3 mistakes people make when starting a soap business
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 9 июн 2024
- These 3 things could save you a lot of time and money. Don't make these common mistakes when starting your soap making business
Please subscribe to our channel and leave us a comment below!
Come check out our full list of courses at
Live workshops and courses www.soapschool.com
Business program www.soapbusinessinabox.com/
Online soap courses www.soapschoolonline.com
/ soapschooluk
The notes I took for those lazy people out there:
1. Making too much soap is BAD
2. Everything that you make should be specifically tied to your target market
3. Get into the right mindset: This is a business, not a hobby
4. Have quality packaging (It can increase overall sales and how much you sell the soap for)
😂😂😂
thank you. within the first minute i realized she full of shit. and. needed to go find this comment
Desiree Arnold precise and to the point
Thank you..😄
Another 3 minute video that was painstakingly drawn out to over 15 minutes. Thanks for the summary 👍
Making soap is a hobby for me. What I make I donate to churches who go on missions for the needy. My profit is seeing people smile, just by giving them a simple bar of soap.
I'm with you on that one! God will bless you back.
That's so sweet
Which is why her video is aimed at people who are making a business of it, rather than a charity based hobby.
i want to do this to start, since i'll be a beginner I want to start off by donating my batches
this really inspired me! thank you
Thank you! This information was spot on! I launched my business in Feb 2017 and I have been fortunate enough that it took off and I was able to leave corporate and focus on my business full-time.
That's amazing!
tiara can you please help me about soap making ? i tried to make a perfect soap but failed ...i know its good business whenever i calculate cost price its too high according to market price?/and also i need perfect soap making formula for business please please help sajid.karamat88@gmail.com and whatsapp no 00923134176777
Tiara B. That’s awesome.
It's never to late I just retired at 70 and it's 2019 and I'm having a ball doing soaps and body butters.
Tiara B. Congrats thx for sharing and inspiring us ❤️🙏🏽
I started out making it for myself. I have really dry skin. My large family said I should sell my soaps. Yes I started out with the mountains of soaps, testing what worked in my weather. I'm now selling in mom and pop stores and doing good.
But I feel the soap mountain that I made taught me a lot! Now I know what works and what doesn't. It was like my own schooling.
Same! The soap mountain taught me SO much. I made 2lb batches, not 10lb, but boy did I make a lot of batches.
Did the same
can we do export with you
@@loisreed3326 Hi Lois
@@loisreed3326 how're you doing
I started out with a soap mountain 4 years ago and it stressed me out so much! I narrowed it down to the more popular soaps (4 scents), once I really honed in on my target market, and I've been doing great! I now have 10 soaps, with each one targeting something different, but can also be used with each other i.e. they don't clash. EVERYONE LOVES it! It is so much easier, AND CONSISTENT with my brand, but took so much research (and a lot of lost money) and patience. I'm not planning on making any new scents unless I take one of the old ones out. This is why having a niche is so important as well; you're able to properly identify how you can navigate your creative parameters and not overload yourself with unnecessary stress from similar, but inherently different markets. Thanks so much for this vid! SUBSCRIBED!!!
Shahndi, i want to start the business of soaping Please guide me ,dish wash soaping or cloth washing soaping is best?????????
guilty of the soap mountain too!!! Will narrow it down now heheh
@Lavonda Brown-Clark Here's where you have to sit down and do a bit of research. Who are you trying to sell to? Men? Women?What are their ages? What do they like? What do they watch? What scents of yours sell the most and who buys them? The more of these questions that you ask yourself, the more you'll be able to narrow down your target market. It takes time and patience. So, instead of being very general in your marketing tactic, you'll be more specific with who you're marketing to as well as how to cater to their specific needs. I really hope this helps!
@@Peach_Vanille Thank you for being so generous with this information. It is very helpful. Thanks again!
I didn't think much about which products to make but really wanted to start with the basics; natural, fragrance/color-free bar; simple, inexpensive essential oils; made 4 bars, then added 4 bath bombs, and I started selling out and needing to rush to make more...now that I have people asking me to make other soaps, I didn't want to get stuck with soaps nobody wants, so I posted a survey :D It worked! So now I do a giveaway draw for everyone that votes, and I've had success making the soaps that got the most votes.
TessaG I love that!
Thanks for ideas. Actually I started making goat milk soap as my hobby and gave some away as gifts to those who has problematic skins. Now they came back to me as customers and pushing me to start the business. Best regards
Can you give me recepes
I have owned and operated three businesses. All three turned high profits for me, until I was forced to retire due to health concerns. I have always made soap for my personal use, and yes, I do find it fun and relaxing. I am considering turning my pastime into a business I can run from my home. The three points outlined above are very good tips, I am guilty of giving more than I should.
Hi Donelle, Thanks for sharing. The great thing is that you can identify making the mistakes, we are all guilty :)
This advice never gets old and I love the fact that you are come back from time to time to look at this video and reset your business..Thank you .
I am working on starting a soap business and you hit on everything that has either been an issue for me or you validated information I already thought about. Glad i didn't do those soap mountains
Yay, I am so glad that you connected with this. Wishing you a wonderful soapy journey!
I am realizing how important packing is for my business. It's about placement, size, look and everything. This was great advice!
Opened my store (Scrubbing Imperfections) 5 days , I've made back 1/2 of what I spent on products... I'm selling, face scrubs, body butters, lip balms, now researching to start selling soap. Thank you for this.. I didn't have a giveaway, I sold samples...
Well done Tash!
Can I ask you some questions?
would you mind putting a link. i would love to visit your website.
I'm new to soapmaking and just finished my 10th batch of soap over a 2 month period of time 😳. I'm so happy I found this video because I could see myself doing all 3.
Thanks for joining our channel. I'm so glad it helped you
I just started watching your videos. You have so much good information that I haven't thought of yet, or haven't had anyone to ask about it. I think you are great for doing these videos, and your success is an inspiration to me. Thanks
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful
I have fallen prey to all 3 mistakes..... I had a limited budget for supplies so I tend to buy small.... I tend to mass produce to see what I like and don’t like which has created the soap mountain.... and lastly my packaging can definitely use some improvement!!! I really happy I bumped into this lesson!
The one that resonates with me: the wrong packaging for the wrong market
Hi Sofian, it's a bummer but we learn and move forward :). Well done for getting stuck in and following your dreams
You're absolutely right. I do have a soap mountain and bought heaps of small amounts of raw ingredients. I have only been soaping for 12 months. I learned this the hard way. I have no more room for my soaps till I sell more. Thanks for sharing.
My problem is definitely buying small quantities right now. And after watching this I'm going to make a point of buying in quantity now.
So glad it helped. Even buying one thing in the next price breaks counts, just take it one step at at a time and enjoy it :)
I believe I've already made 2 of the mistakes mentioned. But its never late to learn so thank you.
I'm guilty of all 3 subjects and I really appreciate your advice. Thanks so much for your help.
Your a great teacher
It's a small business I can do from home and working being disabled allows me to be productive and positive versus not!
I know this video is dated, but I can relate to several points. #1-soap mountains! I have done this when I first started out. I was making soap like crazy, hadn't narrwed down my recipe, and was just trying different things. I ended up having to throw it all away because of DOS, or fragrance loss. I again have a mountain because I have been trying for 21/2 years to get my business off the ground. I have no income, so I can't do markets or fairs. I have a free website which is not great. I used to have a real website back when my fiance was alive. ( he was my source of income) #2 My packaging has not been great. I started with just using shrink wrap and labels, but have come to realize that my printed out sheets of labels on regular paper look much better. Thank you for all your informative videos.
Tammy, Good luck in your business endeavor. :)
This lady is spot on and I wish I had seen this video when I first started because I was a victim to all three. The soap mountain not a big deal you can always unload them at a discount and start fresh without losing money even making a few bucks. However the free giveaways, wow that is a big one, You don't realize how easy it is to giveaway a couple thousand dollars worth of product. Finally the essential oils in 10 or 30ml bottles will break you quick. Buying small bottle like that will force you to sell every 1oz of soap for about $3-$4 to make a profit so I suggest getting a sample set at first, see what you like and then buy 16oz min size bottles of oils.
My monastery is about to start a soap making business as a supplement to our retreat center income. I'm in charge of setting it up. I am glad that I hve found your channel as I will be needing all the help I can get!
I have only just started making soap, but yes I tick the three boxes! Very good thinking. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing!
Also, something that I really failed to take into account is the fact that soap needs to sit for at least 4-6 weeks before being used.
So, for me, there’s a fine line between making enough and not having made enough 😊
Dora, that's a really good point!
Is this also true for melt and pour soap 🧼?
@@bigdog2486 No Melt & Pour soap is ready to use as soon as it hardens.
Great tips. Thanks for your advice. I am starting a soap business of my own. At the moment I was considering it to be a hobby, but you are right I need to look at this as a business and not making mountains of soap. I also took your advice for Packaging because and wanted to start a local business. I have an idea where to go, but I need some things to do it locally, like a tax ID, a business license for my city, and a logo and title name copyrights. I've researched a lot of things considering that I just started about a month ago and your video was more information to consider to be in the know. Again I appreciate your advice and thank you.
Hi, I am start learning how to make the soap business. Can you share with me some of your experiences.
These are great bits of advice for anyone. Soap makers or even jewelers. Thank you for posting this!
I started my business a year ago. I am fortunate to have a degree in business so i was able to skip ahead. When i went to culinary arts school they used the example of a shoe store. If you worked in a shoe store you wouldn't get a free pair of shoes at the end of each shift.
My challenge was the packaging, I struggled between the customers thinking it cute to me worrying about the cost and wobbling packaging as the soap shrunk. I also hate that customers rub their noses all over the soap.I think I have worked it out. I used a deli paper to wrap it and finish it as i did last year with string and sealing wax.
Thanks for the video.
Soap School I age it 4-6 weeks. Here in Idaho, it is very dry, it is a desert .I have switched from a cloth wrapper to a dry waxed paper. My primary market is the local farmers market every Sat. This type of wrapper keeps peoples noses off the soap as well.
@@janehall2720 biodegradable shrink wrap
Thank you so much for this. I just started making soap and I'm grateful I haven't made much of those mistakes but you have helped me understand the need of bulk buying and proper packaging. I'll do my best and rectify these.
Thank you . I haven’t started making soap yet but, this is excellent information to know !💕
I have to agree with the packaging one and not knowing your market. I see it everywhere- they make so many different scented ones, and they have so many styles. That I'm so confused on what they're all about. And the packaging side of things- If you make it look amateur a customer is just going to start working it out straight away on how to make your product- because there's so much information out there. You really do need professional packaging and its not that hard now to get that done.
Thank you this was very helpful. I do have a soap mountain. I needed to work out what i was going to make. I did have a direction and a drive to make natural soaps with essential oils and natural colours. Which making a sosp mountain has confirmed that natural is my thing. Now i have to make sure my packaging resonates this. Thank you Sarah.
Great advice! Thanks for the post! I started my Candle and soap business this year, so I've a lot to learn.
Considering a small business with body items...not sure what items yet, besides soap. Although I did decide just Tuesday that I was going to limit what I made so it will actually sell. Making lists, checking it 4 times and tons of reading. This is excellent advice and I'll be checking out website.
Thank you so much for this video! It was very helpful!
Another good way to "gift" to friends and family is to discount between your wholesale and your price of production. Yes grandma I love you and I want to share my soap with you because you tell your neighbors but my soap costs this much to make so that's why I charge this much full price. But if you pay me to make it that's good enough
Great advice! Thank you for this video, it’s very very valuable.
Wow!!! What a valuable video. I’m just starting to learn soapmaking so I can do it as a business. You are giving wonderful advice to newbies like me.. thank you
Great advice!!! I hadn't thought about my target market yet -it really gave me ideas for building my business and focusing on certain soaps just thinking about it. Thanks!
Fantastic video. Question. How would you begin to decide what your target is??
Thank you!! I am a jewelry marker and looking to learn how to make soaps. What you are talking about applies to anyone that creates. I've given away a lot too.
Agree with all of your advises.. Infact started thinking about these ideas a while back..
I appreciate you making this video. I am researching doing this as a side job, and quite obviously I do not want to be wasting my money.
So glad it helped Heather. Good luck!
I'm just starting out and this was very helpful to me. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
thank you! im 18 and im trying to get into business, this is super helpful!
I love making stuff for people to get them what I have a good clean beautiful skin
It's great to share and help people
I’m learning a lot from this video I haven’t even make my first batch yet but i wanted to learn and educate myself before i start making soap. I do want my own business. I love the thought of making good quality soap with less harsh chemicals in them`. I’m for sure going to take a look at your 8week course
I was happy to listen to your points. I think you spoke to me. I have given away a lot in the past and bought small amounts but I have started buying in bulk. This info is great and insightful. Thanks for sharing with us.
love all your advice, having done all these things myself you are spot on!
Excellent! I'm grateful for your useful information.
wow wow wow This is so educative and encouraging. i just started thinking of what to do to cushion this harsh economy, then i tot of soap making and honestly, i think i am prepared. i have to start sourcing for fund
Oh I am so glad that it has helped you. Enjoy the journey :)
Hello! I am a 24 year old Nigerian lady and I started my soap making business a year ago, because I wanted to be way more conscious of what I used on my skin. Packaging was a major issue for me, I started of with DIY methods, raised a little more to get some tools that would help with my packaging method. Thank goodness I'm tech-savvy so I made my graphic designs myself. I'm enjoying every process as it comes, and really grateful for this incite-full video teaching a lot of us on mistakes we should try and avoid. Thank you very much.❤️
And this is the link to my business page on Instagram just incase you want to see what young me has been up to 😊😊😊🙈
instagram.com/decorus_dea/
Thank you Ma, for this video. God bless you.
Thank you 😊🙏🏼yes I use the Hot process method for the African black soap and Cold process for my All Natural bar soaps made from coconut milk, hibiscus and a host of other botanicals.
Very grateful for this video. Much needed advice.
@@orechante goid luck..I will see your work ...I also make soap ..my instagram account
Soap_om_prof
RAHMA AL HARRSI Thank you 💕 will check yours out too.
Thank you for your advice. Made me confidence to go on with my plan....
Great tips! Very informative! I found you at the right time!
Thank you soooo much for taking the time to share your expertise 😘😝😍 I have now subscribed to your feed and will be taking notes 📝!!!!
This was so extremely helpful, THANK YOU!
By the way... IF you are buying from a private soap supplier...you are already spending to much money. Find the Wholesale companies - to get an idea of how little you can spend, to go wholesale....or their price limits. THIS is always good to know way ahead of time - because what IF you get a big order? That is not the time to start thinking wholesale while you rush finding resources.
To many people begin hobbies, with stars and $$$ signs in their eyes before they even think of the reality. Many seem to depend on their spouse to float them along. Try doing this for a living, alone....and it's a far grimmer picture.
Know your Value - and Do not Share your secrets recipes. hahahaha
Fact dr
I think it’s so funny that it needs to be said that a soap making business woman shouldn’t just give it all away. (giggle)
I am a beginner soap making hobbyist, and clicked on this video because it’s interesting. I am nowhere close to being able to dream of having a soap business. But it’s so funny to me, that there’s just something about soap making that makes you WANT to give it away! LOL!
Good luck with the soap making - enjoy yourself!
I am just starting out and everything you said is right on! Thank you for the wonderful tips! It is appreciated!
Yay so glad you enjoyed it Sandra
Very useful advice thank you x
This was super super helpful. I am actually just thinking about soap making and your pointers were so relevant and spot on. Thanks again.
I am thrilled to hear that they were helpful - good luck with your new venture!
I love everything you said and I paid close attention to package that was something I really have been nervous about
Thank you for this video!.I am researching to begin my soap business in a couple of months so great information
all three of these I can relate too! lol! thank you so much for the advice! Greatly Appreciated!! :) I love your channell
Thank you it helped me as I am going to start now, even as a hobby this is great to know, as it can always grow in a business
Right timings to watch this video. Just was gonna start today making samples. So definitely making samples to cater to market is really important
Thanks for your advice. I definitely have made all those mistakes
Thank you! I just started. Grateful for your insight 🙏
People nowdays Is looking More for handmade stuff. My soaps are that way, AND it does includes the recycled -handmade packaging i put them on. The cuts of my soaps are kind of rough AND it seems my targeted custummers love it...so my soaps are rustic, rough AND recycled packed....it make them look unique compared to others in the marketing...be original AND succes Is ahead!
@@SoapSchoolUK i am glad i've found your channel 😆
I would love to see your soaps do u have a site to sell?
Thank you for this video. It was very informative. I just started making soap and am enjoying it. My soap mountain, or rather hill is all the soaps that I was learning on and ‘trying’ out recipes. I have gotten some good feed back and the grandkids are excited with their bars. I’m now looking at the possibility of making a business. I have a name, and I’m working on how to package. I’ve seen different types of packing, but don’t want to just copy, but make it mine. So there is still some research for me to do. Thank you again for the information in the video.
Thank you for this. This video really validates a lot of decisions I've made about how I want to do this. We're cash flowing our business and it's a bit difficult spinning up to full power, but I feel like it's worth sticking to and doing right.
Speaking of packaging: it's how I developed my love for this. I was a structural designer and now am a die maker for a folding carton company. I got so many customer samples from some very big and well-known soap, hand balm, lip balm, etc makers.
Thanks for your video - very clear & informative! I'm transitioning from 'hobby' and 'experimenting' into a business, 18 months after starting, so I can relate to all you're saying! I have the soap mountain and have probably given away more than I've sold... But I have spent the last few weeks looking at my best-sellers, honing down on the elements that set me apart from the milion other soap-makers out there, and buying in bulk. So I'm focusing on these and getting a lot more strict with myself! Thanks again for the tips!
So glad you found it useful Ruth. I made lots of mistakes too!
As an existing retail business owner(not soap related) I can relate to pretty much all your points. #1 I make cold process soaps. My daughter makes melt & pour soaps. I am having a hard time with my target market. I find myself making a variety of different soaps, all wonderfully thought out but still each uniquely different. I am trying to get a feel for what people like and I don't know how else to go about it. #2 I do understand the importance of getting the most bang your buck in buying bulk and not getting raped on S&H charges because of of buying for my existing business. Very good advice. #3 I pride myself on the quality of my packaging, labels & my photography of my product for online sales, but I am not happy with the cohesiveness of my packaging having a common theme between products which I feel is important. I am torn between wanting to do more organic packaging such as muslin bags, and the visual advantage of shrink wrap since I do a lot of art soap. It is a conundrum.
This a fantastic counsel. Thanks a lot.
This all good advice & I am at fault for doing all three. Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Spectacular advice. Very smart thinking, much more based in reality than most other soap makers / business people I see giving advice.
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it x
I began two years with three soaps and I am doing great! I am thinking about about adding to my soaps but I have to test the market first, I hate wasting money and no I don't giveaway free products!
The most difficult part was making my soap labels appear professional.
Tessie Dobey that's right sis!!
I've bought from the 'Yellow Cottage Soapery' & always get free samples of ones I don't have...I so appreciate that! :)
Tessie Dobey I have really enjoyed your inspirational video... kindly please tell me how we can unite to do more of soapification. Iam ready to start one soap business. Guide me more dear.
Tessie Dobey can you give me some advice I’m thinking about starting my own soap business
Wow! Great advice, my best friend started a wonderful soap business & I will be sure to pass this great video along.
Guilty of all - thanks so much for such good tips
This is really great! Thank you so much. I feel like I need to pay more attention to wise coaching at this point.
Hiya, you are so welcome :) . Glad it helped
I have only just come across your channel and I wish I had found it sooner. I’m just starting out and will put everything you have said into learning more. Many thanks for this video 🙂
Glad it helped Karen :). Good luck!
Too much soap is good for sample bars, and sell them for 50 cents a peace. It all adds up, and gets customers.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing! :)
Thank you very much. Video is very helpful
Speaking as a Marketing Consultant, this video is really good!
I love the presentation I did not put the packaging on the considerations. Thanks for the advice and encouragement
Thank you for this video . 💕❤️💕❤️
So helpful!!! So much value in this video!!! Thank you so much 🙏🏼✨
Love that you found this helpful :)
Thanks for this wonderful advice
great video!thanks so much. yes, they are all great points.
Fantastic advise very profession - Stop Gifting to friends too much that‘s even a cost- Professional packing * I will remember it Thanks a lot
Gifting is always nice, just not too much :)
Great advices! Having a target market in mind should definitely be at the center of any creation; buying large quantity to save on cost is crucial (and I would add researching good suppliers); being mindful with give aways is a good point also. We tend to be overly generous with our products at first! thanks for sharing this video, it's right on point!
Yes, all true and essential points. I decided to allow samples from scrapes for potential customers. Quality product gets sold. Must have a website.
You talking to me and you so right I learn some thank you so much.
I am so glad you found it helpful Veronica :)
Just starting....small. Very helpful. Do you do your courses on line because I live overseas??? Made a few small mistakes such as give aways .
Hi Denise, we do have a variety of online courses. You can learn more about them on our website soapschool.com/online-courses We all start small, the most important step is to just start :)
I love this video. It's the best I have ever seen.
So much of knowledge.. Thank you
.. Love from India🇮🇳
Getting ready to start my business, Thanks for this video!
You are so welcome Cincy. Good luck with the new business!