When is it OK to copy another business? Please help

[candlebusinessidea]

I’d like to start making candles and make a business out of it hopefully , I’ve done some research and watched YouTube videos of how to make candles, there’s a few candle businesses on social media I like. I love their concept, one makes candles based on your memories.

AIBU to copy this concept? But everything else will be different, packaging, labels, candle holders etc?

I’m sitting here thinking, there are so many businesses doing the same thing. When is it OK to copy and when is it not? For example, Uber have competitors like Lyft ( America) Bolt etc, all offering the same thing.

What do you think? I don’t want to be accused of copying, but where is the line?

Why would you want to? Why would I go to you and not them? Surely you’d be better off riffing off part of the concept to develop your own offering

I mean, there are hundreds of candle companies doing that exact same thing - so I think the company in question would have a hard time saying you directly copied them.

But what will make you stand out from all the other candle companies doing the exact same thing as you? I buy a shit ton of wax melts and as a result I'm often bombarded by adverts online from similar companies - they all look very same-y with the same type of scents, colours etc.

What will make you different?

I think it depends on wether you’ll have the same customers as this business (is it local, or Etsy?), and how unique their concept is. I don’t really understand what this concept is or wether you’d be able to rip it off by watching YouTube, but if it’s a very unique idea and it’s mostly just them doing it then it’d be very shitty to rip it off. If it’s just like everyone else doing candles then that’s different.

Candles are such an over saturated business that I think it’s probably near impossible to be completely unique with what you make and sell.

That said, how would you feel if you came up with a great idea and someone hustled in on your business?

The market is already over saturated. That and resin shit is as common as the MLMs now. Why not find something new and Interesting?

Honestly copying other businesses is really crappy. Find your own USP. I used to run a very unique business and I always found it ridiculous how many copycats there were, every time we innovated it never took long before they started copying our new stuff! Just get your own ideas.

To be honest without your own USP you are just a copy brand so why buy from you a new start up than and already established business.

It's shitty to copy an idea / selling point like that.

I'm also a bit concerned that you've made it sound very simple that you've watched a few YouTube videos to learn how to make candles. Have you looked into all the legality around health and safety, scientific product testing, allergy issues, liability, labelling?

My friend runs a candle business and it's so much more than just pouring nice smelling candles.

It's really hard to come up with new ideas that hasn't already been done.

I'm in the UK, they're abroad so don't think we'll have the same customers.

Regarding a USP, I was thinking of offering subscription down the line? they don't offer this.
But this is just an idea

Sure, go ahead and copy if you are absolutely fine with being known as the woman who copied her business idea, by literally everyone you know and who I suspect you will want to support your business.

You will get more respect and support if you find your own USP, branding etc. You will respect yourself more.

@candlebusinessidea

It's really hard to come up with new ideas that hasn't already been done.

I'm in the UK, they're abroad so don't think we'll have the same customers.

Regarding a USP, I was thinking of offering subscription down the line? they don't offer this.
But this is just an idea

You do know there's loads and loads of memory candle business right?

You don't have to open a business. If you haven't got an idea or you're not good enough yet just sit on it and brain storm more.

It's not a unique enough concept to be a copy, tbh! The candle market is hugely over saturated and really tough to crack.

I know of an excellent candle business that boomed over lockdown but has since closed as the market is just so crowded (lots of people enjoyed diy candle kits in lockdown and decided to start making / selling without much business experience which meant they often priced low as they weren't really forecasting, more selling for enjoyment) and the great business I know just didn't want to have to continually price match people using less premium ingredients as it ate into the profit margin so much it wasn't worth it.

Have you done a proper business plan? Worked out how to scale the business? Looked into how you would market it - Google ads / social media / influencers etc?

If you need this project to make money rather than being a hobby then you need to be hugely prepared to tackle a very crowded market.

I work in marketing I'm also a small business owner (seperate businesses) I wouldn't position it this way.
Instead I'd think about your own USP.

Candles based on memories is quite generic - could it be memories of holiday? Childhood smells? Could you offer someone the opportunity to build their own scent?

Start with what makes you special and different. Don't start with how you're similar. Why would someone buy from you over others?

Hope that makes sense

Aldi do it all the time. As others have said, why not take the concept and tweak it to give you something unique.

I really wouldn't open a business right now due to the rising cost of living & bills in general. People will be cutting back on luxuries & candle subscriptions won't be top of the essentials list.

Candles can bought from anywhere and it's not an original concept. How will you finance the business & is it going to be your main source of income?

There seem to be quite a lot of women in my village making candles and melts whatever they are.. It seems to be a flooded market everywhere now.. I personally don't buy any candles. My cottage is very small, and I have three cats wandering around, and don't want to risk them knocking a candle over. or swishing their bushy tails near one, and get a singed tail.

Forget the ethical element for a minute. If this idea is easy to copy then lots of other people will be copying too. And if this is a business concept that you can learn from watching YouTube videos, then your potential customers can also watch these videos and have the fun of making their own candles at home.

Seriously. This is a hobby, not a business.

iggybox.co.uk

There's already companies doing candle subscriptions.

There's already companies doing memory candles.

None of it is unique I'm afraid. You'd need to be unique really to get anywhere other than by hassling people. Nothing wrong with doing it though, but I think you'd lose money.

Have you ever made candles before?

Nobody is interested in lots of candles. They are not unique or exciting ( I say this as someone who buys candles). I buy them from shops where I can hold and smell them. I would never buy candles online.

Regarding a USP, I was thinking of offering subscription down the line?

That particular company may not offer subscriptions, but thousands of others do - I buy from a company that's done monthly subscription boxes for years now. You need to find something that means people will pick you over the thousands of other established candle companies out there.

I run a dog walking business. There are several in our area but we all succeed because a) there are lots of dogs out there and b) we all offer slightly different services so we don't really need to fight over customers.

For example, Company A specialises in off-lead group walks of 5-6 dogs, Company B specialises in evening walks, and I specialise in smaller grouped and paired walks.

We all have a slightly different market and so we appeal to different people, and that's key to our success. We all do well and we're all full. If you don't have a USP, why would someone pick you over someone more established and experience?

You say you have watched Youtube videos. Have you actually tried making them? I make scented candles for my friends and it's not always as easy as it looks.

The major drawback about starting a business at the moment is the massive increase in the cost fuel etc. A lot of people will be cutting back on non-essentials like candles.

A candle is a candle. I don’t think you need a USP. You need nice branding, a nice scent and the right price.

I think you need more than that, tbh.

I mean, there are hundreds of companies out there already selling thousands of scents of candles. Why would I buy from a new start-up when I can buy from an established company whose scents I already know I like? I know, for example, that I don't like Yankee Candle as their scents give me a headache, but I do like TheLittleWaxBoxCo. I wouldn't risk buying from a brand new company when I know I can buy scents I like from a company I trust already.

Someone else has already pointed out that this isn’t something you would buy online without being able to feel and smell it first.

Hmm, I buy my wax melts from a company with no physical shop - it's all online and they do very well with excellent customer service, a great refund policy, lots of choices and a solid, interactive social media presence.

I don't like all the scents I buy but they have a Facebook group where you can speak to other shoppers and trade scents etc, or sell on half-used scents you're not a fan of which means I don't mind taking a risk.