Are you the type to jump in and think later? That is my personality to a T. So, with that style personality I make many mistakes. I have to go back to my mistake and correct it, using time, energy and money. I wouldn’t suggest for everyone to work this way especially when there is money involved.
Mistake #1 - Not starting your candle or soap business period – I know it sounds silly, but there are many people that get stuck in the planning mode. All planning an no action. They are afraid of taking the plunge and they are afraid of failure.
Mistake #2 - Not testing your candles or soaps before you sell – I did that ONCE and that is all it took to get labeled. I wouldn’t suggest taking that road. Everything needs to be tested before you put a price tag on your soaps and candles.
Mistake #3 - Don’t spread yourself too thin – Don’t go into your business thinking that you have to carry 6 styles of jars in 5 sizes, and that you have to carry and make both soap and candles, that you have to carry every scent under the sun. All your income will be wrapped up in supplies and nothing in your wallet.
Mistake #4 - Don’t feel you have to have all your products stocked up – I would freak out when I thought I was going to run out of a certain product. So, to make sure everyone was happy I would by stock up on the product even if it was slow to sell. I always wanted to make sure I had everything for everyone. Don’t do this. Base decisions on time, money and results.
Mistake #5 - Don’t Customize Too Soon To Everyone - This is why. When you customize you spend more time making customized soaps and candles and not have any inventory on hand. You cannot please everyone. When your business is up and running consider customizing for special events. Customizing is a great way to bring in cash flow when sales are slow. Weddings, birthdays, school fundraisers are a couple events to customize for.
Mistake #6 - Don’t cheat customers to save you money – Yes, we need to be smart in our business, but not at the expense of our loyal customers. If you have a scent that sells well, don’t switch fragrances because another supplier is cheaper. This is a quick way to lose customers fast.
Mistake #7 - Don’t Sell Your Candles and Soap Short- Make an honest effort to include electricity, water, hired help into your pricing formula. It will save you time in the long run if you decide to sell wholesale, or open your own store.
Mistake #8 - Don’t Go Overboard on The Amount Of Fragrance Oils You Carry – I think this is one of the biggest mistakes made. I made this mistake myself. I used to carry around 100 fragrances. My money was tied up in fragrance oils that sat on shelves. A safe amount of scents to carry are 30-45.
Mistake #9 - Copy What Everyone Else Is Doing – It isn’t bad to look at what your competitors are doing. Trust me, they are looking at your products also. The problem lies when you copy what they are doing and try to sell yours for a lower price. There are many niches in the candle and soap business. Find your niche and grow your business there.
Mistake #10 – Don’t start a business Without A Plan – Starting a business without a plan is like a fish without water. The fish will flounder and kick around until they exhaust themselves and eventually die. This is exactly what your business will do without a plan.
When tackling your soap or candle business think of these don’ts. Each don’t will save you time and frustration in the long run. Some of these don’ts may require self discipline like mistake #8. I am always on the alert to not buy more fragrance oils than my business can handle. 
Many Blessings,
P.S. Join our forum. What soap or candle business obstacles are you encountering. Talk with others in the business.