Teach Soap

Right now I have only been making soap for fun and for my household, but my friends are now begging me to make soap for them (they would pay me the cost of making the soap plus some extra for my labor). I am wondering what the steps are to make legal selling a small amount of soap to friends. I assume that if I operate on the barter system--i.e. I give soap and I get fresh eggs from a friend who has chickens--I wouldn't need to do anything special, but once I start accepting money and making some profit I would need to look into a business license. Is that right? Does anyone else sell on a very small scale and could give me advice--or refer me to a good website--on how to go about doing this legally? Thank you!

As soon as you start to sell you will need a business license and liability insurance. Go to your local city hall and find out exactly what is required. Some places also do a home inspection.

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

Thanks for the advice.

See this I find so confusing...if I sell stuff on Craigslist, ( not soap) I don't need a business license, but if I sell some soap I do???
Still so much to figure out.

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

I would like to chime in here. Yes, get a business license/seller's permit and general liability insurance. You should research business and sales taxes, as well.

Also, take care when labeling and marketing your soap to avoid them from being regulated like cosmetics. Unless, of course, you can back up any claims you make with scientific evidence. Read up on this for starters:

http://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/guidanceco ... 074201.htm

Finally, I have found that etsy is a great way to start selling online. It's a wonderful service, at a low cost.

Above all, have fun!

ps - regarding Craigslist, you can can indeed sell your soap there without a business license, but it doesn't mean that it's legal. Selling used, personal items is a different story.

Best of luck,

Sue May

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Sue May Yen
Soapy Soaps
www.soapysoaps.com
www.etsy.com/shop/soapysoaps

I am looking at insurance quotes and they told me the cost of an inspection too. Anyone know how I make my home look right so I pass it? I have no idea what they look for. I make soaps and lotions too.

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

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

Any soapmakers in this forum sell in South Carolina?