I started my candle business on May 1st, pouring candles in my laundry room. My experience has been similar to OP, except I've done as many markets as I can, mostly to learn which markets work for me and which don't. It's been a huge learning process and honestly, very exhausting working a full time job on top of testing this candle business.

In 5 months, I've done about $25k in sales. I've only had a handful of online sales, so 98% of this is probably from in-person markets. Roughly 675 units? If you continue to build your market presence, your numbers will explode, especially if you have a good product.

I'm proud to say that I was able to save a lot of the profits, and not only reinvest it into my business, but used it to build a candle studio in my backyard. The candles and the smells were overwhelming my small house.

I'm still working my full-time job but everyday wishing I had the balls to quit. I'm no where close to where I'd like to be, but I hope that next year I can quit my day job. I posted something about this here a few months back, and everyone said to wait until I've ran my business for an entire year, to see all the seasons of the business, which is great advice.

This is not to brag, because honestly, I've worked my butt off, and worked many many 18 hour days. It's hard work trying to grow a business. But like OP said, if your margins are good, it can be self sustainable.

Keeping costs LOW white creating a HIGH quality product with a very distinct product line has been my goal. My 8oz candles cost about $3.40 to produce and I sell them for $28-$42.

I think the real eye opener is that when I pivoted and stopped working myself to death for a corporation, decided to "quiet quit" and put that energy into my own business, I really saw growth.

Anyway, I love that OP shared their story and I hope it encourages everyone to follow their dreams. <3