How to Start a Soap Business 1-2-3

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A soap making business can be a means to make extra money - but also become a lucrative full time business. Once you have decided that you want to make and sell soap, there are some basic things that you need to consider.

1. Soap-Making Equipment and Supplies

One will be start up costs. You will need to look at what equipment you will need to get your started. For the most part you will find that there are a lot of items you already have around your house. Bowls, mixers and crock pots are usually pretty standard kitchen supplies, along with spoons, gloves and measuring cups.

One thing you will need to invest in is a good digital scale (see below). This can become your most important asset and I would not advise scrimping on this. It can make the difference in whether or not your soap comes out right. The last thing you want in your new business is your product being ruined, and the money going out the window. So take the time and research the different scales and buy the most accurate one you can find.

The next item that you need to consider is your mold or most likely different kinds of molds. For some soaps, simple square bars will be fine, but it won't be long before you have customers that are looking for more fancy molds, or companies that want they logo embedded in the soap they purchase. You will also probably develop a soap that has your own distinctive brand.

2. Business Finances

You will also have to consider whether or not your business will accept credit cards or simply cash and checks. If you are going to use credit cards, you will need to familiarize yourself with merchant account options and procedures. You can talk with someone at the bank you already deal with, and they will help to guide you through the process.

You're also going to need an accountant, although in the beginning you probably can handle most of this yourself with business accounting software. As you find yourself getting busier with your business it's then time to get someone to handle the financial end of doing the books so that you have time to concentrate on your business and growing it.

3. Marketing Your Soap

Once you start to get your business off the ground, you need to look at having a marketing plan. You want to identify who your target market is and how you are going to sell to them. You will need to consider different advertising options such as newspaper, brochures and business cards. One of the biggest and cheapest advertising vehicles will be your customers and their satisfaction. They can spread the word faster than any other way of advertising.

These are things to consider if you are going to stay local, but should you decide to branch out then you need to consider things such as a website or selling on eBay. These are both easy and inexpensive tools to help build up your business.

4. Packaging

You are also going to have to consider packaging of your soaps. Here you will have many different options and for the most part, if you get creative, they do not have to be expensive options. From simply wrapping paper to organza fabric bags and even gift baskets, you'll discover many ways to help make your product more distinctive and attractive to your customers.

5. Specializing and Growing Your Business

One last thing to consider and something that will help keep your costs down, is to specialize in a few distinctive types of soap, such as castile, shea butter soaps and soaps using essential oils in a number of different ways.

In these economic times, this can be a very satisfying home business where you can earn extra money and decide over time just how large you want to grow it. It's also a very fun and rewarding business and usually involves dealing with people who are happy to see your products.

Soap Making Made Easy is not only a great little home business making soap, but it's a great way to earn a bit of extra income. Read more about Soap Making on our website Soap Making Made Easy.

Suzy Sutherland is a Soap Making Guru, has written her own book on "Soap Making Made Easy", and has been making her own soap products for years. For more information and great tips on learning how easy soap making is visit her site at: http://www.soapmakingguru.com

Soap-Making for Fun & Profit

Work at home in your own comfortable artist studio making soaps for almost any occasion. This craft business has really taken off since you can make money consistently selling soaps all year round. Unique soaps are a popular gift item, and since soaps get used up, you can easily build a stable source of residual income from satisfied customers.

These two guides give you the perfect mix of information on both the business of soap-making and aromatherapy recipe instructions. Recommended by both beginners and experts as easy-to-understand and full of business-building ideas that can help your business grow.

What you get >>

• What are the right materials, tools and equipment to use?
• Comprehensive instruction on over 40 specialty techniques like layering and marbling
• Ways to sell your creations at craft shows, shops, and other outlets
• Craft business basics, including pricing and record keeping

Soap-Making for Fun & Profit

Soap Making Start-Up Resources:

Register Your Business Name Get a Business License Open a Business Bank Account

Business Plan for Soap Business Business Financing, Credit Cards Do You Need a Seller's Permit?

Soap Making Recipes & Business Supplies:

Bath Bomb Recipe: 1000% Profit Complete Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Digital Scale

Wholesale Soap Supplies Sample Invoice & Invoice Software

Marketing Your Soap Business

1. Sell On Consignment in Local Shops
   Contact local gift stores to arrange a consignment selling agreement. This is usually a win-win, since the store owner doesn't need to invest any money up front, and you as an artisan, have the opportunity to display your items. Make sure you get a signed agreement with the shop owner, you can download legal forms online.
   
   
2. Get Listed in Local Search Directories
   Some people don't use the yellow pages or local newspapers or publications to find products and services in their city - they look online. Local Search is a quickly-growing advertising space that is an easy, low cost way to reach your local target market. You can create free listings in Google Local, Yelp and Super Pages. See also: $50 Online Advertising Credit. 
   
   
3. Sell Through Online Marketplaces
   Abe's Market is an all-natural online marketplace where you can sell your natural health, beauty and food products. Abe's manages customer payments and order processing for you, and then they take a small percentage of the sales price in exchange for letting you sell in their marketplace. See also: more online marketplaces
   
   

4. Design Your Own Brochures for Cheap
   Don't just tell people about your soap products - show them! Pictures are worth a thousand words, and brochures can present a professional company image - while selling your services to potential clients at the same time.

   You want to use quality materials and photos if you can, but company brochures don't have to be expensive. You can use programs online to design your own brochures, and have them automatically printed for you at a discounted price. See also: Design Your Own Logo

5. Set Up A Website
   Save money by creating your own website with simple online design programs, or outsource the job to an affordable website designer. Whether you sell moving products online - or you use a website to display moving rates or business hours, it's important to take advantage of this low-cost marketing resource that can help you get more customers. You can also set up an online store through Etsy.com, a craft-seller's network. See also: Open an Online Store
   

Soap Business Associations

• The Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild
  The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, Inc. is an international non-profit professional trade association. Their mission is to promote the handcrafted soap industry; to act as a center of communication among soapmakers, and to circulate information beneficial to soapmakers..
• Craft and Hobby Association
  CHA's is a membership-based organization whose goal is to stimulate sales in the craft and hobby industry worldwide by creating consumer demand and helping members succeed.
• Soap and Detergent Association
  A non-profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging.