December 13, 2012
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Sometimes I wonder
..if I’m doing the right thing. In more than one area of my life. I love making candles and creating them and experimenting. But it’s hard to sell them. I don’t know why..especially since everyone who’s gotten one (or more) absolutely loves them, and raves about them. That they smell fantastic and burn nicely. And many are repeat customers.
But it seems like it ends there. I feel stuck, that I can’t go any further. I have over $500 in inventory. I have to somehow come up with $400 for rent. I have a car that’s about to get repossessed, at some point. I’ve tried promotional contests. I’ve tried extending my customer base. I don’t know if I’ll give up or not. Why do people give up on their dreams? Because at some point, it just feels very hopeless. I’m not sure what else I can do.
I don’t think I’ll give up..but I certainly feel extremely discouraged. I’m sure it’s a common feeling when one tries to do their own business and it feels like it’s failing and you don’t know how you’re going to get your next meal…but I hate feeling this way. I’m going to my dad’s for the weekend, and I’m not sure how I’m going to eat. I made $90 this week working 9 hours, but I HAVE to use ALL of it on rent. And, about $30 in gas. So, $60 of the $400 I need. I just need $340 more..awesome.
Sometimes I feel like it would be better if I wasn’t even here…if I didn’t exist.
Comments (14)
I think starting a business on-line is difficult. People don’t know who to trust. An idea would be to take your candles to a local boutique that sells things made by local artist. I know one of the coffee shops where I live does this. People do pretty well unless they ask an insane price, but you don’t have that problem.
Etsy is a fucking tough place to sell. No matter how many offers I give, I get VERY few sales. I don’t know why I keep it open most days, but I keep trucking through.
I really do love your candles, and I wish I could buy more, but I can’t right now. I used my remaining PayPal balance to pay my stupid Etsy fee and get my mother a CD she’s been wanting for a very long time. Also, lack of a job means I need to watch what I buy
I will do my best to give you some publicity on FB and Xanga (tomorrow I’ll write up a review for your stuff) to help you out. Good luck in getting more sales.
*big hug* and I, for one, am glad you exist. How else am I supposed to get awesome candles?!
But in seriousness, you’re a wonderful person and I KNOW that you will get a huge break eventually. And we are all here to give you the love and support you deserve 
I understand what you are going through in a lot of ways. Be strong.
I think candles could be a hard thing to sell because there are so many out there, and many cheaper ones. But I think you’re candles are much better than many that I’ve seen! I hope you can get some sales. Do you take your candles to markets? even like a church garage sale? or set up a stall anywhere? you may get some sales that way – if you don’t already do that
Ps- it may also be a great idea to set up a little stall somewhere especially now that it’s almost christmas and in the days leading up to it for people that have forgotten to get gifts! You might have to do a lot of legwork and try to not drive just take a small amount of candles to carry around with you.
That’s all that I can think of anyway. I hope you sell some more. I would buy some for friends and family if any of them were in the US.
Fortunately, Etsy isn’t very expensive, or I would have closed shop by now. What I would like to know, and have tried to find out, is how we get our stuff close to the top of the search pages. I have not been able to figure that out! And, there is SO much stuff on Etsy, I don’t know how anyone decides what to buy!
I hope you have more success soon. Sometimes it takes awhile. I’m 55 and just got my first short story published. There is always hope!!!
Hang in there
stay strong, Crystal
There’s some places around here that partner with small businesses and local people and agree to sell their stuff in their stores. Idk if something like that is a possibility?
My first business failed. But I never had very good business skills and wasn’t a very good salesman. The secret is if you don’t have the skills yourself you need to find someone that does to help….or partnership (like what has been mentioned above, deals with shops etc.). I really do understand because I still intend to get my business back up one day.
The grind is completely hard, as plenty would attest. Sorry to hear people aren’t following through much. Why not start with selling to a certain demographic?
It’s a tough time to be selling non-necessities like candles.
If you’re short on groceries, don’t hesitate to apply for food stamps or go to a food bank. You’re exactly the kind of nice, hard working person that they’re meant to help.
You should go into a few used bookstores around your area and see if they’d be willing to sell your stuff for however much percent of what you’d make. I know that a couple of my favorite used bookstores in the area sell hats and jewelry and handmade cards. Trying coffee shops might be a good idea.
You should make some business cards. I can send some out to various penpals and such (I write to a lot of people). It’ll take time and you’re selling things now. Just hang in there. You haven’t been doing this for all that long yet. By this time next year I’m sure business will be booming!
Hugs!
I think there are a few factors here–1) the economy 2) the holidays. Because of both of these reasons, people are stretched thin. Don’t give up on your dream. At the most, just sit on it for a little while. I know you want to experiment and keep creating, but don’t put more money into it until you can get a little money out first. Don’t give up. Just give it time.