Teach Soap

Hi All,

As I go through the steps to potentially go from hobby to business, one nagging question keeps weighing on me: am I going to actually make a profit or am I going to just cover the expenses of my "habit" lol I know this is a rather personal question, but if anyone is willing to share IN VERY GENERAL TERMS (I don't want anyone sharing information that is too personal!) whether they are in the red or in the black or breaking even, that would be helpful in making my decision. You can private message me if you want. If this is too personal a question, just pat me on the head and skip over it

One note on my plan: we have an operating farm. I have a pretty steady stream of people that come to buy fresh eggs and so my hope is to have a display set up where people come to purchase the eggs (most of whom are women). I'm not looking to do shows/markets at this point.

Thanks for any information you might choose to share. Again, I understand if this is too personal question to answer-no harm, no foul.

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BrookeLynn

"Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway."

I can't answer your question, but I can suggest you check out the Etsy forums - specifically the "business topics" section. There is a huge treasure trove of information there going way back. Many, many crafters have shared their experiences...in great detail...including "do you really make money with your craft?" - there always seems to be a thread on that subject. Many issues cut across crafts and relevant to all - some people practically write books on the subject via the forums.

Good luck!

I'm going to start with the short answer that no, I'm not making money. Then I'll go on to explain.

When I started my business in April of 2011, I had HIGH expectations, I didn't realize how much competition was out there. I ran into some personal issues that set me back, and it's only really been since about April of this year (a full year after I first started) that I've been able to put full my effort into my business. If you have a market already pinpointed (which you do!) then it seems like you might break even.

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~Krystal~
Sweet Destiny Candle Company

I have been trying to find a farmers market, really several that I can rotate through, to sell at. Most of them already have soap vendors and dont want anymore. The ones that want me dont have much traffic. Its a balancing act really. I have been networking family, friends, associates, the lady behind me at the grocery store. My son (26yo) laughed at me when he went shopping with me, I was passing out cards to everyone I talked to that day. He said, "Mom, you are really pimping yourself there". My response was "Of Course, how else am I going to sell all that soap?"

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Dawn

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BrookeLynn

"Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway."

I also took a bunch of my cards to local businesses..I found quite a few of them had places for other businesses to display cards, I did that a few weeks ago, kept track of where and how many cards, and once I get some free time I'm going to go back around and see how many are left.

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~Krystal~
Sweet Destiny Candle Company

I started selling my soap a year ago and am just now getting to the place where I can pay for ALL my supplies through the business account. Making money? Nope. Having fun? Absolutely!

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

I for sure do not have an answer for you since I only do this as a hobby, but have wondered this same thing myself. I have been asked to sell but am reluctant as I have two part time jobs as it is. My thought is that there would have to be quite a bit of volume sold to get into the black. So for you I would consider it a plus since you can do it without much trouble and see how it grows. And what would be the problem if you 'just break even' if you love making the soap.

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

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

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Linda

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

In very general terms? Yes, you can turn it into a business that makes money. I know this less from my own experience (I'm primarily a beekeeper, with sundries as an add on in the last 8-12 months), but from others in my local area. You have to bust your soap, you need to wholesale to a bunch of different outlets, and/or do a lot of fairs or farmer's markets. Or really busy ones--one beekeeper I know goes to a NYC farmer's market every weekend, and he sells (among other things) 500 bars of soap a month, and could sell a lot more, if he could produce it. Another local soaper does the farmer's market, and is in a couple dozen stores. As far as I know, she makes a living. Another is photographer, but makes soap as a sideline. So a lot depends on the outlets in your area, your product and how it appeals to that local market, and how much soap busting you're willing to do.

I'm building slowly, because I have a 4-year-old, and I work when she's in pre-school. That gives me about 5 hours a week day to make soap, balms, tend to 20 hives of bees, and do other things that one can't readily do with a small child around. Evenings and most weekends are family time. And that's fine--I'm happy to grow slowly, and as she needs mom less, I can do more. That's how I'm choosing to grow my business: always moving forward, but not like I would if I were 25 and single and childfree. Different dynamic!

I need to find a business forum, I swear! This stuff is really interesting to me.

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

You can make money. You won't get rich, but I'm in the black. I didn't start tracking my expenses until May when I decided to sell. I started selling on July 17, and I have already recovered my expenses. I've done heavy marketing on Facebook and at work.

I have my first wholesale contract with a store that I'll start supplying in October. I'm doing my first street fair on Sunday. I spend about 25 hours a week making soap, labeling, marketing, etc. But I also have a partner who spends about the same amount of time. Most of that time we are working together.