How
To Start A Soap Business - Tips
You may wonder how
to start a soap business...
You realize it's possible to build a monster business
from soap and
related items.
Badger Balm is an example of huge success with a simple
product.
I can make products just about like most of what Burt's
Bees markets.
It's not very hard. As I recall, Burt started out with
just his simple handcrafted products, and then sold out,
probably for megabucks, years ago. The products are not
that difficult.
"Not that difficult" is relative though. I've used very
little handcrafted soap that I thought was really
superior. You must really apply yourself to mastering
the craft of soap
making and then you can work on the process of selling handmade
soap.
That's why the material I offer has value, in my
opinion, from a soap making view. There are quite a few
tricks that it's hard to pick up. Plus it's essential to
learn to design your own products.
Then once you have the soap making down, and it doesn't
take that long, then you can market.
It's true that making and selling soap is not a lot
different than dealing with most any other product.
There are basic principles that work. It's complex and
there are all kinds of ways to go about it.
As you might suggest, it's obvious one can make a lot
of money with soap and related products. But it takes
time to grow. My suggestion is to start small. Throwing
money at it won't help. How can you make a little money
and then how can you scale that up? That's the right
approach I think.
Maybe you make a few thousand bars of soap and are sick
of making soap!!!!
Or maybe you like it as a part-time venture, but cringe
at the idea of working full time turning out soap.
So try it small and go from there, with some general
ideas about how you might ramp up if you want to.
OK
Soap Business Ideas
Maine. Think about all the ways you could make unique
products. What goes with Maine? Make products that just
shout out New England and the north woods... or the
ocean... or whatever.
Where to sell it? Regional festivals... Tourism
spots... LL Bean??? The Vermont Country store???
The Internet??? Not a good place to start! I can build
websites easily, but how do you get traffic? Not easy.
You are lost in a sea of people trying to sell soap and
get rich.
Here's the deal. Develop a local market whether it's at
craft shows, farmers
markets or whatever and follow up with your
customers. That's the beauty of the website. It's a way
to sell to your customer list.
Just a few craft shows over a few months could net you
customers that will buy more than you sold at the shows,
all from home and all with no travel.
Building a small, profitable natural
soap business is simple, but not exactly easy.
That's why most people quit quickly... It's like work...
Yikes!
So, build a superior product. Offer customers unique
value.
Market it with your unique Maine twist. Develop a
brand...
Offer your products somewhere you can move a lot of
product fast... like a festival.
How To Start A Soap Business Fast
Have soap marketing materials ready so you can follow
up with buyers -- most important!! That's brochures and
catalogs and then a website.
Follow up with happy customers. Offer them more
stuff... That's balms, balsam wreaths, maple syrup or
whatever... Virtually anything. Then you're building a
business.
Then repeat and do more...
A website is not the answer. It's just a tool and a
great distraction if you're not careful.
Random thoughts for you.
You're off to a good start. Make soap and tweak
recipes. Give it as gifts. See what people like.
Make more. Set some deadlines. Make some plans. Go for
it. That's how to
start a soap business at home, at least one
way, and you may be amazed at how fast progress.
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