Teach Soap

How would you feel if you had a soaping business and a relative decided they wanted to have a soap business too after seeing your work? Would you be taken aback or flattered? How would you handle the situation?

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Amber D that'd be me!

How close by does this relative live? Close enough to be competition? If so, I would find that a bit hard to take. If this person is insensitive enough not to realize that you might be offended, then they're probably not the kind of person who would take a gentle hint. So do you want to risk a big family thing with people taking sides, and ending up not speaking to one another? Or do you just want to continue doing your thing and making better soaps than this person, who obviously has little creativity or they would have come up with their own idea?

A friend of mine once went to a small soap shop in the town where she lives and mentioned to the owner that she had a friend who made soap too, and mentioned the name of my business. The owner said "OMG, I bought some of her soap at a craft fair, and that's what inspired me to open my own business!" I was really flattered, little craft show soaper that I am, that someone would be inspired enough by my soap to open their own soap shop. That was, until I googled her website and looked at her list of ingredients.....lots of filler oils, nothing you would want to use if you knew what makes a really good soap. I've since heard that she is out of business. So just because someone tries to copy you, doesn't necessarily mean that they will succeed. You can only do what you do and do it well. That being said, I think it really sucks!

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Amber D that'd be me!

I'd say you did the right thing. If they want to make soap, let them make soap. No big deal. Time will tell whether or not they actually enjoying making soap as much as they thought they would. Sometimes people think they want to do something, and then after they've tried it decide it's not for them. Sometimes, they really love it and keep going. Sounds like they were inspired by your work, and you can take pride in your soaps! If I was in your place I'd just say, "Great! Make some soap," and just keep doing what I love, not letting it bother me for any reason.

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Olivia :)

Half way across the country makes a difference. You won't be meeting up at the same craft fairs, that helps a lot. Not everyone is creative enough to come up with their own ideas, sadly. But as Stoked mentioned, most people don't know all that goes into making a great bar of soap, and once they find out, many decide it's not for them. Hopefully, if this person sticks with it, she will develop a style all her own, and you can end up being soaping buddies as well as relatives.

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Olivia :)

The more the merrier, I say. The relative can be someone you share recipes with, talk to about formulas, get (and give!) inspiration, and so on. When everyone else is sick of talking soap, she'll be there!

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Lesli Sagan
Avital's Apiaries
Like us: http://www.facebook.com/AvitalsApiaries

Try not to stress =). If they try to copy you exactly you are already miles ahead and if they go a different route, then great!

Best of luck. It will all work out

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Hold On To What You Love And When It Tries To Buck You Off ... Hold On Tighter.