Teach Soap

So, I soap for fun. But I soap a lot. Small batches, never bigger than 4 lbs but my soap starts piling up. And, as you know, soaping can get expensive. I have been giving my soaps out to family and close friends for about 4 years now but I'm thinking that now is the time to start getting something for my work. I'm not looking to make money, just looking to offset the cost of the oils I buy.

My question is, how would you broach the subject of getting paid for your soap? Has that time past? They all tell me I should sell them but no one has offered to pay............

It can be hard to start charging people for something they have been getting for free. Especially if it is family and friends.
Perhaps you might want to get into a couple of local craft fairs/markets, and make it known to your family and friends that you are doing that.
That puts the idea in their heads that you are expecting money, and that the soaps you make can be sold to other people.

Then, the next time they ask for soap (they do ask, right? because if you are just offering, then all you have to do is stop offering! lol)
- anyway - the next time they ask, tell them that most of your inventory is set aside for the markets, but you're willing to make them a special deal/give them first crack at them - something to that effect, to ease the transition, but still give them the idea of a money/product exchange.

By the way - I think that 4 years of free soap is pretty generous!!

Mmm, I like how you worded that: "most of my inventory is set aside for the markets..." Brilliant!

You're right, in the beginning I offered and gave it away. Now they ask outright. Again, I love to give these soaps to people because, in the first place it feels good to give something so small but beautiful/useful. In the second place, it's nice to have made something that people actually want. But, dang, I'm hemorrhaging money!

I've kicked around the idea of doing some of the small, local fairs/markets. I just don't know how to go about getting started.

Thanks for the ideas and advice!

If and when you decide to do some of the small, local fairs/markets, go to your local city hall and see what is required to sell. You might need a sellers' permit, a resale license and a liability insurance. You will also need to collect taxes.

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

You are so right, soapbuddy. I bet in practice it is simpler than the theory in my mind. That stuff just intimidates me.... Also, if I decided to do one in a different city, would I have to approach that city's local government as well? (same state).

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

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

Thanks for the tips, guys. You sure give me a lot to think about.

If actually selling at a local market is a bit too much right now (in terms of paperwork, etc) then just PLAN on selling...then you can still tell your family and friends of your plans, and that "most of my inventory is set side for the markets."

Hopefully they will get the idea

When I went from hobby to selling with my soaps & candles, I just told my family and friends that the costs of my supplies were rising and I had to start recouping those monies and charge them for the items. I gave them prices and no one actually had a problem with paying. They still got an occasional freebie, so they were happy.

I priced out my costs per bar and even if I just charged them that I would be happy.

How did you guys make the transition from hobby to selling? Did you start an online shop? Start at small craft fairs? Went all in and did BIG fairs?

I'm really intimidated by the taxes involved, getting the licensing, picking a name, let alone "branding"! Maybe this reticence is a sign I should just stick to hobby soaping and just bleed money!

I just gift my soaps. But if I did sell... I would offer my soaps at cost to family. At this point every now and then someone in the family will bring me a bottle of olive oil, or a rubber spatula. If someone asks if they can pay me I still say no... but you could say... " I am almost out of powdered goats milk( or another item).... if you go to the grocery store I would accept that."

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Susie
Sometimes A Mistake is so much fun, You just have to do it again!

I don't really sell but my mom likes to give my soaps out to her friends so she pays me for the materials. It helps. You may just in casual conversation mention how expensive your hobby is getting, maybe they will get the hint.

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Haven

I appreciate you guys and your advice. Thank you so much.

I contacted a local farmer's market that is near my home. It is small right now and needs more vendors. They are excited to have a soaper but they kinda cooled a little bit when I told them I don't have enough stock ready to sell right now. I told them I'd be really interested in participating in their Fall Festival but when I asked when it was, they replied that they're not sure yet. Mmmm. I hope that when they get a date in mind they can give me enough heads up to prep.

Anywho, that's the word on the street for today! Thanks for listening and being great people!