Bad economy- time to start a business!!

When I woke up this morning, I was really tired. Not looking forward to work, feeling a little under the weather (another damn cold), and just wanting it to be the weekend again even though technically speaking I don't really get one (since I'll be working). I think a lot about the economy and the importance of the upcoming election since I have now been working two jobs for the past year+, and have recently started a business with a good friend. I just don't think it should have to be this way. I went to college and did well. I won't waste time whining about this, but things need to change in a big way. I know myself, and I know I can keep doing this. But what about single mothers out there? What about the elderly? Many people I know have lost tens of thousands of dollars in the stock market in the past year alone. It's already ugly, and I feel like we haven't even seen the full extent of the ugliness thus far. Lots of small businesses are closing up under the increased costs of doing business and decreased consumer spending. My friend Andrea's parents have owned a hot sauce store ever since I've known her, and I think they are seriously considering closing due to these problems.

So what do I do? I start a business. I and my business partner spent the evening tonight (as we have nearly every night for the past 3 months) pouring candles and wondering when, if ever, we'll actually turn a profit. Maybe never. This may turn out to be the most expensive hobby of all time (and I used to scuba dive!!). We started this little business simply because we love good candles and scents and because there is something to be said of learning age-old crafts. Word of mouth has been huge, and we already have trouble stocking enough product to fill orders. I am not complaining because that's awesome...we just have a lot to learn about small business. Since both of us are in health care, neither of us has a business degree, which would have come in handy right about now. Even in the short time we've done this, we've seen prices for our raw materials increase significantly. We spend probably close to 25% of our material costs on shipping. And even though the price of soybeans is MUCH lower than it was 6 months ago, the price of soy wax keeps increasing (criminal if you ask me). What gives? If prices continue to increase, we'll be forced to raise prices, and then people will stop buying and we'll be done before we've even really begun. Unfortunately (or fortunately), I am kind of an optimist in that I always think things will work out somehow. We'll see, I guess.

My dogs are snoozing on the floor beside me, which reminds me I really need to hit the hay.