I do plan on selling once I learn more but the thing you said about having to pay for costs even if it is a hobby... perfect. My husband gives me a hard time for giving soap away for free. Definitely going to have to “ eat it “ and show him this video! He’ll be glad to know I finally understand what he was saying 😂
It's not always that simple. Depends on your particular set up with the business. Sometimes it 4x markup. If you plan to wholesale, that changes things too. It's different for everyone.. Lol
Only in some cases. It can be 3x or 4x. Some products require way more thought due to labor, production costs, materials, little nuances that are unique to your product, etc.. But, if you're leaving room for selling wholesale and retail for a fairly simple product, then 4x is going to work better generally.
I learned something else from you. Just my 3rd video today and I liked everything you said. Were you a teacher? You explain everything so simple and you cover all the bases.
I worked in special education for a local school district for about 8 years. Not really a teacher but i did work with teens :) Thanks for watching and the kind words!
@@simplymoonchild3908 I know you will this last year and may have had to question answered since then, but I'm gonna answer so other people can see it. Depends on how much you make/sell. If you only make a little, a cheese slicer should do. If you plan on a lot, wire cutters are pricey but might be worth it, as long as you know you'll use it. With those, though, really do your research to make sure you'll need or want it, though. They're something like $200 a piece!!!! 🤪🤪🤪🤪
Thank you Uncle Jon for your simple cost analysis. I'm starting a craft product business and I was scratching my head how to price my products. This helps me big time. Thank you again!
I just found you Jon! I love your common sense approach. I have soap hobbied about 20 years', there was no internet then, to be business savvy, but now more info. I'm doing my homework, the maths side is really the hard work! hopefully will get there and launch later this year luv n light x
x2.5 for wholesale should cover all your cost. x4 for retail. Those are fair prices considering all what is involved to manufacture your product. For big wholesale orders then you have some room for price negotiations with your clients…
Thank you! I will try your strategy. Another strategy that was online, gave me a selling price of $98, for only 1 Keychain! NO ONE is going to buy a Crocheted Keychain, for that amount!
I work in a crew of two. A trainee was along recently, & he has a landscaping business. This guy's no uber-genius, but I was peppering him w/ questions about how he knew what to charge (he often submitted & won lucrative municipal bids). This's always fascinated me. Thanks!
Hi Jon. Thank you for your response. I live in the US. I have Home Depot and Lowe’s in New Jersey. I will take your advice about the Lye. At least now I have a brand name. I was nervous about buying the wrong brand to make cold process soap. So thank you so much for the info. I love your calculator tutorial. I also enjoyed your pricing video. Well, I’m not going to (Lye) lol....I like all of your videos. They are wonderful and informative. I had no idea about pricing and a lot of other things you teach. Maybe this weekend, I can take the time to break out the pricing. I want to make soap for myself but also sell it. I want to start with one of your recipes that you so graciously reveal in one of your videos. Again, thank you for your kindness in sharing what you know. I appreciate it. I hope I can ask you more questions and that you don’t mind. God bless you Jon. Thank you. Maria
I've just started learning the basics of soap making, with the intention of turning it into a business someday. Your videos helped a lot in raising my confidence about pricing the soaps. Thank you so much! A subbie now. :)
Hi, I am originally from New York. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Jersey many many years later as an adult. Toms River NJ is very different from the city life, but I like it. Still miss New York though very much so I visit the city a lot. I have never been to Mt. Holly but have heard it is very nice. Where do you live Jon? And I can’t wait to try to cost out soaps and expenses. Going to follow your cost video. I started making melt and pour last December, but I want to do cold process. It’s better. Once I get confident with that, then I want to try making other things like detergent. You’re the best. No need to watch other videos people. I’m sticking with Jon. Lol
First.. Thanks for watching! We used to spend parts of our Summers in Tom's River! Island heights to be exact. There was a small closer of Summer cottages does near the yacht club where that old pavilion burned down (again). West camp walk was the street name. Loved that little area! I think you'll be fine doing CP soap. It's not too difficult unless you try to make it that way... Lol. Just take your time in the first few batches and have fun with it 😁. Mt. Holly is ok I guess. It's had some major ups and downs through the years but it's still where I came from. Glad to have you on our channel! Feel free to ask questions and Todd me dinner ideas if there's anything you would like to see in video. Cheers!
I appreciate the video. As for ink printing a label. What I did was note my ink level before I printed a label, Then I printed a sheet of labels and noted my ink level again and saw the difference. I then just put the cost of the ink and the ink level used on my spreadsheet and it figures out everything for me and adds it in the cost of my soap. So, as a result, Now I can make any size recipe and every little thing I do while adjusting my recipe and size, it tallies the cost for me and that includes ink. Very handy. I don't have to stick to the same size bar to know the cost. Although, my sales are from person to person and I only wish I could mark mine up 4x. I just figured that out. That would mean my normal $4 bar would be $6.40 Also, one more thing. I also tack in the cost of my shipping supplies. If I recieve $100 worth of oil, I enter in all the normal info but I also enter in the cost of shipping so if a bottle of spearmint costs me 33.95 and the shipping was 12.78 now my new cost for that bottle is 39.36 because it was factored into percentage size of orders. Meaning if that bottle was 30% of my shipping cost now that price is raised accordingly on my spreadsheet so I get my money back. That is included also as I adjusting my recipe. Very handy to have for pricing.
Good breakdown! I'd like to add that when you're pricing, you need to look not just at the price you pay for the materials you use, but also the cost of getting those materials to your shop. If you buy a bucket of oil for say $50, but it costs you $20 for delivery, then really the oil costs $70. "Cost of goods sold", etc.
Exactly! I probably should have spelled that out a little more clearly. I use the total cost of that product. So if it's shipped, that is part of my cost, if I buy something retail (gasp) then I include the sales tax I paid out of pocket. Thanks!
Makes you appreciate the value of buying in bulk! I used to make and sell candles, it helps to break the price of all your ingredients down to cost per gram, makes calculating your finished product a lot easier :)
Yep! I do it by ounces because I'm too stubborn to learn metric right now..lol. But I find that if I break it down like that it is easy. Just have to make sure I watch for price changes throughout the year 😁
Oh sorry Jon. I didn’t see the last part of your response that I can ask you more questions questions. And yes, your response helped a lot. I’m googling Ace stores in Jersey. I’m sure they exist lol. Thanks again. Have a blessed day.
Oh my goodness. My mind is so blown it's about to leak out my ears. My shop goes live next week and I was using 6 different calculators and averaging the outcomes. I didn't just calculate time to make the product, I calculated everything from start to finish. From the trip to the store to buy the yarn to writing, editing and posting the listing for each individual scarf. WHOLESALE put me over $150. Retail was astronomical for a scarf that's not made of gold. I went along, however, because the calculators and blogs were encouraging. Get paid for your time, it's valuable. Just because you wouldn't buy it (I'm frugal) it doesn't mean that someone else won't. As I set up to go live next week, I started wondering if something was off. I got to this video because I was searching for whether or not to charge for the entire production, from getting in the car to buy the yarn to uploading the listing to Etsy or just the time to actually make the item. Then I watched this and I hear what you said about time, and I'm flabbergasted. But the price when I calculate things makes more sense. This question hit me after watching this ten times and then reading the comment 5 times. As craftsman, we're selling goods, not services unless we're doing custom which may be different. But if you're not custom, could it be said that when we add in time, we're charging for goods AND services? Much to think about but I may have to run with your advice.
Yep.. if I calculated all my time in then each bar of soap would retail for over $20🤣. We make our money after the sale. I agree it should be looked at, but if we nickle and dime everything into each product, we would never be able to compete with the market at all. Now, if I'm doing custom work that's a different ball game. So, how long does it take you to make one of your scarves.. including the trips to get materials. If it's more than an hour to an hour and a half, then it's going to be tough unless you're in a very affluent area. Or.. if your scarves are something that's set apart and more unique then what people can get from other creators. You said your scarves were pricing at roughly $150 each? So, that means your time and materials are $37.50 right?
@@unclejonssoap Oh my goodness! I started my shop last Wednesday and got my first sale yesterday! And the lady wants two more scarves! I can't help but wonder how eager she'd be for more scarves if I set the scarf at the original price of 187.00 for that particular kind. Based on all the other calculators and blogs and vlogs I would have done it with reservations, figuring they were the experts. If I didn't see your video at what was practically the midnight hour, I don't think I'd have this really encouraging start to my little business. THANK YOU for such practical and reasonable advice!
I needed this , I've just started out! I also want to learn to make soap and candles etc. Most off the stuff I make are out off socks and cotton wool and they get shipped abroad . Thank you!!
The rarity of the product and how many you want to make in a given time, should also factor in. In my case, I'm by myself and I don't want to be bombarded with orders. Therefore I'm multiplying my cost to make times 8.
Thank you. I make model kits (figurines). I see everyone including labor costs with complex formulas. But those formulas only work if you are making stuff that only costs a few bucks to make like jewellery or gift cards. My product would be too expensive, I'd struggle to sell. My material costs are so high I only multiply by 3, otherwise my market will shrink.
Thanks for the great video as I am just getting started, I am wondering what you consider a wholesale order as far as volume is concerned? Is it mixed items because since soap is usually 6 weeks to wait that would take awhile. Blessings to you!
people keep saying to i need to average my time in, funny though, I enjoy making it so much I don't feel like its a job. I am about to launch my product in June and the only thing I don't like to do is sit at the computer and make labels. :( But because I am starting out with low start up cost I know its mandatory. Thank you for the video, found you this morning and now I'm up to 4th video.
very cool and extremely informative. some of the websites out there also tend to offer suggestive retail prices below some of their kits that they have available.
Hi, you are fantastic and wonderful to share your knowledge. I love your straightforward approach and no nonsense explanations. Just simple and right to it. I am learning a lot from you even though I have not made my first batch of soaps yet. I want to watch ALL of your videos. But where should I buy and what brand lye? That is was stopping me from making the soap. I want to keep it simple like you do. God bless you for all you do. Thank you so much! Maria
Hi Maria! Thanks for watching. So... That's Tricky Weston depending on where you live. If you're in the US, I can help with that. Locally, see if you have an Ace hardware store. They tend to sell Red Devil lye and it's 100% sodium hydroxide. If they don't carry it (near the plungers) then I would go on Amazon and look for Essential Depot sodium hydroxide. I'm not sure if the price is better on Amazon or directly from essential depot. I would compare both. I love that I can get my lye from them in pre portioned 2 pound bottles. Even though I make a lot of soap, it makes life easier with storage and not opening too much at one time then having to transfer 50 pounds of lye to buckets..lol. I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions 😁
I love all the advice and simple breakdown of cost to create the pricing for a product. And I'd love to know which printer you use (that supplies so many multi task). Thanks.
Awesome! Glad you got something from it :) Hopefully, I can keep it going! Do you have anything that you want to see explained? Just let me know and I'll see if I can get it done. Thanks!
Sometimes I sell my soap to myself. This is nice because I can charge anything I want since I'll be the one collecting the money. I just took a shower with a $6T bar of soap, and man do I feel good.
Very helpful, thank you!~ Can you talk to us about how to develop customers when starting out? Not everyone can dive right into a website for example. Do you feel this industry has room for new makers, since just on here on RUclips, there are so many, much competition? Thanks again !~
Thank you. Love the simplecity in your way of thinking. Can you help me with some essential oils supplies. I am nieuw in soap making and I live in Holland.
When I click plus.com it shows the website of communication provider not wholesalesupplies website. Are you sure this is the address? By the way I like your video. I just stumbled on your video. Now I am subscribing to your channel. I live in Bali, Indonesia.
thank you so much for sharing!!! I work a low wage job and want to start my own business... I have been saving up for a while and making and selling my own soap sounds like a great investment! I have a very creative vision for my own soap. I would just love to know where you buy your material from. I assume you buy bulk correct? I love your videos! keep it up :)
+Salvador Suazo Congrats on starting your own business! As for materials, you'll have to shop around and source things by quality and price according to your location. It varies depending on where you are located, what you can have shipped to you, and what you can source from other local business owners. Good luck and thanks for watching!
It's part of the overall cost. If I buy 50 lbs of coconut oil for $40 and the shipping is$10 (totally made up numbers) then the coconut oil actually costs me $50. It's the easiest way to work it. So now when making my recipes, I break that down to the cost per ounce, etc.. And, honestly... Most shipping is actually pretty reasonable for what I get. Sometimes you have to buy a little more stuff to even it out or shop a little longer to find some better deals.
Hello there....which web site or store do you buy your soap making products wholesale? I would like to buy tallow and essential oils (wholesale) thanks
Uncle Jon, Can you give me some advice on Insurance. I sell at a local fair twice a year currently, I would like to sell on line. I`ve been reading a lot of how you want to invest in some to protect yourself. What do you recommend? Thank you by the way for all your help. :)
I would look into joining HSCG (Google that and the Handmade Soap and Cosmetic Guild comes up) The membership is reasonable and has some good resources. It also allows you to get decent business insurance. You'll have to look at the types of memberships and policies to determine how deep you want to go with the insu6. But if you go fill package it should be less than $600 for the year all in with the membership.
Awesome video....only thing I can think of that you didn't mention is I incorporate my shipping costs into my ppb...some ingredients are expensive to ship! Your last video on trolls had me rofl!! Keep up the good work !
Do you mean getting stuff shipped to you? I always figure that as part of the cost of goods. Shipping my stuff to customers, they pay for..lol. Thanks for the kind words. I was late getting another jerk video up :)
Yes, stuff shipped to me. My customers also pay for shipping. Always enjoy your videos, love what your thoughts are on the small business soaping industry. Soap on :)
![Digital Circus Episode 4 [TRAILER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/abZtsmMUbJo/mqdefault.jpg)
I do plan on selling once I learn more but the thing you said about having to pay for costs even if it is a hobby... perfect. My husband gives me a hard time for giving soap away for free. Definitely going to have to “ eat it “ and show him this video! He’ll be glad to know I finally understand what he was saying 😂
Ha! Well.. I just hate to see people lose out on their hard work 😂
This is the most common sense formula I've seen online yet. You get paid a fair price without pricing yourself out of the market.
You are so cool. Easy to listen to, and full of good info....always!
My grandfather taught me as a child. It's 3x your cost.
That covers your cost.
Your time and your profit.
DONE.
It's not always that simple. Depends on your particular set up with the business. Sometimes it 4x markup. If you plan to wholesale, that changes things too. It's different for everyone.. Lol
I was gonna say mark up standard is 3x
Only in some cases. It can be 3x or 4x. Some products require way more thought due to labor, production costs, materials, little nuances that are unique to your product, etc.. But, if you're leaving room for selling wholesale and retail for a fairly simple product, then 4x is going to work better generally.
The real killer is over head....in all business. Red or Black...
I learned something else from you. Just my 3rd video today and I liked everything you said. Were you a teacher? You explain everything so simple and you cover all the bases.
I worked in special education for a local school district for about 8 years. Not really a teacher but i did work with teens :) Thanks for watching and the kind words!
Uncle Jon's ......hi, what type of cutting tools should we use to cut our bar soaps once it’s cured/harden ?
@@simplymoonchild3908 I know you will this last year and may have had to question answered since then, but I'm gonna answer so other people can see it.
Depends on how much you make/sell. If you only make a little, a cheese slicer should do. If you plan on a lot, wire cutters are pricey but might be worth it, as long as you know you'll use it. With those, though, really do your research to make sure you'll need or want it, though. They're something like $200 a piece!!!! 🤪🤪🤪🤪
@@unclejonssoap for a girl who has autism, I found it easy to understand you:) that never happens a lot lol
Uncle Jon... you're the best... thanks for your videos
You are such a kind teacher
Thank you! It’s my first time selling and concerned I will charge to much or to little . And want to be fair . I’m overthinking it all 😂
It happens all the time. I still second guess myself sometimes even with my voiceover work and other RUclips channels...lol
You are the soap yoda!
lol.. thanks sir!
I am back again another cost down and profit margin learning so much from you,I am just a new person going to start my own biz
a billion thanks
Thank God your explanation is so simple❤❤
Thank you Uncle Jon for your simple cost analysis. I'm starting a craft product business and I was scratching my head how to price my products. This helps me big time. Thank you again!
Awesome!
I really like you videos, you make it very simple and easy to understand!
I just found you Jon! I love your common sense approach. I have soap hobbied about 20 years', there was no internet then, to be business savvy, but now more info. I'm doing my homework, the maths side is really the hard work! hopefully will get there and launch later this year luv n light x
x2.5 for wholesale should cover all your cost. x4 for retail. Those are fair prices considering all what is involved to manufacture your product. For big wholesale orders then you have some room for price negotiations with your clients…
Thank you! I will try your strategy. Another strategy that was online, gave me a selling price of $98, for only 1 Keychain! NO ONE is going to buy a Crocheted Keychain, for that amount!
I work in a crew of two. A trainee was along recently, & he has a landscaping business. This guy's no uber-genius, but I was peppering him w/ questions about how he knew what to charge (he often submitted & won lucrative municipal bids). This's always fascinated me. Thanks!
Again, viewers, click on the "gear" icon, select "Speed" & crank this to 1.5x. Perfectly listenable.
Hi Jon. Thank you for your response. I live in the US. I have Home Depot and Lowe’s in New Jersey. I will take your advice about the Lye. At least now I have a brand name. I was nervous about buying the wrong brand to make cold process soap. So thank you so much for the info. I love your calculator tutorial. I also enjoyed your pricing video. Well, I’m not going to (Lye) lol....I like all of your videos. They are wonderful and informative. I had no idea about pricing and a lot of other things you teach. Maybe this weekend, I can take the time to break out the pricing. I want to make soap for myself but also sell it. I want to start with one of your recipes that you so graciously reveal in one of your videos. Again, thank you for your kindness in sharing what you know. I appreciate it. I hope I can ask you more questions and that you don’t mind. God bless you Jon. Thank you. Maria
I've just started learning the basics of soap making, with the intention of turning it into a business someday. Your videos helped a lot in raising my confidence about pricing the soaps. Thank you so much! A subbie now. :)
Fantastic! Thanks for watching! Glad you got something from my ramblings 😁
You make everything simple...thanks
Love these videos, great to see in through the windows of your business.
Thanks! I love what I do :) I also wish there was someone there to explain these things to me when i was starting out..lol
Wow very good info, . I have friends wanting me to make soap favors for them again ❤️ and in am wanting to charge them correctly.
Thanks Unvle Jon, you make it so simple
Thank you so much, you've simplified everything for me...been struggling with pricing.
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge.
Idk u had a channel. I'm subbed now. This man is the sweetest person and the fairest. Loved busting your shop and it smells awesome. Yay
Thanks!
Hi, I am originally from New York. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and moved to Jersey many many years later as an adult. Toms River NJ is very different from the city life, but I like it. Still miss New York though very much so I visit the city a lot. I have never been to Mt. Holly but have heard it is very nice. Where do you live Jon? And I can’t wait to try to cost out soaps and expenses. Going to follow your cost video. I started making melt and pour last December, but I want to do cold process. It’s better. Once I get confident with that, then I want to try making other things like detergent. You’re the best. No need to watch other videos people. I’m sticking with Jon. Lol
First.. Thanks for watching! We used to spend parts of our Summers in Tom's River! Island heights to be exact. There was a small closer of Summer cottages does near the yacht club where that old pavilion burned down (again). West camp walk was the street name. Loved that little area! I think you'll be fine doing CP soap. It's not too difficult unless you try to make it that way... Lol. Just take your time in the first few batches and have fun with it 😁. Mt. Holly is ok I guess. It's had some major ups and downs through the years but it's still where I came from. Glad to have you on our channel! Feel free to ask questions and Todd me dinner ideas if there's anything you would like to see in video. Cheers!
As always straight to the point ,And you explain everything very well .😊
The best costing advice I have ever heard. Harry whyte wood turner
Thanks uncle Jon
Great explanation Jon! Well done. I love the KISS principle. So many times, people make it more difficult than it has to be.
I appreciate the video.
As for ink printing a label. What I did was note my ink level before I printed a label, Then I printed a sheet of labels and noted my ink level again and saw the difference. I then just put the cost of the ink and the ink level used on my spreadsheet and it figures out everything for me and adds it in the cost of my soap. So, as a result, Now I can make any size recipe and every little thing I do while adjusting my recipe and size, it tallies the cost for me and that includes ink.
Very handy. I don't have to stick to the same size bar to know the cost.
Although, my sales are from person to person and I only wish I could mark mine up 4x.
I just figured that out. That would mean my normal $4 bar would be $6.40
Also, one more thing. I also tack in the cost of my shipping supplies. If I recieve $100 worth of oil, I enter in all the normal info but I also enter in the cost of shipping so if a bottle of spearmint costs me 33.95 and the shipping was 12.78 now my new cost for that bottle is 39.36 because it was factored into percentage size of orders. Meaning if that bottle was 30% of my shipping cost now that price is raised accordingly on my spreadsheet so I get my money back. That is included also as I adjusting my recipe. Very handy to have for pricing.
Good breakdown! I'd like to add that when you're pricing, you need to look not just at the price you pay for the materials you use, but also the cost of getting those materials to your shop. If you buy a bucket of oil for say $50, but it costs you $20 for delivery, then really the oil costs $70. "Cost of goods sold", etc.
Exactly! I probably should have spelled that out a little more clearly. I use the total cost of that product. So if it's shipped, that is part of my cost, if I buy something retail (gasp) then I include the sales tax I paid out of pocket. Thanks!
Makes you appreciate the value of buying in bulk! I used to make and sell candles, it helps to break the price of all your ingredients down to cost per gram, makes calculating your finished product a lot easier :)
Yep! I do it by ounces because I'm too stubborn to learn metric right now..lol. But I find that if I break it down like that it is easy. Just have to make sure I watch for price changes throughout the year 😁
Your a great teacher ❤️
Thanks!
Explained in very simple way. Thank you 😊
Oh sorry Jon. I didn’t see the last part of your response that I can ask you more questions questions. And yes, your response helped a lot. I’m googling Ace stores in Jersey. I’m sure they exist lol. Thanks again. Have a blessed day.
Very cool! What part of NJ? I grew up in the Mt Holly area mostly. South Jersey 😁
I'm learning alot, thank you
Oh my goodness. My mind is so blown it's about to leak out my ears. My shop goes live next week and I was using 6 different calculators and averaging the outcomes. I didn't just calculate time to make the product, I calculated everything from start to finish. From the trip to the store to buy the yarn to writing, editing and posting the listing for each individual scarf. WHOLESALE put me over $150. Retail was astronomical for a scarf that's not made of gold. I went along, however, because the calculators and blogs were encouraging. Get paid for your time, it's valuable. Just because you wouldn't buy it (I'm frugal) it doesn't mean that someone else won't. As I set up to go live next week, I started wondering if something was off. I got to this video because I was searching for whether or not to charge for the entire production, from getting in the car to buy the yarn to uploading the listing to Etsy or just the time to actually make the item. Then I watched this and I hear what you said about time, and I'm flabbergasted. But the price when I calculate things makes more sense. This question hit me after watching this ten times and then reading the comment 5 times. As craftsman, we're selling goods, not services unless we're doing custom which may be different. But if you're not custom, could it be said that when we add in time, we're charging for goods AND services? Much to think about but I may have to run with your advice.
Yep.. if I calculated all my time in then each bar of soap would retail for over $20🤣. We make our money after the sale. I agree it should be looked at, but if we nickle and dime everything into each product, we would never be able to compete with the market at all. Now, if I'm doing custom work that's a different ball game. So, how long does it take you to make one of your scarves.. including the trips to get materials. If it's more than an hour to an hour and a half, then it's going to be tough unless you're in a very affluent area. Or.. if your scarves are something that's set apart and more unique then what people can get from other creators. You said your scarves were pricing at roughly $150 each? So, that means your time and materials are $37.50 right?
@@unclejonssoap Oh my goodness! I started my shop last Wednesday and got my first sale yesterday! And the lady wants two more scarves! I can't help but wonder how eager she'd be for more scarves if I set the scarf at the original price of 187.00 for that particular kind. Based on all the other calculators and blogs and vlogs I would have done it with reservations, figuring they were the experts. If I didn't see your video at what was practically the midnight hour, I don't think I'd have this really encouraging start to my little business. THANK YOU for such practical and reasonable advice!
Outstanding! Congrats on a great start!
@@unclejonssoap thank you! :0D
I needed this , I've just started out! I also want to learn to make soap and candles etc. Most off the stuff I make are out off socks and cotton wool and they get shipped abroad . Thank you!!
Cost accounting used to send me into twitching eyes and fetal position (hardest course in accounting)
You've summed the entire semester in 10 minutes.
The rarity of the product and how many you want to make in a given time, should also factor in. In my case, I'm by myself and I don't want to be bombarded with orders. Therefore I'm multiplying my cost to make times 8.
Thanks for the video Jon! Always good to see you :)
+Tracey Standridge thanks!
Excellent guidance sir !!! Many thanks for your clear explanation
Thanks!
Awesome Advice for sure! Thank you!
Love your videos very helpful for a new soap maker! Thank you. Do you have a preferred lye calculator? If so possible a video on that!?
I tend to stick with soapcalc.com since I've been using it the longest. I've done a video on that for regular soap and shave soap before 😁
Ty UJ!!!
Brotha I love your videos thank you for your help.
Thank you for making this video :) I'm getting ready to launch my website and revamped my whole pricing list. It felt like the right thing to do
Excellent video Jon.
Thanks!
Thank you. I make model kits (figurines). I see everyone including labor costs with complex formulas. But those formulas only work if you are making stuff that only costs a few bucks to make like jewellery or gift cards. My product would be too expensive, I'd struggle to sell. My material costs are so high I only multiply by 3, otherwise my market will shrink.
Correct question is how you define your cost. Thank you for all the tutorials. Learn a lot from your clips
Thank you for your information. Very good explanation on all aspects of figuring out cost/pricing.
Great information Jon. My granddaughter loves her lavender bath soap. I'll be ordering more down the road. See you soon.
Very cool! I'm glad she likes it!
Thanks for the great video as I am just getting started, I am wondering what you consider a wholesale order as far as volume is concerned? Is it mixed items because since soap is usually 6 weeks to wait that would take awhile. Blessings to you!
This helped me understand what to focus on with pricing.
Very helpful thank you
Just stumbled upon you, making my hot process to eventually sell. Thanks for the great advice!
Congrats!
people keep saying to i need to average my time in, funny though, I enjoy making it so much I don't feel like its a job. I am about to launch my product in June and the only thing I don't like to do is sit at the computer and make labels. :( But because I am starting out with low start up cost I know its mandatory. Thank you for the video, found you this morning and now I'm up to 4th video.
very cool and extremely informative. some of the websites out there also tend to offer suggestive retail prices below some of their kits that they have available.
Thanks!
Wow you made it so easy to understand for me thanks a lot for your information in your time
Hi, you are fantastic and wonderful to share your knowledge. I love your straightforward approach and no nonsense explanations. Just simple and right to it. I am learning a lot from you even though I have not made my first batch of soaps yet. I want to watch ALL of your videos. But where should I buy and what brand lye? That is was stopping me from making the soap. I want to keep it simple like you do. God bless you for all you do. Thank you so much! Maria
Hi Maria! Thanks for watching. So... That's Tricky Weston depending on where you live. If you're in the US, I can help with that. Locally, see if you have an Ace hardware store. They tend to sell Red Devil lye and it's 100% sodium hydroxide. If they don't carry it (near the plungers) then I would go on Amazon and look for Essential Depot sodium hydroxide. I'm not sure if the price is better on Amazon or directly from essential depot. I would compare both. I love that I can get my lye from them in pre portioned 2 pound bottles. Even though I make a lot of soap, it makes life easier with storage and not opening too much at one time then having to transfer 50 pounds of lye to buckets..lol. I hope that helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions 😁
Shoutout from Singapore! Thanks for sharing your experience and wisdom!
I love all the advice and simple breakdown of cost to create the pricing for a product. And I'd love to know which printer you use (that supplies so many multi task). Thanks.
Love all of you video.Simple and clear.Very Helpful
Congratulations
Very good advice
Very helpful video! You make it so easy to understand...much appreciated!
Awesome! Glad you got something from it :) Hopefully, I can keep it going! Do you have anything that you want to see explained? Just let me know and I'll see if I can get it done. Thanks!
Ooooh that is a great container
This is super educational and helpful, thanks!!!
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the info. Have a blessed rest of the week. :)
Informative as always sir. Thanks!
Thanks!
Great information. Thanks for sharing.
I,m just starting out.. thanks for the simple explanation..just subscibed..
Thank you uncle Jon!
I'm starting a Cosmetics Company and this helps a lot, thanks!
Sometimes I sell my soap to myself. This is nice because I can charge anything I want since I'll be the one collecting the money. I just took a shower with a $6T bar of soap, and man do I feel good.
🤣
What about say hand foraged items used in soaps or craft. Or would you not be counting that?
💛👍
How you wapping your soaps?
Thank you Jon for making this video! It was very informative. I really liked your shave soap container. Where do you buy your containers?
I now get my shave containers at wholesale supplies plus. The natural ones seem to hold up really well.
Good information. Very helpful. Thanks for sharing. 👍
Thanks for watching!
Hi! Just discovered you tonite! Enjoying your videos😃.
U are the best teacher
Very helpful, thank you!~ Can you talk to us about how to develop customers when starting out? Not everyone can dive right into a website for example. Do you feel this industry has room for new makers, since just on here on RUclips, there are so many, much competition? Thanks again !~
That is something I can try to do a video on. Hopefully I can do that soon. 😁
Why didn't I find your channel sooner. Very helpful thank you 😊
Glad I found your channel. I subbed. Great video.
Thanks!
Thank you. Love the simplecity in your way of thinking. Can you help me with some essential oils supplies. I am nieuw in soap making and I live in Holland.
+Dusanka Badovinac I would start with wholesalesupplies plus.com and bulkapothecary.com. Thanks for watching.
When I click plus.com it shows the website of communication provider not wholesalesupplies website. Are you sure this is the address?
By the way I like your video. I just stumbled on your video. Now I am subscribing to your channel. I live in Bali, Indonesia.
Thank you for sharing your ideas. I have a question...Can I use edible oils like edible olive or coconut oil for soap making?
Yes you can. In fact, that's the biggest part of most soaps. Coconut, olive, lard, tallow, palm oil, shea butter, soy wax, canola oil, etc..
In ceramics. Cost of mold. If 3 items in mold divide by 3. Then multiply by 4
Thank you for the video. Very useful.
Thanks for watching! 😁
thank you so much for sharing!!! I work a low wage job and want to start my own business... I have been saving up for a while and making and selling my own soap sounds like a great investment! I have a very creative vision for my own soap. I would just love to know where you buy your material from. I assume you buy bulk correct? I love your videos! keep it up :)
+Salvador Suazo Congrats on starting your own business! As for materials, you'll have to shop around and source things by quality and price according to your location. It varies depending on where you are located, what you can have shipped to you, and what you can source from other local business owners. Good luck and thanks for watching!
How do you print your own labels
How do you incorporate the extortionate shipping costs that soaping suppliers slap on soapers ?
It's part of the overall cost. If I buy 50 lbs of coconut oil for $40 and the shipping is$10 (totally made up numbers) then the coconut oil actually costs me $50. It's the easiest way to work it. So now when making my recipes, I break that down to the cost per ounce, etc.. And, honestly... Most shipping is actually pretty reasonable for what I get. Sometimes you have to buy a little more stuff to even it out or shop a little longer to find some better deals.
Hello there....which web site or store do you buy your soap making products wholesale? I would like to buy tallow and essential oils (wholesale) thanks
Uncle Jon, Can you give me some advice on Insurance. I sell at a local fair twice a year currently, I would like to sell on line. I`ve been reading a lot of how you want to invest in some to protect yourself. What do you recommend? Thank you by the way for all your help. :)
I would look into joining HSCG (Google that and the Handmade Soap and Cosmetic Guild comes up) The membership is reasonable and has some good resources. It also allows you to get decent business insurance. You'll have to look at the types of memberships and policies to determine how deep you want to go with the insu6. But if you go fill package it should be less than $600 for the year all in with the membership.
Awesome video....only thing I can think of that you didn't mention is I incorporate my shipping costs into my ppb...some ingredients are expensive to ship! Your last video on trolls had me rofl!! Keep up the good work !
Do you mean getting stuff shipped to you? I always figure that as part of the cost of goods. Shipping my stuff to customers, they pay for..lol. Thanks for the kind words. I was late getting another jerk video up :)
Yes, stuff shipped to me. My customers also pay for shipping. Always enjoy your videos, love what your thoughts are on the small business soaping industry. Soap on :)
Editing a mold video now :)
Thx uncle Jon
Loved your video it was super helpful.
Food for thought Jon. Have you ever tried your own shave soap?
I use it a couple times a week..lol
That was helpful, thank you
Thanks for sharing !!!!!!!!!!
very informative, thank you!