- Case Study
How a Handmade Candle Seller Turned Her Hobby into a 6-Figure Etsy Brand
Project info
Client Name:
Alyssa Ray
Category:
Etsy
Project:
Hand-Poured Soy Wax Candles
Brand:
HearthLight Candles™
Background
Alyssa Ray, a 31-year-old stay-at-home mom from Vermont, had been making soy candles in her kitchen for years—gifting them to friends and selling a few at local craft fairs. When her seasonal scents started gaining popularity, she realized Etsy could help her reach a broader audience. But she had no idea how to manage high-volume sales, inventory listings, or brand presence across digital platforms.
Alyssa partnered with Ecom Automation Wizards to turn HearthLight Candles™ into a scalable online business—without sacrificing her brand’s handmade charm or quality.
Challenges
- Lack of SEO knowledge and listing strategy
- Difficulty managing inventory, especially during holidays
- No brand consistency across packaging or listings
- Manual order processing caused delays and customer service strain
- Needed high-quality product images and reviews for Etsy algorithm ranking
Our Approach
1. Brand Identity & Packaging Overhaul
We helped Alyssa rebrand her shop with:
- A cohesive visual identity (earth tones, soft fonts, rustic label design)
- Custom packaging inserts with scent stories and care instructions
- A new tagline: “Light for the Heart. Calm for the Home.”
2. Etsy Store Optimization
Our team performed full listing audits and created optimized listings using:
- Keyword-rich titles (e.g., “Vanilla Soy Candle | Hand-Poured | Cozy Winter Gift”)
- Seasonal tags and curated scent bundles (e.g., “Holiday Trio Set”)
- A+ lifestyle photography featuring candles in real home environments
3. Inventory Automation & Holiday Readiness
To avoid overselling during peak seasons, we integrated inventory management tools that synced with Alyssa’s production calendar. We also introduced batch production schedules and early-bird holiday order campaigns with countdown timers.
4. Customer Reviews & Social Proof Strategy
Results:
- $62,800 in total sales
- 3,100+ candles sold across 7 scent categories
- Top product: Lavender Eucalyptus Candle – 900+ units sold
- Store rating: 4.9 stars with over 460 reviews
- $2.81 average CPC, 11.3% ad-driven conversion rate
- Repeat buyers made up 38% of monthly sales by month 4
5. Etsy Ads & Seasonal Promotion Strategy
Our marketing team set up:
- Etsy Ads with low-competition, high-conversion keywords
- Seasonal gift guides (e.g., “Self-Care Sunday” bundles, “Hostess Gift Sets”)
- Cross-promotions through Pinterest and Instagram with “Shop on Etsy” links
Key Takeaways:
- Artisan Quality Needs Automation Support: Alyssa’s handmade process stayed intact while automation tools handled the backend.
- Etsy Loves SEO + Visuals: Optimized listings and professional photos gave her the edge over other handmade shops.
- Holiday Readiness Is Crucial: Inventory planning and early promotion helped HearthLight own the seasonal gifting space.
- Customer Care Drives Growth: Fast shipping, follow-ups, and thoughtful packaging encouraged glowing reviews and repeat sales.
Testimonials
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