Teach Soap

I am absolutely nowhere near this, but I was simply curious: If you have some type of wholesale account, or your soaps are being sold retail in a store that is not your own store, did you proactively go out and present your products looking for those interesting in selling your soaps (and other bath/body products), or were you somehow approached by someone (and therefore the business came to you versus you actively going out to seek it out)?

I always wondered this.

Both.

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

Thanks, Irena.

Anybody else?

I am just starting 2 wholesale accounts. They both approached me.

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Carrie
Wife to my Best Friend and Homeschool mom to 7 beautiful gifts

Does it count if my mom approached me about buying some to give as gifts through her business???

I was fortunate enough to be approached many years ago by a local business woman (at a show). Between her recommendations and others that have found me through shows, my commercial accounts grew. To this day I still service those accounts, but I also do a couple shows a year.

I have a good friend who never went to a single show ever. She cold called on some specialty shops and some bed and breakfast inns. She found some that loved her samples and began selling that way. From those, she gained accounts that approached her, instead of the other way around. She has never done a show.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Hi Razorburne

For us it was getting our name out there. Definitely doing Farmers Markets is one of our best source of income and exposure. You can quickly build up a loyal following at a market. We tend to bring more organic and all natural soaps for the Farmers Market as I feel its a better fit, but we do still have a selection of fragranced (FO) soaps. I like to keep it simple at the market, we sell naked soap out of apple baskets. And always do a buy 3 special. This makes moving the soap fast and we often sell out.

Wholesale accounts came to us via shows that we do, I like to try and attend events to promote our company such as local showcase events. Spring & garden events, Christmas fairs etc. At these shows I tend to bring more unique soaps, M&P and "gift" ideas.

We have recently started getting into the lucrative wedding market, selling favours and bridal shower gifts. We just did a local wedding show and the response was insane. For this venue, we took up our new Cakery line and made our table look like a sweets table. We were approached by event planners to carry our line.

Facebook has also become a great way to get advertising and its free. We have pick up about 5 accounts just from Facebook

We also do not pay for any advertising, but if anyone else does here, I would love to hear if it works for you. Don't forget to donate free soap or gift baskets to local charities to get your name out there. Its always a win win situation to promote your business and give back at the same time.

Recently we won The Entrepreneur of the Year Award for our City. I think it was awesome that they choose a soap maker!!! Considering we were up against large corporations. This put us over the top with free advertising and has brought us some attention to other businesses that want to carry some of our line.

For those that don't know me here, I also have a store and at the store resell other soaps not made by us. I tried to make my comments reflect the soap we make ourselves and not from our awesome resellers who can speak for themselves. For the wholesale accounts we carry in our store I actively sought them out. We do get soap makers in here from time to time asking us to carry their brand but most offend they don't have the required paperwork or insurance, or cant keep up with the demand.

Hope this helps, I know I went a little bit off track.

When your ready to sell let me know and I will try and help you. Selling is my specialty, soapmaking not so much, I am NO GURU. But shhh don't tell

Congratulations on such an awesome recognition Margo!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thanks LavenderLady,

I took one for the team (us soap makers that started out in their basements/garages/kitchens)

I was shocked when I heard I won, because I didn't even know we were nominated. Then the stress set in. It was a "gala" event, and this girl (OK I am a grandma) rarely is without an apron and crocks.

They said I could wear a gown, that wouldn't happen so Sears to the rescue.

Then the stress of an acceptance speech in front of 350 business men & women, my peers. With a mic and on a podium, I was shaking in my heels and I hadn't put on a pair of heels in years.

I took my best friend with me as my date, and told her her job was to make sure I didn't have any wine before my speech.

Now that the actually event is over with I can relax and enjoy my award, its a crystal plaque that I display in the store.

It really give us much recognition, and I really appreciate it. Now its my turn to give back. And if I can do it anyone here can. I always say, I am no great soap maker like many of you on here.

I cant help with deciphering recipes, but I can help with the business side, so bring on any thoughts, comments or questions. I am here to help. And sorry if its bad forum etiquette, to talk about yourself and not the person who started this thread.









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Well, I think you were answering the thread and describing what hard work and motivation can give you, so I don't see it as thread hijacking. Beside, I think it is very nice to offer your help. So it's all good!

I am so happy for you and can imagine the nerves you must have had! I am a grandma too and dress the same as you! Lol I have had heels on once in the past 10 years and that was for my Son's wedding. I told my family they had to walk beside me so that they could keep me upright. Only difference was, I told them to make sure I had wine before the wedding! LOL Anyway, now I guess I am hijacking a bit, so I will close. But really, that is so awesome and I am so happy for you!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Wow, such feedback! Thank you so much everyone - I just love hearing how this all has worked for you all, as I plan to one day sell my product as well. Thanks especially to margo and LavenderLady for such in depth responses......and margo, I didn't think you went off track - all the info was great - and very much appreciated.

HAHAHA, Love you LavenderLady and so glad your back!!!

I am happy to be back in my pinny & crocks and getting ready for our crazy busy Farmers Market season. Yes its so much hard work, but its my life and I love it. I can feel your passion too.

Razorburne: Lets make you the next great soap maker we are all here to help. I love seeing soap makers succeed. And sharing.

Love you too Margo & thank you! You can't beat crocs and a pinny! Lol
Razorburne, gotta love that name! You are more than welcome. I almost didn't answer this question cuz I didn't really work too hard at getting my accounts. Which is why I also gave my bff's story. Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time and other times you bust it and bust it and still have to work hard.
But then I thought about all the time that I have put into researching, creating my recipes, and maintaining my standards. All the time I have put in, and all the years that I have had some of the same accounts, and I realized, while I may have had a lucky break meeting someone, I still have had to work very hard to stand and deliver.
So Thank YOU for making me think about this.
And I wish you much success when you do begin selling!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I'm really glad to see you back too, Lavenderlady!!!

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Linda

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

Thank you Sudsy!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy