Teach Soap

I'm sorry to bother everyone with what is, most likely, a redundant question. But, here goes:
I started making soap a few years ago. (Love it; completely addicted.) Friends and neighbors started showing up at my door to buy it. Next step: craft fairs. It was only natural to start a business. So, at my very first expo, I got a call back from a bridal salon/spa. They want to sell my soap and toiletries. The first emotion I felt was fear (really). Nevertheless, I scheduled a meeting with the owner this coming Thursday. I need to know what they may want from me, and what I should have with me. I'm specifically concerned about insurance. I label all my products carefully, but what if insurance becomes an issue? Are they liable? Am I liable? How does this usually work? Should I tell them they are my very first large customer? I'm sooooo nervous. Help!

Thanks,
Sarah

If you sell products, even at a fair, you need to have laibility insurance because YOU are liable if some one has a reaction.
I understand that you're nervous, but there's a lot more to running a business than just selling your products. Have you checked into your city/county/state laws about starting a business? Have you registered a business name, gotten the licenses and/or permits you need, etc?

There's lots of great info on this forum about getting started, but it's spread out through many different threads. If you do a search, I'm sure you'll find the answers you need.

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

It is very overwhelming. Just start with 1 step at a time. There are lots of threads about getting insurance up to a sealing. Find out all their info. Then move on to your meeting. My motto is always be honest.
There are lots of steps in this process just take a deep breath and move forward one step at a time. Do lots of fact finding. It is not an easy process.

Rhonda

I would get ALL your paperwork in order before you start selling. The local city hall or chamber of commerce should have more info for you. I don't know where you live, but some counties also require a home inspection.

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

You are the creator - so you are always liable.

Just like supermarkets who sell Coke or Pepsi wouldn't be liable, coke or pepsi would be. Same thing with soaps. You need liability insurance before you sell your first bar - regardless of where you sell it (fair, via a store, from your home, online, etc).

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The Soapinatrix! *whip-crack*
- Posting the trials and tribulations of my Soaping Journey!

I would start with insurance. You don't have to have a business license to be insured.

Then I'd look into the business licensing, state/local regulations, ect.

and don't forget sales tax! You don't have to collect it for wholesale sales (in my state) but for other sales you do, like a craft show or farmers market. A soaper I talked to at a farmers market said they are really starting to crack down on crafters having licenses, mostly to make money, and one market had required license and sales tax info with the application. You'll do fine. Good luck!

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

If you sell less than 5,000 worth of product per year you can get a reasonable price for insurance through RLI. I think a year for me was around 220$. Which was totally worth if for piece of mind.

I am too! Just today someone e-mailed me about wanting to sell my soap in their boutique! I've wanted to sell it at craft fairs and such, but I haven't due to not having insurance. What is RLI? Can someone please direct me to their website? I've heard they are cheaper than the Soap Guild's insurance. I'm going to call the small business development office in my county on Monday when they open.

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