The failure I'd like to describe was my attempt to start a small online business selling handmade candles, about two years ago in Kuala Lumpur. I was working full-time as a receptionist and wanted a side income.
I'd watched a lot of videos and thought it looked simple. I bought wax, scents, glass jars and labels, spent weekends making candles in my tiny kitchen, set up a social media page and opened a shop on a marketplace website. I gave it six months.
It didn't work, for several reasons. First, I hadn't done my research properly; there were hundreds of people selling almost identical candles, many of them cheaper than mine. Second, I underestimated the costs, especially delivery, because glass is heavy and fragile, and several jars broke on the way to customers. And third, honestly, I didn't have enough time. After long shifts, I was too tired to take good photos or reply to messages quickly. In six months, I sold around forty candles and lost about a third of the money I'd invested.
At first I felt embarrassed, especially because I'd told all my friends about it. I avoided the topic for weeks. But over time, I started to see it differently. I learned useful skills, such as basic marketing and how to price products, and I now understand that a good product isn't enough; you need a gap in the market. Last year I used those lessons to help my cousin plan her bakery, and she's doing well. So although the candle business failed, I don't regret trying. I'd rather fail than always wonder.