Teach Soap

I'm new to soapmaking and not thinking of going into business but I'm fascinated with the logistics. Have just been cruising the BB website and reading interviews with soapy entrepreneurs and looking in some cases at their wares. I'm overwhelmed by the skill and talent there is out there! But I have a question for those of you with businesses. How do you keep up with your orders/build up an inventory given the length of time it takes to make and cure a soap? Do you make soap 9-5? Do you have helpers? Do you make enormous batches? Some of those web stores are really full on with their product diversity and volume! Just interested (and very admiring). Robyn (in sub-tropical Central Qld, Australia - weather not always conducive to soapmaking at the moment, very hot)

I live in the desert with triple digit temps (US). I have 600 soaps in stock at any given time. After a while you get the feel of what sells better or faster and learn to make those batches in larger amounts ahead of time. It takes me just as much time to make a 10 lb. batch as it does to make a 20 lb. batch. All my soaps cure for 4-6 weeks. I have a soap room with 7 bakers racks where the soap cure.

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