabby335

Well, a good friend of mine started a similar company many years ago out of the basement of his home. He made a candle for his mom and then found out that his neighbor wanted to buy it from him, so he sold it and bought more candle supplies and made the gift for his mom and more to sell.Word spread about his candles in the area and started taking orders and working on it part time after school until he graduated from high school (which is where I know him from).After graduating, he dove into the business full time and started selling the candles to local shops on consignment. Soon, he had more work than he could handle and had to move out of mom and dad's basement and into a rented space where he hired a few people to help.That was 38 years ago ... today, Yankee Candle is one of the biggest candle producing companies on the planet! And Mike started just like you are ... with a quality product and a dream.Go for it! Bring your samples to local shops and show them the quality. Negotiate a fair split of the profit and you'll get your name out there.Good luck!

netmom

It seems like you would need more than $250 to start your business in order to have enough inventory and to purchase all the material you'll need.I work at home with a candle business myself, but I don't make them from scratch. They're scented gourmet veggie/soy candles and retain the smell really well.You may want to check it out, I don't know, but it's only $50 to get started.I do home presentations, fundraisers and retailing with small shops and spas.Online, I market the home business side for anyone looking to work from home.You may want to look into it:www.onlinecandlegirl.com