Google

Do You Really Know What You're Buying?


Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a popular gift show in my local area. My purpose in attending this gift show was to scope out my competition and the quality of their soy candles compared to what I offer. I was truly surprised with the results of how many candle exhibitors were present and was more so surprised with the results of how well they didn't know their product.

Now my results are in no way to badger the company in anyway, but to open the eyes of our consumers, the results are:

Candle Exhibitor #1:

This exhibitor stated that they're soy candles were handmade. I was told that their soy candles burned great had no soot or mushroom build up and had an awesome scent throw. Well, fortunately the exhibitor had several candles burning and I notice on their candles that the wick that was chosen had a lot of mushrooming and a little bit of soot build up and no scent throw unless your nose was directly above the flame. Speaking of flame, the flame on these candles was high and had a wild burn, which can be a fire hazard.

Candle Exhibitor #2:

This exhibitor informed us that she handmade her candles as well, but honestly the candles appeared to be machine poured because every candle look the same and had no imperfections. When candles are handmade properly, there are imperfections that actually make the candle perfect because it gives it a unique design. With handmade candles no two are alike. My business associate was asking various questions to see if the soy wax was compatible with essential oils. This vendor kind off "skated" around the question and wasn't too sure. We were offered a sample of the candle where I later tested the candle. This particular votive candle was actually made using palm wax and then burned all the way down in 2 ½ hours. That's the fastest burning candle I have ever seen. When this vendor found out that I was a candle maker, her eyes had gotten wide and at that point wanted to end the conversation. It's interesting how one candle maker can be intimidated by another candle maker.

Candle Exhibitor #3:

Lastly, this exhibitor primarily advertised that their soy candles can also be used as body oil and that you can deep your finger in the candle while the candle is burning. Well, Kandle Indulgence highly suggests that you don't put her finger or anything near and open flame serious injuries can occur. Yet again, my business associate asked the question concerning essential oils and/or what type of essential oils did their company use. She kept saying the fragrances come from flowers, but the question was what type of flowers, are these essential oils? Finally, after the exhibitor couldn't fully explain the company's product and was getting caught up in lies she basically said "I don't know." My question is "if you make the candles why wouldn't the candle maker know where the fragrances come from and what type of fragrances is used?"

In the seven years that I've been making candles I have received positive and negative feedback always concerning the scent throw of my candles and I took those negative comments and turned into positive feedback by constantly studying and researching my product also doing a lot of testing. Although other research was conducted from other exhibitors the three mentioned above sums up the most important part of a business?know your products, business and to be honest to your consumers because you never know who you may meet.

Jameel Nolan
Kandle Indulgence Co.
Handmade and Custom Designed Gel & Soy Wax Candles

Website: http://www.kandleindulgence.com

"The Creativity is within You"

MORE RESOURCES:

RELATED ARTICLES

Woodworking Tools: Right Selection And Care Will Save You Money, Part 4
Woodworking: Tools Of The Trade, Part 4 - Tools For ShapingA civilization's maturity and intelligence is judged, in part, by the diversity and sophistication of its tools. When it comes to woodworking, the human race is quite advanced.
How To Create A Collage Journal
Creating a collage journal is a unique and fun way to personalize and enrich your journal. Making a collage journal is something that everyone can enjoy.
How To Make a Pinata
MATERIALSA Large Round or Oval BalloonNewspaper, torn into 1 inch by 6-8" inch stripsWhite computer paper or paper towels, torn into stripsFlour and water mixture for paper mache pasteSaltVegetable oilPaintTissue paperCrepe paperString or yarn for hangingINSTRUCTIONSPrepare:Prepare your work surface with a layer of newspaper you can discard, or an old plastic tablecloth you can wipe clean of goop and glops which are part of this messy project!Tear several pages of newspaper into strips, approximately 1 inch wide by 6-8 inches long. Don't try to be neat and cut them with scissors; the torn edges will adhere more closely and give a smoother overall surface to the finished pinata.
Baby Boomers Need Creative Practical Hobbies
"Well how are you really enjoying your retirement?" I asked out of interest, "it was great to start with" he said, but lately, I've just become kind of lost..
Jewelry Insurance - Hints and Tips So You Dont Get Ripped Off
As crime and drug use increases, the risks involved in having Antique and Estate Jewelry just lying around your home seem to treble. It becomes a nightmare and you find you are just not sure what to do.
How to Make Gel Candles - 11 Easy Steps
Do you love burning beautiful, scented candles? And do you know that you can easily make them yourself? It is exciting and not at all difficult. Here are 12 easy steps to creating unique candles that you can burn at home, give as gifts, or even sell.
Preservation and Making Copies of Your Scrapbook
You put a great deal of time, thought, and effort into your scrapbook pages. Scrapbooks often are very personalized creative works that are very meaningful to the creator.
Amish Furniture for Kids Summer Projects
Summer is coming, and the kids will soon be out of school. Mom's and dad's everywhere will soon here "I am board; I don't have anything to do.
An Easy Way to Understand Your Collectibles
What kind of gifts you often receive? Is it toy dolls, animal figurine, antique, pottery, game, memorabilia or something you consider as a collectables? Well, what ever it is, as long as it pleases you, those entire gifts are full with memory which you then consider as a collectibles. Gifts and collectibles are not contradicting each other; instead they are supplementing each other.
Saltwater Coral Reef Aquariums - 5 Tips for Success
Do you dream of watching the natural beauty of the undersea reef life while sitting in your living room?Whether your goal is a nano reef tank or a 150 gallon aquarium with an ecosystem of coral and saltwater fish, the following five tips will lead you on your way to success.1) Commit! Decide you are going to spend the $$ it takes to make a proper go of it.
Green Thumb Not Required
Ah, the sweet smell of fresh flowers, herbs and fruit. But what if you don't have room for a flower garden or a fruit tree? What about if you always over or under water your herb garden? What happens when your house just doesn't get a lot of sun? And what about when you try and try but you just don't have that coveted green thumb? Sigh.
Leather Work Tips
For leather work, consider the basics: an awl and spare point, a retractable X-acto knife and spare blades, a retractable knife with a break-off blade and a rotary punch. In addition, you'll need needles, a lump of beeswax and some waxed linen thread.
Embroidery Machine Use by New Owners for Good Results
Many new home embroidery machine owners have to learn on their own with little instructions and thus have to resort to the "trial and error" methods to get satisfactory results. One can certainly learn to embroidery this way but it takes time, money and patience.
Create A Gift Basket For A Dog Lover!
The choice of what gift to give your family and friends can often be a difficult one. One of the best gifts that you can give is a gift basket.
Using Your Dogs Hair
Dog hair (called chiengora)can be spun into yarn, much like sheeps's wool, alpaca, or any other animal fiber. The process is the same.
A Look at Cloisonné Lapel Pins
Cloisonné lapel pins are the most traditional, if not the most collectible of the lapel pin types. Most of the older lapel pins are either die-cast metal or cloisonné.
My Greatest Stamp Find
I have been involved with stamps nearly my entire life. My first collection was as a ten-year old boy collecting with my neighborhood buddies.
Handmade Quilts are Made with Love and Make Great Family Heirlooms!
Today's handmade quilts are more like a work of art than a bed cover. With all the wonderfully artistic quilt patterns available to quilters today, we are beginning to see some absolutely breathtaking quilts glowing with character and personality.
Making Beaded Jewelry Is Easy to Do
Making beaded jewelry is an inexpensive and fun hobby that nearly anyone can do. The materials needed are readily accessible and cost very little money.
Easy Steps to Scrapbooking with Young Kids
Kids grow up so fast and if you don't try to capture some of these wonderful memories through some means, they'll all slip through the fingers just in a snap. And scrapbooking is a fabulous way to preserving those memories, by combining the photos and journaling of your kids.