The candle industry produces over $2 billion dollars annually. In the USA alone, candles are burned in over 80% of the homes and this number is on the rise since the tragedy of 9/11.



People burn candles to promote mood enhancement, relieve stress and to create a romantic environment. It's no wonder candles are a popular gift giving idea among many people across the nation.

If you have ever entertained the idea of owning your own home candle business, you will certainly want to research the various companies offering independent ownership within their company. There are a multitude of companies successfully training distributors to market their products. Your research prior to making a commitment will make a difference on your long-term success.

Find out the potential commission possibilities based on sales. Obviously the more money you earn when selling product should be an important part of your decision- making process. Some companies will offer up to 50% commission on your sales, while others will only offer 25%.

Are there any monthly requirements that need to be met to maintain an active status? Monthly minimums have been noted to be anywhere from as low as $10.00 a month to as high as $250.00 a month is sales. It is important to determine if the company mandates are realistic when paired with the amount of time you wish to invest in the business on a weekly and monthly basis.

Does the company require you to invest in a large inventory to be successful? While it is important to have some inventory on hand available for customers who may need an immediate item for gifting, it is even more important to keep your inventory in check. If the company requires a large inventory to be successful you will need to find out if the company is willing to buy back any items that have not sold should you decide to no longer maintain your membership. No business is worth going into debt over.

Does the company offer a residual income based on team building? Multi-Level Marketing has become a very lucrative and highly effective way of building long-term income. Essentially, the company pays you a commission check based on the sales volume of your team. Your efforts in building a team and giving them the necessary tools for training will be rewarded on a monthly basis via a company check or direct deposit. This is an excellent avenue for those who are leadership minded, self-motivated and willing to invest about 3-5 years part-time to reap the harvest financially.

Choose a sponsor who is interested in your success. You will enter into a partnership with your sponsor. It is important that your sponsor and team leader understands your vision and is respectful of where you want to take your business. If you are not interested in building your own team but are excited about retail, your sponsor should focus on training you in the area of successfully selling the product and not pressure you to enter into a territory that you are not the least bit interested in. However, choosing a sponsor who will challenge you in the area of personal growth and development is very important. Make you decision carefully.

What kind of training is available for you to succeed at this business? There are a variety of mediums companies use for training. Team websites, conference calls, conventions, auto-responders, DVD's and weekly meetings are all a variety of ways you can receive training. Personal contact with your sponsor is crucial in the beginning stages of your candle business. Ask your sponsor if he/she is available for questions over the phone if you are unable to find the answers. Find out what the company offers to train their new distributors and if any of this training is mandatory to maintain an active status.

Find out if there are any company guidelines for marketing the products. Can you market the products online or are you limited to retailing the candles strictly by conducting home shows and holiday bazaars? Does the company provide you with a company website and if so, what fees are involved? Does the company allow you to create your own personal website for marketing yourself as a team leader? Find out what areas interest you before becoming a member and determine if the company guidelines will allow you to market the candles accordingly.

Most importantly, have fun! This is a business you should enjoy. Have fun sharing the products with your friends and family and through the use of goal setting and persistence, you will see your business grow over time. It takes a determined spirit combined with a love for the product to succeed. Find a candle product you believe in and begin to live your dream.