Teach Soap

I'm curious what people's thought process have been when making the decision to sell their soap.

I have been making soap for more than 10 years, but always as a hobby. Over the years many people have told me I should sell my soap but I was never really interested for a number of reasons. I always felt that my soap needed to be absolutely perfect and consistent before I did that. Plus, there is tremendous competition where I live (and maybe everywhere) and so I would always talk myself out of it. At craft fairs, I would see plenty of soap that was as nice as mine but lots more that seemed way more "professional" with fancy displays, a big product line (95% of what I make is soap only) or gorgeous packaging. The whole process of making the decision to sell and then executing that decision seemed rather daunting. I love to make soap but I'm not a natural business person.

Recently I made a ton of soap for my wedding, to give away as favors. I was so pleased with them. I thought perhaps I would finally take the plunge and start selling them so I calculated the cost to make them and looked into a business license. The business licensing was very complicated and expensive. It seemed like a huge investment for something I wasn't sure would even work.

I had a good bit of extra wedding soap laying around so I thought I would sell them at my neighbor's yard sale to test the waters, so to speak. She had a good turn out for the sale but I did not sell a single bar. That was very discouraging. These are really nice bars and the price was reasonable. I realize people don't shop at yard sales to buy soap but considering where I live (an area that would, in general, support something like this) and the amount of people who passed by, it has made me reconsider.

So I guess the point of this is to get thoughts on how you made the decision to sell your soap and what specifically you did to start.
Peggy

Hi Peggy! I would say first and foremost that you have to WANT to sell your product. It can't be a maybe thing. Then you have to look for your *niche* - your target market. If there's a lot of competition at fairs, etc. could you wholesale your soaps as private label soaps to a few area boutiques? You need to do a lot of research to find your market if you live where there's lots of competition. You have to have something that sets you apart from everyone else.

I donated a bunch of my soap to our church for their annual yard sale and hardly any of it sold, even at only $2 bar. So don't feel bad about that. Evidently yard sales aren't the place to sell soap!

If you are happy making soap as a hobby and giving it away and don't need the income (what little there is) from selling soap, then don't try to make it into a business. Because once it becomes a business, soapmaking may not be fun anymore.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

10 years should be long enough to get a formula that you like and that other people like as well. Yard sales are not a good place to sell. Sign up for a local craft fair and see how well that works for you. Some people prefer traditional rustic soaps and there is a market for both types.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I do love making soap and I have recipes that I like to work with which I can modify easily too. I think my goal in having a business would, at least initially, be to pay for my hobby rather than make money. Plus, all my friends and relatives are already well stocked with soap. I think a big part of it is a confidence issue. Confidence that I could make something people would want to buy and confidence that I have the skill to start a business.

I know I make good soap. Soap is one of the few areas in my life where I am a perfectionist. It's the other areas that are tricky. I wish there was a local mentor who could guide me but I don't know if that exists.

marketing is also a big factor as to why you didnt sell any soap at the yard sale. if you were selling your soap, you would selling your soaps and finding places to sell where your customers actually are. dont let that little bit of it discourage you!

Check the small business association website, they can hook you up with mentors in your area. Also, check your local universities and community colleges, they often have small business classes and mentors available, not to mention student union craft sales!

There are lots of possibilities out there, and you shouldnt feel pressured to sell your soap, but if you like doing it already and are confident in your recipe....taking the plunge sounds scary at first, but it could also be one thing that can completely change your life!

I want to sell my soaps eventually, Im taking it slow, but I dont want to become rich, I just want to pad my retirement, pay off my student loan quicker, maybe buy a new car and take a few trips. Im doing this for the experience for myself. I want a way to interact with my fellow humans in a way I actually can - I realize now I dont have to change THE world, I just need to change MY world, and making soap and eventually selling it is becoming increasingly easy.

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Kristen D. Vineyard
visit my blog http://washwithvegetables.blogspot.com

I would like to add one thing. Don't underprice your soap! Make sure to include all your costs (including item's shipping).

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.