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Business Terms

This glossary of business terms is drawn from the articles found in our Candle Making Business Guides. If you come across a term you're unsure about, or think would be a helpful addition to this page, please email us!

General Terms

Brand

The overall image, reputation, and identity of a business. It includes the logo, colors, messaging, and emotions the business and its products evoke.

Branding

The process of creating and maintaining a consistent image and message for a business across all customer touchpoints.

Bulk Ordering

Purchasing materials or supplies in large quantities, typically at a discounted price.

Business Insurance

A range of insurance policies designed to protect a business from various risks and liabilities.

Business Interruption Insurance

Coverage that helps replace lost income from a business that has had to temporarily close or cease operations due to a covered event.

Business Property Insurance

Insurance that covers damage to a business's physical assets, including buildings, equipment, raw materials, supplies, and finished inventory.

Copyright

Legal protection for original creative works like product designs and website content.

General Liability Insurance

Insurance coverage that protects a business from third-party claims of bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury.

Gross Revenue

The total amount of money earned from sales before deducting any expenses.

Inventory

The raw materials, work-in-progress products, and finished products that a business has on hand.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A business structure that provides personal asset protection and tax flexibility for owners.

Marketing

Activities aimed at promoting and selling products or services to potential customers.

Net Revenue

The total amount of money earned from sales after deducting expenses.

Overhead

Ongoing business expenses not directly tied to the creation of products. Examples include rent, utilities, and insurance.

Product Liability Insurance

Coverage that protects a business if a product it sold is defective and causes harm, injury, or damage.

Profit

The amount of money from sales when revenue exceeds all expenses.

Resale License or Certificate

A document that allows a business to purchase goods wholesale, without paying sales tax, for the purpose of reselling them.

Sales Tax Exemption

The ability to purchase items like raw materials and supplies without paying sales tax, for the purpose of making products to resell.

Scaling

Growing business operations to handle increased demand and production without significantly increasing costs.

Sole Proprietorship

A type of business entity owned and operated by a single individual with no legal distinction between the owner and the business.

Target Market or Audience

The specific group of customers most likely to buy a business's products, usually defined by characteristics like interests, age, location, etc.

Trademark

A symbol, word, or phrase legally registered or established by use to represent a business or product.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Techniques that aim to improve a website's visibility and ranking in search engine results.

Social Proof

Evidence that people have purchased and enjoyed products, such as customer reviews or testimonials.

Marketing

Automated Emails

Pre-written emails sent automatically based on specific triggers or customer actions.

Call to Action

A prompt encouraging a reader to take a specific action, such as "Shop Now" or "Learn More." Typically used in email and social media marketing.

CAN-SPAM Act

A federal law that sets rules for commercial email and establishes requirements for commercial messages, giving recipients the right to stop emails.

Content Calendar

A schedule of when and where to publish upcoming content, including social media posts, blog articles, and marketing emails.

Conversion

The act of a customer taking a desired action, such as making a purchase. In email marketing, it often refers to the percentage of email recipients who complete an intended action after opening an email.

Email Marketing

The use of email to promote products and services, and build relationships with potential and existing customers.

Email Pop-Up

A form that appears on a website inviting visitors to sign up for an email list.

Email Service Provider (ESP)

A company that provides a platform for email marketing services, including tools for creating, sending, and tracking the performance of sent emails.

Klaviyo

An email marketing platform for e-commerce businesses that offers features like automated email flows, customer segmentation, and detailed analytics. 

Landing Page

A dedicated webpage designed to convert visitors into leads or customers.

Logo

A graphical mark or symbol used to identify a brand.

Mass-Market

Products designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers.

Mid-Market

Products positioned between budget and luxury levels that appeal to middle-income consumers.

One-Off Marketing Emails

Single, non-automated emails sent to promote a specific offer or share content that nurtures the relationships between a brand and recipient.

Post-Purchase Emails or Email Series

Automated emails sent by a business to a customer after they make a purchase. They can provide more information about purchased products, encourage more purchases, or request a review.

Preheader

The short text that follows the subject line when an email is previewed in the inbox.

QR Code

A type of barcode scannable by smartphone cameras to access a website.

Return on Investment (ROI)

A performance measure used to evaluate the efficiency of an investment; can be used to compare the efficiency of different investments.

Segmentation

The practice of dividing up an email list into smaller groups based on specific criteria like purchase history, demographics, or engagement level to allow for more personalized and targeted marketing messages.

Subject Line

A short line of text that summarizes the content of an email; it appears in the recipient's inbox next to the sender's name.

Tagline

A memorable, usually short, phrase used in marketing to reinforce a brand's key message.

Transactional Emails

Automated emails triggered by specific customer actions, such as order confirmations or password resets.

User-Generated Content (UGC)

Any form of content created by users or customers of a business, such as reviews, social media posts, and photos featuring products.

Welcome Email or Welcome Series

A single automated email, or a set of emails, sent to new subscribers or customers to introduce them to a brand.

Pricing

Cost of Goods (COGs)

The direct costs associated with producing a product, including materials and labor.

Fixed Cost

Expenses associated with a business like rent and insurance that remain constant regardless of production volume.

Margin

The difference between the selling price of a product and its cost to make, often expressed as a percentage.

Mark Up

The amount added to the cost of a product to set its selling price; can be expressed as a percent, multiplier, or flat amount.

Perceived Value

The worth that a customer believes a product has; may differ from its actual cost or market price.

Price Point

The price at which a product is marketed and sold.

Variable Cost

Expenses that change in proportion to production volume, such as raw materials and packaging.

Product

Bundles

A group of products sold together as a single unit, often at a discounted price.

Collection

A group of related products designed to be marketed and sold together.

Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA)

A U.S. law requiring consumer product labels to provide accurate and specific information about the product, its contents, and the manufacturer.

Main Label

The primary label on a product containing essential information like the product name, net weight, and manufacturer name.

Net Weight

The weight of a product itself, not including the packaging or container.

Outer Packaging

The exterior container or wrapping that protects the product and often includes branding and product information.

Portfolio Pack

A selection of products packaged together that showcases a collection or full line, often used for wholesale or marketing purposes.

Product Description

A written explanation of a product's features, benefits, and specifications.

Product Line

A group of related products marketed under a single brand name.

Sampler Set

A collection of small-sized versions of products that allow customers to try multiple items.

Subscription Box

A service where customers receive a curated selection of products on a recurring basis.

Warning Label

A label that provides important safety information or cautions about a product and its use.

Selling

Brick and Mortar

A traditional, physical retail store, as opposed to an online store.

Buyer

A professional responsible for selecting and purchasing products for a retail store.

Commission

A fee paid to a salesperson or sales platform based on the amount of the sales they generate.

Consignment

An arrangement where a retailer sells products on behalf of a maker and pays the maker after the items sell.

E-Commerce

The buying and selling of goods or services via the internet. Shortened version of electronic commerce.

Exclusivity

An agreement between a wholesaler and retailer that stipulates the retailer will be the only party to sell a brand's products in a certain area, market, city, or zip code.

Line Sheet

A document for potential retail buyers outlining a brand's products with wholesale prices and ordering information.

M-Commerce

The buying and selling of goods or services online via mobile devices. Shortened version of mobile commerce.

Marketplace

An online platform where multiple sellers list and sell their products.

Order Minimum

The smallest quantity or dollar amount a wholesale customer must purchase to place an order.

Pitch

A proposal to introduce products to a potential buyer or retailer with the end goal of making a sale.

Point of Sale System (POS)

The hardware and software used to process customer transactions in a retail setting.

Pop-Up Event

A temporary retail space or event where products are sold for a limited time.

Private Label

Products manufactured by one company and sold exclusively under another company's brand.

Promotion

Marketing activities designed to increase product sales or brand awareness.

Retail

The sale of goods directly to consumers, typically in small quantities

Sales Channel

A method or platform through which products are sold to customers, such as online stores, retail shops, craft fairs/markets, or wholesale.

Sales Platform

A software system or website that facilitates the selling of products online.

Sales Representative

An individual who sells products on behalf of a company, often to wholesale buyers or retailers, for a commission.

Shopify

A popular e-commerce platform that allows businesses to create online stores and sell products.

Terms and Conditions

The rules and guidelines that govern a relationship between a business and its customers.

Trade Show

An event where businesses in a specific industry showcase and demonstrate their products to potential buyers, and take wholesale orders.

White Label

A product made by one company that other companies rebrand and sell as their own.

Wholesale

The discounted sale of goods in large quantities, typically to retailers who resell the items to consumers at a higher price.