If you're looking for a business that you can start today and begin making money tomorrow, consider becoming a candle consultant.

There are many well-known direct sales companies that provide opportunities for direct sales consultants to sell candles. There are many advantages to becoming a candle consultant, such as:

? Low start-up costs. Kits are generally under $100.

? High commissions and no waiting for a check to be cut (you take your commission off the top and send the rest to the company)

? Many different ways to sell candles (home parties, offices, online and Website parties and as fundraisers)

? Ability to set own hours, no income limits, educational requirements or previous experience required

? Discount on own purchases

? On-going training and opportunities for advancement

? Good customer support

In addition to providing candles, many companies are expanding their product lines to include bath and body products, which means that you have the opportunity to increase your sales significantly.

Parties can be held in someone's home, or you can sell items through a catalog. Online ?parties? are becoming more popular, as are orders on a Website. In fact, to really watch your sales ?catch fire? why not try all methods?

The advantage for someone to host a party at their home is that the hostess receives free merchandise as well as a nice discount, based on the total sales during her party and how many other people book parties too. For guests, coming to a candle party is a great way to see and smell different candle scents ? to try before they buy ? something they can't do at the local mall or department store.

Candle parties are also a great ?girls? night out? event, with lots of games, the chance to win prizes, food and fun. During the party, you will demonstrate not only the newest candles ? and light different candles so that guests can see for themselves how good they smell ? but you may also create displays and show how to use different candles and their accessories in someone's home. Getting ideas for how wonderful a grouping of candles and flowers might look in a bedroom, bathroom or living room will help guests to visualize the same display in their own home ? and increase the chances of you making a sale.

Most experience candle consultants say that it's easy to book parties, and many have said they make more money working part time in their homebased business than they did working full time for someone else.

Of course, there are risks associated with any small business start up. It's important that you do your research and find a reliable and reputable direct sales company to partner with. A good way to start is to check with your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau.

Talk to other candle representatives, and ask for their honest opinion about the company they work for. And of course, like with any small business, it takes work to make it successful. You'll have to keep accurate records, spend time booking and holding parties and marketing your business.

But if you're willing to work at it, it won't be long until you have the sweet smell of success ? and a candle consulting business that you can enjoy and be proud of.