Teach Soap

So... I've been wondering how those of you who own your soaping business, how you started? Is your business registered with your state? Do you have business insurance? Would I need these things if I was only looking at participating in a few craft shows? Is there anything I may be overlooking?
Thank you for any advice or even personal experience stories!

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Tamra
New to soaping, long time crafter and artisan, avid learner of new things!

I'm also just getting started selling my soap. There are already several discussion threads on this forum with lots of info about starting a business. Just do a search to find them. A lot of what you need to do depends on your state regulations. Business insurance is a must have! RLI has good rates.

In TN you don't need a business license to sell at craft shows, etc. and you don't need to collect sales tax if you make less than $3,000 a year. Having said that, I want business insurance so I am going to get a business license listing me as sole proprietor so I can claim any income from soap sales on my regular tax forms and not have to do anything special. Under TN law, if I sell my soap through a website I'm required to collect sales tax from certain states and that has to be reported. So, I'm not going to sell via a website.

You also need to check with your town/city codes to determine if you can have an in-home business where you are located. Some areas restrict the type of business you can operate from your home if you are located within city limits as opposed to outside the city limits.

Good luck!

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

Check with your local chamber of commerce or city hall. Every state is different.

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

Yes, I have my business register and insured.

I started my soap business 6 years ago as a hobby mostly MP. Started out in my kitchen, then moved to the garage, then built a soap kitchen in the basement.

Did years of craft fairs and trade shows. Built my own loyal customer base. Bought out a fellow soap makers company and took on his customer base.

Busting at the seams finally purchased a brick & mortal store front, and rebuilt the soap kitchen in the basement of the storefront.

Still making about 25% of product, but mostly contract out the soap making . Managing the business take up most of my time, and I work LONG days. Not complaining, its like a dream come true seeing my business from my kitchen microwave to a storefront.

Love to hear other personal experience stories too!

Margo, that is such a cool story! Thanks for sharing.

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

Margo- that is such an inspiring story!
I don't think I'll ever get there until after my husband retires (we're a military family and move a LOT). I have a feeling I'm not really going to be able to get started in this endeavor because of all the moving around. I'll have to constantly redo my business every time we move (every 3 years or so). But I'm going to keep researching. Sounds like not only do I have to deal with federal and state laws, but also military laws for running a business out of an on-base house... nothing good ever comes easy ^_~

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Tamra
New to soaping, long time crafter and artisan, avid learner of new things!

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