I finally accepted that my custom candle making business failed due to poor market timing.

Back in 2010, selling handmade candles on Etsy was lucrative because platforms favored small creators. I expanded too quickly, investing in bulk supplies without researching seasonal demand shifts. When summer hit, sales plummeted because nobody wanted spicy autumn scents in July. I stubbornly held onto inventory, hoping for a rebound that never came. Now, seeing how data analytics dictate success, I realize my old-school intuition was flawed. The side hustle game has evolved from passion projects to calculated risks. My failure taught me that adaptability trumps tradition every time.

2 comments

2 Comments

emmah4216h ago

Okay, I'll admit it. I was totally in the camp that thought if you loved what you did, the sales would follow. But hearing about your spicy autumn scents gathering dust in July is a brutal wake-up call. Like, I remember when my friend tried selling knit scarves in May and wondered why no one was buying. Your point about data analytics is spot on; it's not just about making stuff anymore. Adaptability really is key, even if it means putting the pumpkin spice candles on hold until fall.

the_blair9h ago

Remember when we used to say if it was handmade well, it would just sell itself? I totally believed that. Then I watched a buddy's amazing wooden cutting boards sit unsold all spring because he launched right before grilling season. It hit me that the best product in the world needs the right moment. Now I get why your candle story stings so much, it's that same tough lesson. Good stuff has to meet people when they actually want it.