10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting a Soap Business. | Day 186/365
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- Опубликовано: 28 май 2024
- #soapysuccess #186 #reflection
We are getting close to the end of the year, and I find myself reflecting on the things. Also, in the last live, there was real interest in my Top 100 list of shit I wish I knew before starting a soap business. Well, we're not doing 100. How about 10?
Web guy - you need him. He does social media, website development, SEO, etc etc etc. And he's cheap.
www.hortons-art.com
soapandclay.com/shop/product-...
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Soap & Clay is a family owned business operating in Washington State, but started out online thanks to Mrs. Soap & Clay's kickass brother and his amazing web design skills. The business was started as a tribute to Mrs. Soap & Clay's grandmother, the OG maker in the family that cultivated everyone's love for the DIY life. The studio/retail shop opened in 2017 on 6th Ave in Tacoma, and immediately began teaching soap, bath bomb, lotion, and scrub classes to the makers and maker enthusiasts of the PNW. In 2019, the pottery studio opened as well, making the soap shop a busy place full of artistic energy every minute of the day.
Mrs. Soap & Clay has been featured on Business Spotlight, New Day Northwest, and was awarded a coveted place on the South Sound's 40 under 40 list in 2019, an award given to the most influential business people under the age of 40 each year. She cried when she walked up to the podium to accept the award. A lot.
Drawing from her chemistry background and her maker spirit, Mrs. Soap & Clay infuses her favorite things into her soapy designs and creates products that are fun to see, use, and learn to make. Stick around for this ride - she'll take you on a great one.
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You can find Soap & Clay on all social media platforms:
/ idontevenusesoap
/ soapandclay
/ soapandclay
For information on products, wholesale orders, or ideas for a soap, contact Mrs. Soap & Clay at
Chantine@soapandclay.com
These are the things I wish I had known, and Still wish I had money for. I am just starting year 4 and Yikes, it has been a WILD AS F ride. I was doing shampoo bars and M&P soaps to begin with to people I knew, because CP Scared the F out of me. Finally one night a friend "Rubberducked" me through the entire CP Process and several major lye fails online, At Speed without telling me beforehand. (He was a 5th grade teacher, and a good one.) When we were done and I was finished swearing. He finally asked me. "What are you afraid of? Dragons?" When he passed of a sudden Heartattack not 2 weeks later I made my first CP soap and called it Dragons, and I haven't stopped. There will Be a Lot of Dragons. Just Remember, they are Always on Your Side.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your wise and wonderful friend! It’s beautiful that you named your soap in honor of him 💕
What I wish I’d known before making selling soap is that I don’t have to have it all. Stay basic because the fancy oils and molds is just too much. Too much money, too much room, which creates too much leftover product. I gave my leftover soap to Christmas Shoe boxes for children and that was pretty cool, but still...start small and don’t go off into tangents!!! Good advice, Mrs. Soap and Clay.
The “yoni” bar tip made me laugh very hard and I agree 100%. These tips are killer!! The soap also turned out amazing 🤩
Especially since most yoni soaps are made with apple cider vinegar 💔🤭
And I wanted to add that I'm a subscriber of yours as well 💞🙏🏾
Been soaping since 99.
This it me right in the heart in 24!!!!
Boundries, delegation 100%
Omg this is just perfect advice Mrs. SOAP & Clay.
The number one thing for me and my clientele....Your recipes matter more than the design or label. You can make a subpar product that looks amazing with all the bells and whistles and charge a fortune . However, if that products results do not leave the user with a stand out feeling or experience, then your product will be forgotten. I find my clients will buy an ugly bar or basic packaged product that gives their skin amazing results rather than the all decked out artistically presented product on a constant basis. The pretty pretty gets them in the door so to say but the results keep them coming back. I suck at bubble bars....not their look...I make them gorgeous....but they suck in giving bubbles. So I do not make bubble bars.
Why you laughing about the importance of web developers if you are one? 😂💀
Oh I don’t need help with web development; I’ve got an amazing guy. He’s the WebMan!
I hate hate hate social media. I also hate updating my website LOL. Then you said delegate and I suddenly snapped that I have a husband who likes web design and I have a daughter who loves social media. So why am I doing these things by myself? Thank you for an eye opening moment, I really and selfishly, seriously needed this.
GOOD!
Good luck with delegating to the daughter. I have one that is 8n school for web design and she offered to do some of it. But all I get is some advice I have to beg for every now and then. Theybneed some form of incentive and I havent found hers yet. She is also one of those that got made and refused to help me get to the rest room(I got hurt realbbad this weekend) because I had a ^look^. Sorry I am in pain and was think of how excruciating those 10 feet to walk will be... I hope you family sticks by you and get excited about your business like you deserve.
WoW! My head is spinning...it had to be some Cosmic Universe thing that had me tuning in to you today. I had just had a conversation with my hubby about putting a hold on actually launching my soap business bcuz after trying to educate myself with you tube videos (mostly yours), books, on-line courses and lots and lots of practice for over 6 months, I am STILL not ready. There is so much more to learn about jumping into a business and it takes so much more than a room full of "soapy things", (albeit it wonderful soapy things) to launch a successful business. Now, not only do I have your very wise list but I feel less like a failure before I even start bcuz most of your followers' comments tell me that I am not alone. Its hard to slow down when you are doing something you love but I think it will be worth it to step back, take a breathe and let all of your wisdom sink in. I just really needed to hear ALL of this today. Thank you so so much! And just one more thing while I am unabashedly gushing over you - you have the most gorgeous "kidletts"...would love to see more of them in your videos. Okay...I'm done!
Woman, I have been soaping just under two years now and I thought I followed everybody who was anybody to watch, listen and learn. Not until today did I see you show up on my YT home page. Not only extremely talented [holy shit]; you are without a doubt, the most authentic youtuber in this industry I've seen. You keep it real, you talk real and you are totally someone I would like to know if I lived in WA. Peace and love from Toronto... ps - you may not enjoy doing these videos but seriously if they are all like this one, I'd say you're rockin it! Keep on keepin on and Merry Christmas from Canada!
I freaking love you! I have learned so so much since finding you. THANK YOU for sharing so much of your success with us!
Thank you for this. Especially 2 and 1. I needed that. And this soap was so beautiful and bright!
It’s like you’ve been spying on my brain for the past six months because many of these things especially about only making things you love are things after 3 years of having my tiny shop that I have recently come to realize.
The start of quarantining really hit me hard because so much of what I made were “fancy” type soaps and I felt like it was wrong to be selling a product that many people would no longer be able to afford. So I tried to make more simple things that I could sell for a lot less, but that wasn’t enjoyable. Add on things in my personal life and I ultimately shut down my shop for close to a year which tanked most of my customer base. Which I’m ok with because it’s been allowing me to slowly get back into it and rebuild in more of a way that I’ve always wanted.
Not a soap business, but I had a craft business for about three years. Yep, I shut it down just as it was getting started. Why? Because I had a partner in the business who proved to be untrustworthy. If you are dealing with ANY ONE on a partnership level, make SURE that you can trust them. Make sure they aren’t undercutting your reputation.
Very informative… thanks for sharing! Staying true to your authentic self resonated with me… Trying to figure out who my target audience will be is something I’m struggling with. My first thought was “everyone” like you said.. 😂
I know this is a year old but thanks for this video. Everything you saying is so true. This had lessen my anxiety of a new soap maker and business person. ❤️
I definitely wish I would have understood delegation. Thinking you can do it all is 100% not reality. You can’t do it all and it’s ok if you can’t. I have a degree in marketing and communications and it was still difficult to get up and going because I was trying to keep up with demand and growth while trying to market and build my website and do all the things that go into a business that I lost time out with family. So definitely important to know when to quit. Know when to say I can’t do it and need to hire someone.
Thanks for all the great advice. We appreciate your time and knowledge. I really wish I had the money to spend on web developers and my own advertising. I wish I had someone to delegate the business and social media to. But it’s just me and I’ll get it all figured out. Maybe by next Christmas I’ll be rebranded and spectacular…but for this coming year I need to push myself to get it out there in the first place. If I don’t things will just be pushed back again because this isn’t just right, or now is the wrong season, or, or, or…to infinity and I have a thousand bars of soap boxed up under my bed, lol. Good luck to everyone this coming year.
Hey, that was super informative. Really cool. You sound experienced and genuine. 👍👍
I definitely needed to see this video. I have a regular job that I know will be ending in about 5 years and my goal is to make the bath products full time when that is over, or before if possible. I'm also the type that is trying to learn how to ask for help on some things. Thank you for all of the advice!
I'm a little less than 2 weeks away from my first actual "launch" and it's like the youtube gods knew I needed to hear these. Thank you for this video!
Thanks you Mrs S&C. I so need to hear all of your wise words today. Most importantly is to do me. I have been told I need to make other soaps, using different ingredients, different styles ect. I could but I would hate it and really not good at it. My creations are mine and if people do or do not want to buy them, that is totally fine. I don’t comment much but please know, I listen too and greatly appreciate EVERY video you have put up. Thank you💜
I’m glad I watched this and no you don’t sound scoldy!
I live in Los Angeles California and I realized that people like artificial scents opposite to essential oils. They prefer pretty soaps that looks unique, opposed to what's best for the skin or whatever is functional.
Thanks girl❤ some stuff i might have learn or know but im checking out here and there learnibg from here and there and i find good point of view or new tips everywhere😊😊😊 Thanks for sharing❤❤❤
You’ve hit so many points that I’m juggling with between having a “day job” and a business. I often joke about having 2 full time jobs and a half (managing hubby’s business too), but really, it’s not a joke. Family time and sleep are taking a big hit, but I’m growing smarter as I’m getting older ;). Happy Holidays hun, I’ll have a S&C catch up marathon soon
Excellent!
don't forget about us reviewers :) we can help a small business grow to become a huge business. specially smaller youtubers because mind the curtain with the smaller channels there are a huge handful of other youtubers behind them that help them help you :) social media chain that i have seen personally a small company grow or die :( the ones that die its so sad because they had such amazing products. Beautifully said, you give great advise and are honest about it! Thank you for being honest. Honesty is is very little these days and seen very little. I appreciate this!
Very insightful and very much needed. In my first year of business and doing so from home, lot of these I struggle with, time management is one of my biggest issues so it often runs into or takes over family time. With it all right here, it's easy to keep going, but I've found other hobbies to keep my hands busy while hanging with the fam when I feel fidgety. I appreciate your input ❤️
Thank you so much for all you've taught me over the last couple of months, while I save up and slowly get everything I need to get in order to be able to get into the soap game, and hopefully get my own soap business.
😂yoni bars! I’m going into my second full year of my business and I am learning all of these things. Keep it simple.
Thank you for saying that about yoni bars :-) not supposed to be a thing.
Great advice that applies to so so many other things. Often easier said then done, and many of them people will just have to learn from experiencing it themselves.
You are so awesome!!! I learn so much from you. Thank for sharing your knowledge, wisdom, and your life insights with us. I just happened to come across your videos 2 days ago. I’m so glad I did. I absolutely love your kick ass approach to soaping, to being a business owner, and to live. ❤
Thank you for the information! It all seems so common sense, but then again.. I'm not sure its so common, sense. On an unsoapy related note, I cannot tell you how thrilled I am over the fact you say kidlets. I've done it randomly since I was a teen and to this day I still get the strangest looks!
Beautiful tips! Thank you for sharing. I’m thinking bout getting into cosmetic formulation!
The scolding is necessary. U opened my eyes I havenr started my soap business but make cream and bath bombs. U r 100% correct.
Thanks a bunch.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much. Scary when your just starting out.
Absolutely 💯 all facts and correct info However I'm just now building my soap business but we own two other small businesses and man all we have done for years and years is work to death now my kids are grown almost and all I do is cry 😢 because I should have just stopped ✋ in the evening came home and spent more time with my family 👪.
Gotta prioritize! It’s hard to train, right?
@@MrsSoapAndClay absolutely as a provider I try and do my best so my kids can have a better life like paying for college as we are doing for one now yes it's hard.
Thankyou so much for such a great advice 😊😍🙏
Really helpful
My fave video. Self love is #1
Omg I love you doll! I have been watching you and soaping for a few years, but I’m just starting with an actual business but I have been a small business owner but your info that is business type specific was absolute gold. Thank you so much for sharing your life and knowledge with us!
I love you sister!❤. Thank you for this. This got me shaking like I was a child learning how to act right 😅😂. This info is great 👍
Just learned so much from this video.. found it on the perfect moment of my soaping journey Thank you so much for sharing! Blessings! ❣️
This may be my favourite RUclips video from anyone, ever. Thank you for the great inffo.
Great advise!
Thanks!
Beautiful bar! Also thank you for the great advice😊
Social media is my biggest challenge!!!! I am having my daughter take that over. She has a cake business. We are trading- her social media, me - bookeeping.
Such a great topic! Thank you so much for this one! And all while doing a super pretty soap pour.
You are fabulous and so correct in all you said!
Great advice. And beautiful soap!
Thank you for this 💕
You're awesome. Thank you so much. Love the soap, love you.
Sadly for me, 22:00 is the only time I can work. I've tried working with the kidlets around... There is no way 😩😩😩
Just started my soap making adventure a few months ago. Thank you so much for your honest advice. I really appreciate the genuine way you share your experiences and encouragement. Your videos are very helpful.
Now this was a awesome video!
Facts! 👍🏾
Wonderful list. I love number 1. That rainbow swirl, tho…WOW. Truly beautiful. ❤️🌈
Thank you! - Timo
Such great advice!! I know I need to scale back and reign in my buying every fragrance oil I see #facepalm Oooohhh You used the injection thingie lol, love the colors!!
Wow. Thank you so much. You share such good advice. I can't express how much I appreciate you. I am in my first year of business and I had to slow it down and learn to take it easy on myself. I had to stop comparing myself to others. I do not know social media. I barely know how to use my cell phone. I realized I started my business too soon. I love creating and love sharing but learning inventory management, marketing, selling, pricing, branding oh my goodness, I always felt like I was behind the 8 ball. My responsibilities on my pay the bills job increased and well that meant I really did not have time to devote to my soap business and do important things like sleep and be with family. Going easy on myself and giving myself permission to grow at a slower pace without feeling like a failure is difficult and honestly, I am still redefining what success means to me in my business. I also stop looking at the videos that say I made $40,000 in 30 days with 2 products and have only been in the business for 5 minutes. Like really? Seriously. Why can't that be me? LOL Again, I love your channel. I love being apart of your tribe. Thank you for sharing.
@@iwannaapple7190 Thanks!!! I will do that for sure.
Video saved. I have no idea if I'll ever dip my toe into professional soap making. I'm still not entirely confident in making soap for others... but these tips are good and if I ever do, you can be sure I'll rewatch your video here a few times.
Number one: DO NOT BURN YOURSELF OUT! It’s not fun at that point.
Hi, I want to thank you for these tips. I would ĺike to have a chat with you about this topic. Once again thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
You Totally rock! I just needed this so much!!! Thank you
I really want to see this video! But RUclips is only showing me a Grammarly ad in a loop. It never advances to the video. What's up RUclips??
Oh no! I just tested this on four different devices that aren't logged into RUclips and there's no issues with looped ads. Maybe reset your RUclips and try again? Good luck!
😂🤣 you know who has to look up Yoni soap. I thought it was a tribute to Yanni 🤣😂. Sooooooo I laughed hard !!!!
I am very interested in your idea of hiring a virtual assistant. If you find value in the content, I would love to see a video on your ideas on how to find and use one of these people for social media content. It is where I am lacking in my business for sure.
Love the advice here. I absolutely love that you put setting boundaries as your top rule! So damn true!! Thank you for this video!
Very nice design! Keep up all the great work, you are really good at your craft!
Hey, I'm just wondering, I thought we weren't legally supposed to make products based off licensed characters / trademarked characters? So how can you enter the "nerd" niche without doing so?
Products based off of popular characters are fine; it’s when you take the direct name and/or trademarked likeness that you start facing problems.
💜
I just gotta comment and tell you how great the name Sassy Cat Soapery is 😁 so cute and catchy!
P.S. Unrelated, kind of: have you ever used peanut oil for soap/skincare? It looks promising, but also looks taboo.
Amen🙏💖
Think you dear but I need you help i what to start making soap but I don't know how I can start i don't know ingredients
Hey! There is a playlist in the channel for back to basics cold process soapmaking that will hopefully get you started!
Yoni bars 🤣🤣🤣🤮🤮