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5 Tips to Take Soaping from Hobby to Business

Filed Under: Business Musings

Soap making is a hobby that brings joy to those who make it, and those who buy or receive the luxurious product. It’s no wonder that many soapers are able to turn their hobby into a business! But, making the transition from hobbyist into small business owner can be a little intimidating.

Here are 5 tips to help take your hobby to the next step; simply click through the slides below! The presentation is via a site called SlideShare. SlideShare enables users to share information in the form of slides, making the content easy to read and interact with. Have you used Slideshare before?

 If you enjoy SlideShare, a few of my favorite presentation’s include Bob Pritchett’s “How to Quite College and Get Away with It”, “50 Powerful Statistics About Tech Mega Trends Affecting Every Business,” by Vala Afshar and “The Undeniable Authority of the Social Customer,” by Desk. I’m a visual person, so reading information in slide format works well for me.

Are you a soaper considering starting a small business? I would love to hear about what is holding you back, so I can offer more tips. Also, if you are a small business owner, please share your tips for those just starting out =)

Like it? Share it!

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108 Comments

  1. Hi Anne-marie and BB team. It’s frustrating that I do not have access to BB products as I am in the UK and also a lot of the regs are different, but I am getting my head around that slowly. So my main issue is the cost of having my recipes verified by a chemist and paying £150+ for each recipe. Not a small sum for a very small concern. I have looked into all other aspects and until I can afford to pay for at least 5 or 6 recipes, I am stumped, but can use the time experimenting and giving out samples for some market research!
    I am toying with the idea of party plan and craft fayres to start with and see how that goes. I have a record of my soaps on my own FB page that everyone asks about so I will, for now, carry on creating the demand!! Luckily here, there are not many soap businesses due to the hoops needed to jump through but if I take my time I think I am going to enjoy this very much. My full time job means 48 hr shifts giving me lots of time off in between so no need as yet to stop work or soaping 🙂 Some of my paperwork and online work can be done whilst at work so all good so far. Thanks for the inspirational posts, blogs, tutorials and videos. It was a chance finding on you tube that got me hooked from the beginning and I now have your books too. Best go now. At work!! Many thanks again. Wendy in UK.

  2. My apologies for commenting on such an old article, but I found it very informative! I love making soap and I always do very well at street/craft fairs. My problem is that I can’t sell my product as fast as I make it (I am to blame, I really love making soap!). Other than fairs, I sell on Etsy but rarely get any clicks. I recently started a paid promoted listings campaign on Etsy, still to no avail. This may be a silly question, but how does one sell more soap? I believe I found a good niche and carefully design the packaging myself. It’s a bit crummy when you have to pay $200 for a table at a fair to actually move product! Any words of wisdom or advice?

    Thank you!

  3. Hi,
    I am a new soaper/latebloomer artist/ business. I am a home based business and I’m doing pretty good and getting nothing but positive feedback. My question is, Is it common practice for a small business like mine to Trademark my business name and product. It’s costly to do. My product is being sold in one boutique already.
    Thank you for your input.

    • Hi Susan!

      Good question. In general applying for a business name (becoming an LCC/corporation) with your state is more common. This protects your business name within your state, which is enough for many small business owners. A trademark protects your name on a federal level, but is a more complicated process and more expensive. Which path you choose will depend on how much legal protection your brand needs, and how big you’d like it to grow. Congrats on your success so far! 🙂

      -Amanda with Bramble Berry

  4. Marketing seems to be my biggest hurdle. I can’t sell girl scout cookies. I mostly make goat’s milk soap from our herds fresh milk.

  5. As a small business who’s expanding into soaps I find the start up paper work is really easy and only takes 15 minutes here. It’s the ongoing record keepin I find harder. I’m a fibre artist who started in hand dyed Canadian yarns and expanded into different woven and felted products. I just started felting soaps made by a local soap maker and they have been a big hit. After talking to a friend who also sells hand felted soap I decided to jump in with two feet and make 16 5lb batches for this show season. I intend on felting almost all the 380 soaps unless having request others whise. My only issue is how to batch up beyond 5 pounds without spending a fortune on equipment. I am finding so far that most books and websites aren’t giving proper safety instructions which I find disturbing. Do you have a list of recommended ressources?

    • Hi Samantha!

      That sounds awesome, I’m so glad your felted soaps are a hit! I love the way felted soap looks. Also, congratulations on expanding and making a large order!

      When it comes to making large batches, having larger containers can definitely help. If you’re looking for an economical option, you may want to check out buckets used to mix paint. They are nice and sturdy and can hold quite a bit of soap. 🙂

      Without large mixing equipment, you may have to make your soap in several batches. If you’re planning on making large amounts of soap in the future, you may want to look into larger equipment.

      Soapers on the Teach Soap Forum may have more suggestions and tips as well: teachsoap.com/forum

      As for safety instructions, gloves, goggles and long sleeves are a must. Learn more about working with lye safely in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR6ttCSrLJI

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  6. Hi! I am a soapmaking newbie and like most people that has made their first batch; I am hooked! I am now considering selling my handmade soaps but I just do not know where to start. I feel overwhelmed. If Someone could help me simplify the process like shipping/labels, breaking down costs, how to get a client base,etc that would be so much help!

  8. Facebook value is zero now that business page posts don’t show up in the newsfeed of people who have Liked the page.

    • Hi Denise!

      Hmm, that’s strange! We found that our posts show up in our followers’ news feeds. Are you not seeing our posts in your news feed? If so, you may want to contact Facebook to make sure everything is working properly!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

        • Hi Denise!

          It is true that Facebook has changed their policy of showing business pages on personal newsfeeds. However, we actually haven’t experienced a severe decline of unpaid posts.

          Thanks so much for sharing that article! That is definitely something we and other business owners can keep in mind when using social media. 🙂

          -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  9. Just starting small..my biggest obstacle at the moment is finding a custom mold manufacturer and designer. Really need advice as to how to search for one specific to soaps. I tried Thomas.net but all my searches end no where. can any one help at least narrow my key word search.?

  10. Right now soap making is just a hobby but I would enjoy expanding my hobby and eventually turning it into a business some day perhaps! Thanks for sharing!

  11. This couldn’t come at a better time for me! After relocating from PA to WA during the summer I’ve settled in and dusted off my melt and pour/wax tart skills. I certainly produce enough product to start several businesses! 😛

    The only pain for me is the paperwork of a business. Everything I knew about starting a business in Pennsylvania is useless now that I’m in Washington! I’m just worried I’ll miss a check mark or not fill out a form and the government will fine me! But hooefully the paperwork won’t be too much! :/

    • Hi Leanna!

      So happy you found the article helpful! Paperwork can definitely be worrisome. Checking out your local Department of Revenue site may be helpful when it comes to paperwork. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  12. A lot of great information, experiences and advice from people who are out there living it. My question is – what are the basic requirements for selling soap or body products? If you are just selling at craft fairs or here and there, do you need to be a “business” and have “paperwork” for that? And if you start up an Etsy site, do you need to have it? I am not a business, just an individual artisan. I have a name and logo for my products but I am not registered as a business or anything else official. If I start using the Square card reader to process credit card payments, do I have to be a registered business with a tax # etc? What all is necessary and when?

  14. Excellent article! The thing that is causing hesitation for me is thinking that the market might already be saturated with so many soap makers.

    I’m struggling with how I would set myself apart and come up with something really unique that will get noticed.

    So often when I go to craft shows or farmers markets I see people with their soaps that took so much time to create and people just walk by and don’t stop to even look. That is the main thing that’s holding me back.

    Love your site and videos!

    • Hi Jaime!

      So glad you like the post!

      Finding a niche can really help set you apart from other soapers. It may be the way you design your soaps, certain types of scents you use or a special ingredient you use in each soap. For instance, Kristen with the Silk Soap Company uses silk in all her soaps. You can read more about her and get advice and tips in this interview with her: http://www.soapqueen.com/business/silk-soap-company-interview/

      Finding that niche can help people at local markets stop by and see all your amazing handcrafted soaps. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  15. Hello Ann-Marie
    I’m curious to know how do you decide how much inventory to start with when you first start out? I would assume that you don’t want to have too much sitting but at the same time you don’t want customers waiting 4+ weeks for a bar.

    • That’s a great question. It depends on if you’re doing cold process, hot process or melt and pour. Shelf life is always a big deal. I’m assuming you’re doing cold process soap based on your note.

      There are two schools of thought on this:

      1. Put soap up for sale that hasn’t fully cured and send it to the customer with a ‘do not use until’ date and put that in the description. I’m not a huge fan of this b/c it takes away the ability to have the ‘instant gratification’ of using the soap the second you receive it. Part of getting a repeat customer IS that WOW(!) factor after the open the box. That said, I understand the reason for this, especially when you’re getting started.
      2. Only start with a core line of products that you can support initially. Do you know that Bramble Berry started with only 5 fragrances, 5 molds and 2 soap bases? 12 products that has now grown to 2500. It makes sense to just start with a few soaps (5 fragrances in soaps and lotions and scrubs possibly) and then work up from there. Ultimately, the larger batch sizes you can make, the more profit you’ll receive from each bar of soap (cleaning up a 25 pound batch isn’t much more time than a 5 pound batch) so that’s one argument to editing your line down and offering a few fun seasonal “not going to be permanent” designs.

      It is just fine to start small and then slowly grow as your budget and processes allow =)

  16. Great Slideshow and article. I am all set up and ready to go, LLC, Sales Tax account etc. That part was easy for me, since I have been in business for myself for over 25 years. However, what holds me back is the other businesses I am involved in. I own and operate three restaurants which keeps me busy for almost every hour in a single day. I spare a few hours a week to play with soap. I am also a metalsmith so creating jewelry is a passion, the soap making is something which I stumbled across trying to create soap for myself and my family which was healthier then the commercial ones. I dream of the day I can devote my time to a soap business and/or handcrafted Jewelry business and best of all employ only myself. No workers compensation insurance, Payroll taxes and other employee related problems. Which are huge in the restaurant biz.

    I will keep focused on my ultimate goal and one day, I will be selling my beautifully handcraft soaps and jewelery.

    Thanks for your inspiring website. 🙂

    • Hi Clairissa!

      Wow, it sounds like you’re definitely keeping busy! It’s amazing that you own and operate several businesses and still find time to soap. Can’t wait to see where your soaping and jewelry business takes you! 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  17. Hey Ann-Marie & BB Team,
    Inspiring article! I, totally agree that starting small is the best idea else it all becomes too intimidating. I’m based out of Bangalore, India, and have just started my handmade bath and body products business. I too had my apprehension about all things as you mentioned but once I made up mind I was like..I have to do this!! To keep things simple and easy going and in control, have started with soaps and gradually I’ll add on more products in the range. Buying ingredients in small quantity is a challenge in India. We have big suppliers, who exports all over the world but not ready to support local business.
    I have family in States and through them I had called for few ingredients from BB mid this year when they were visiting us. Have yet to use few of them..and I’m worried what will happen once they are over. Handmade businesses are still at nascent stage here, but things are changing now for better. Wherever, have time I ensure to read one or two articles on BB site to educate myself. You guys have been such an inspiration for me. You all make such lovely products..hope I can reach there soon.
    Good luck to all you guys who want to start their business and to those as well who have started. We too need blessing 😉

    • Hi Kind On Skin!

      So glad you like the article! Congratulations on starting your business, that’s such a huge accomplishment. Hopefully you can find a supplier in India that suits your needs.

      Also, I’m so glad you like the articles and products! Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  18. I agree with all the comments above on things holding them back. But I am also leary because I’m not quite sure what can and can’t be used. For example, every time I see a really neat item that Anne Marie walks us through making I think “Wow, I know some people who would love that!” But, I don’t know which things we can duplicate and sell. I’ve only come across one site so far where it is posted “These recipes may be used for personal use only for family or to give to friends but may not be used to sell merchandise.”
    And even though I’ve seen quite a few of the same soaps on different Etsy stores, I’m very nervous.

    • Hi Jenna!

      Great news – all of the recipes on soapqueen.com are free for you to use and sell! Many of our customers sell products made from our tutorials. We also see lots of creative personal touches on the recipes as well. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  19. I appreciate all of the advice given in the slide presentation. Taking time to do that and share knowledge is invaluable.
    I happened into soaping after starting off with body butters. I live in a very dry climate and I had always purchased butters from various retail chains. I made the body butters and gave them to family and friends.
    When visiting my local farmers market, I spoke with a crafter of soaps and lotions. She mentioned that once I started making soap (she could see the writing on the wall), it would become addictive. She was right.
    The next level is a bit challenging. I’ve read stories about someone starting a soap business from $100 bucks and becoming wildly successful. I, myself, have not had that kind of success. As posters before me have stated, the expense can be exhausting. Finding your niche, developing a brand, increasing brand awareness…it all takes time and a great deal of money.
    I’ve taken a step back from the move forward for just a bit-I am working on completing my thesis and am set to finish my masters in December. After that, I should have MORE time, but probably LESS money! 🙂
    I am set to participate in my FIRST craft fair in mid-November. I am truly excited about that!
    All the best,
    Cynthia

    • Hi Cynthia!

      Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Have fun at your first craft fair. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  20. What’s holding me back? The paperwork! It’s all so confusing! Do I file as a sole proprietorship, or just fill out paperwork for a DBA? (doing business as)
    Or, just file for a tax ID, as I see some people just do only this.
    Trademarks? Should I file for one? Ahh!

    Next would be the cost of decent insurance. I’d love to join the IBN or HSMG but being a full time college student and only working part time, I can’t just drop $500.

    It’s frustrating for me, I know I have a good product, and I like my branding/packaging. But the paperwork side of it is holding me back.

    • Hi Katie!

      Paperwork can definitely be daunting, I see where you’re coming from!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

  21. My biggest roadblock (I feel) has been my local competition. I know there will always be other soapmakers out there, I don’t expect to claim I’ve reinvented the wheel. However, there is one competitor in particular that uses neem oil in their products and actually makes claims that this will cure people’s acne, eczema, and psoriasis. I’ve brought this to the attention of the organizers of a particular market and they washed their hands of any liability. So how do I compete with my soap that just, well, cleans?

    • Hi Jaime!

      It can be intimidating to compete with other creative soapers. You just have to keep in mind that your work is great as well, and sometimes people love the simplicity. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Oh this is the million dollar question isn’t it? How do you compete with people that are breaking the law and making medical claims – when you’re doing the right thing by your soap and the law?

      Ultimately, it comes down to your values and your ethics. You feel strongly that complying with the law is the right thing to do and that is how you are building your business. This IS the right thing to do.

      The FDA can and does crack down on claims. A recent one can be seen here: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2014/ucm415809.htm

      In the meantime, please continue building your business with integrity, educating your customers and focusing on what you can do to really make a niche that puts you in less direct competition with this other soaper that is making claims on their product that they should not be.

      =) Anne-Marie

  22. I agree with Amanda all the way,just don’t want to repeat her, but it is exactly the same issues. Do I need all those papers if I only want to sell on Etsy when I start ? If there are some papers that I can skip on this case , please share it. Thank you.

  23. The wall I find is soaping for fun as opposed to soaping for work. When you start to repeatedly mass produce the same stuff it completely loses the fun that it once was. Going back to side income/hobby and cutting my wholesale this year.

  24. Pls where exactly is the link to “5 Tips to Take Soaping from Hobby to Business”. I’ve been looking for it & always arriving at nothing. Is it not better to make things simpler by just including a link to what you are talking about. I find out at times one has to rummage through your writing in order to get to a link, & one ends up not reading it. Pls take this into consideration. Let the link stand out.

  25. Im right in the middle of making my own bussines. The wall I always find in front of me is not the paper work, not the passion or anything like that. My problem is the money which is needed to invest at the beginning to start the bussines, opening a shop etc. I was thinking of looking for an investor, but I don’t know where to look for.

    • HI Mary,

      Cash is always a problem, no matter how big your business grows. =) Managing cash is one of the main issues that most businesses have so you’re not alone in that concern.

      My advice would be to not eat the whole elephant at once. You don’t need to worry about the shop until you’re selling out at the craft shows you’re doing at the weekends, or when you’re selling out of your Etsy shop etc.

      Any investor is going to want to see a track record of you selling your products and having widespread market adoption before they invest. This means that starting small, and proving success in multiple areas (Etsy, craft shows, consignment, Artfire, wholesale accounts) makes a lot of sense both for your own cash flow needs (small, consistent steady growth is manageable) and will give you some momentum if you do decide to go to a bank for a loan or get an investor to help you out in the future.

      Consistent daily effort is key to sustaining a business long term =)

      Keep me posted on how it goes,

      Anne-Marie

  26. Hello I’m Adriana and I love purchasing soapy colors and products from BrambleBerry! I find selling on Etsy as a great way to make an income to support my family. My business sort of just happened once I fell in love with handmade soap. As a Wedding Officiant I started to showcase my soaps as Bridal favors and almost every one of my brides purchased soap favors from me, this lead me to open my Etsy Shop in 2010. I often think of taking this small little business to the next level but I realize that I would not be able to personally oversee each soap favor that goes out to my brides, as I would have to hire and train others to make these soapy beauties. So I hold myself back and my reward is that I love my job!!! I advise others to enjoy the moment and stay focused if you want to grow, stay positive. Do a little every day to propel you to grow. Do not look at all the negatives… they are only in our head. Blessings!

  27. I am a massage therapist who loves all things natural. I imported 32 tons of pink Himalayan salt late last year to build a Himalayan salt cave for all my clients who suffer so badly with allergies. Once I was done building the cave I realized that no only do they need to treat their lungs but their skin is also very badly affected by chemicals in store bought products. So I started making soaps mostly with generous helpings of butters, golden jojoba and Argan oil. My biggest draw back is that I do not feel particularly confident with the use of colors in CP soap. I try to use vegetable colorants but I just find that they are not vibrant enough. Other than that it would be to find enough time to finally put the products on my website. Currently they sell out as we put them on the shelf. I would also love to have a program of sorts that I could download on my tablet that could save my recipes and have built in to it a lye calculator, along with a fragrance calculator and recipes and suggestions, maybe a template which as I input my recipe takes the ingredients and creates an ingredient label??? That would be so awesome, sigh I can but only dream.

    • Hi Janine!

      Your soaps sound so skin loving and luxurious! Perfect for sensitive skin.

      Also, Bramble Berry has an app that has a lye and fragrance calculator. You may find it helpful! To download it, search “Bramble Berry” in the App Store. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Janine,

      Wow, a Himalayan salt cave? That sounds incredible! Do you have photos online? I’d love to see it.

      Have you tried oxides yet for colorants? https://www.brambleberry.com/Pigments-C45.aspx or maybe the Lori Nova e-book and kit? https://www.brambleberry.com/Color-with-Confidence-Starter-Kit-P4682.aspx That kit may help give you the confidence you need to really dive into making colorful soap that doesn’t use colorants traditionally considered fully synthetic.

      I’m so happy that you have products that sell out the second you put them on the shelf. You must have wonderful formulations. That’s a good thing!

      I’m so intrigued by your cave and would love to know more if you get a chance to post a link to the photos =)

      Anne-Marie

  28. Firstly , thanks for that great presentation, please know that the time and effort that you put into sharing your knowledge is really appreciated. I think your company is just the greatest.

    I feel a bit lucky now after reading the first three comments.

    I am a Reflexologist/Remedial Massage Therapist and have always worked from home – I have two treatment rooms, a waiting room. bathroom and a reception – a bit small but adorable and comfortable.

    I started looking into natural soap making due to having a few children coming for therapy and noticed they were suffering from various skin allergies. the parents said they had tried everything but nothing helped, also one of my Grandson’s (I have 5 Grandsons, where are the girls? just joking I love them all), was born with really bad Eczema all over his body, even his head and face. My son and his wife tried everything and were at their wits end, nothing seemed to help. So I made some natural Goat’s Milk soap for them to try (I used a book I bought, boy I was nervous, but for the suffering children, I would never have attempted it). After about 3 weeks my Grandson was free of Eczema and it has not returned. The other children I gave the soap to also got better and one of the parents was taking weekly progress pictures, I was amazed at how quickly the skin repaired.

    I was making soap and giving it away to everyone in the clinic and family and after a while people started to pay me for it and now I have clients ring to book in and ask to come half an hour early so they can shop in my reception area. I was already in business as a therapist for 6 years before I started selling my soap, so I guess I am very lucky.

    I can understand your hesitation but when the soaping bug has bitten you its hard not to share it with the world.

    Good luck guys and I hope things change and barriers are lifted so you can live your dreams. Yes the paper work is a lot but it is worth it.

    God Bless

    • Hi Sandra,

      So interesting I see we both are therapists and left comments one after the other.

      So happy to hear that your business is doing well.

      Like you I have been a therapist for many years and I feel truly blessed to have my clients love my soaps. Wish you loads of fun and success.

      Janine

    • Hi Sandra!

      Thank you so much for sharing your inspirational story! It’s very motivating for other soapmakers to see this. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Oh that is wonderful that you have a built in clientele and an amazing product. That does make breaking into it a bit easier, doesn’t it? =) But still, you had to take the risk to open your own practice, to sign that lease, to get insurance etc. so while you didn’t have to risk as much with this soap part of your business, you did risk and take chances before that.

      Congratulations on your thriving business and now, your second thriving income stream. That is an awesome success story. =)

      A-M

  29. I have been selling soap and lotion at craft fairs and to friends for about 4 years. I would love to sell in stores but making that contact is what holds me back…that and needing a UPC.

    I am very computer literate but the social media is still not something I use other than to follow my son on FB. I need to embrace that and I need to learn to take decent pictures of my products.

    • Hi Barbara,

      Oh I feel your pain with the UPC codes. They can be stressful to deal with for sure.

      I haven’t tried this site personally but have heard good things about them http://ezupc.com/ for getting UPC codes for less money and less hassle.

      Social Media is something can be learned and I know you can do it with slow baby steps. Donna Maria at Indie Business Network has a lot of great blog articles about getting started – and of course, Soap Queen does as well. HubSpot has some easy to follow white papers and Gary Vaynerchuk’s latest book is pure gold – and still relevant.

      I wish you much success as you continue to grow your business. =)

      A-M

  30. Great tips on turning a hobby into a business!

    I’ve been working slowly all year to get my business rolling. It’s still not ready. There is a lot of research to be made while starting up, laws and bylaws are different in every city, state/provice and Country.

    The start up cost isn’t cheap, but like any business, a loss is expected in the first two years.

    Thanks for the tips, they do encourage me to keep going!

    • Hi Lianne!

      I’m so glad you like this post! Also, good luck! 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Hi Lianne,

      Yes, there are some start up costs and some start up costs are ‘nice to haves’ versus ‘definitely needs.’ Example: wiz bang website vs starting on Etsy or craft shows. It’s hard to figure out which is which sometimes.

      I am so pleased to read that you’ve been taking positive, small steps to getting started. It just takes consistent daily action. There’s this myth that it needs to be a huge knock-it-out-of-the-park move forward when really, business success is often just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other consistently. =)

      Keep me posted when you launch. I can’t wait to hear about it.

      =)

  31. I kind of fell into my business of selling soap. I work for a large bakery in the retail store department. We are in a high tourist attraction area. The lady that was selling soaps decided she couldn’t keep up with the demand. I had never molded soap but I researched on Bramble Berry site and read all I could. I figured “how hard can it be to buy ‘melt and pour goat’s milk soap’ and pour it into molds?” I needed a niche so I thought since our company’s emblem is a flying pig, that I would get flying pig molds. I don’t color them. I leave them white because our bakery products are all natural with no preservatives and I knew our customers preferred natural things. Then to decide on scents I would look at our bakery products and do mostly food scents like almond or oat and honey or coconut. After a year of selling pigs and they were doing so well (we could hardly keep up with it), I decided what is Maine known for? Lobster and lighthouses. So I approached the owner about selling lobster and lighthouse shaped soaps. He said they would not sell but I could try them. They are now my best sellers. I also do a fragrance free flying pigs for those who want the pigs but not the scent. I put all my soap in clear plastic bags so they can be seen and smelled. I also use gold metallic twist ties to stand out and I make my own little hang tags with colorful scrape booking paper and a free online template. This little side business now gives me more income then what I make working 3 days a week in the bakery and during peak tourist season it is equal to working full time. I am so glad I fell into this business! I wanted a little side business for when I retire in 2015 and now I have it.

    • Arlene, i am so happy for your success! Also how awesome to retire making money at a project you truly enjoy. what an inspiration for all us others who are just starting to get our feet wet in the soap industry. thank you for sharing 🙂

    • I love how you’ve kept it so simple and focused! I think most if us go wrong by making too wide a range of products.

    • Hi Arlene!

      That’s awesome! It’s so interesting that you used your surroundings as inspiration to create cute soaps. Congratulations. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • That is awesome – way to rock it at your business – and for taking the risk to start your business.

      I love that you recognized that you needed a niche and that you figured out what that would be – and then expanded that concept in a deliberate, planned fashion.

      Congratulations; I love your success story =)

  32. I am a sole proprietor and sell mainly out of my home and on etsy. I often dream of doing something bigger: opening my own shop, selling wholesale to other beauty businesses, etc. I think the idea of the paperwork, taxes, and just general keeping up with logging sales and inventory is what stops me. I feel the level I have now is manageable, but it is also limiting.

    • This is mainly my intentions too. I have a tax ID but do you have insurance and all that stuff? I live in Texas. I just want to keep it a hobby/small business and sell o family and friends and craft shows. I also have a fb page for advertising. Thanks for any help!

    • Hi Catherine!

      I can definitely see how that would be intimidating!

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Yes – doing all the things that a larger business requires can be intimidating. But, like raising children, you don’t just end up with a big business overnight. It slowly grows, you slowly add more business procedures, you slowly add more forms that you need to fill out etc. It doesn’t just happen over night. It’s a nice slow progression and just by growing 5-10% a year, you may find yourself ready to leap, and take that next step of doing something bigger =) In the meantime, stay within that comfort zone and just barely push the edges out so you’re always growing just a bit more each year.

      =) A-M

  33. The only thing holding me back right now is capital. Capital for my insurance, cost of my LLC incorporation, and my licensing fees, so I am on the hunt for another part time job, because I have customers waiting! And it will come to fruition!

    • Hi Donna!

      That’s a great way to think about it – it will come to fruition and it will be awesome. 🙂

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Hi Donna,

      I totally just answered someone with a similar issue to yours above in the comments. But I’ll paraphrase the ending for you just in case you don’t end up reading my long comment to Amanda =)

      “It should not cost you $3500 to start a soapmaking business. If you do a sole proprietorship + an insurance policy + federal and state licensing fees, you will be around $500-$600 – or closer to $150 if you can use your home insurance to start with.

      Starting small and taking small baby steps to your ultimate goal is possible – and with your family situation, IS the way to go. Your goal is to make a better life for your family, to enjoy the thrill of entrepreneurship and to help stabilize your income for years to come. That can absolutely take longer if you go slower and by decreasing the speed of growth, you can also decrease your risk.”

      =)

  34. I really needed this! I was just asked about an hour ago how everything was going with getting my business together. After relocating in June, I just haven’t gotten back on track. I did get a FEIN, but I’ve been procrastinating on everything else even though I have people that like my products. How do you get away from the “is my product good enough” thought?? And I agree with Amanda, start up costs can be daunting. Thanks!

  35. What’s holding me back from transitioning from hobbiest to business owner: The initial paperwork start up costs. Becoming an llc, business license permits, sales tax numbers, insurance, and then the federal paperwork. This can become very daunting to figure out but you really cannot skip these steps. Oh don’t forget the po box since fda requires addresses on the packaging. And all of these costs are before you’ve even made a dime, not to mention once you file and pay all this paperwork your count down begins to filing and paying it the next year. Okay I feel better just getting all of that out in the open. I’m scared that I will put my family into about 3500.00 in debt without making any money. With three preteen boys under our roof that’s a lot of groceries. There’s really no answer to these things I just have to decide to go for it or keep it at the hobby level… Just thought I’d share my biggest barrier, I’m sure that I’m not alone in this.

    • I didn’t think a PO box address would suffice?

      Why the LLC other than lawsuit protection? Just curious as I have never considered an LLC, I just do a sole proprietor.

      • It really depends on where you live in MI LLC is the best option for most people. Other states may vary.

      • You can also get a m”Mail Service Box” it’s more professional,which give you the same full address of your local post office with a unique #, but it is actually a P.O. box, but only you and the post office knows that !

      • “Real” soap with lye and oils is NOT a food or drug and is NOT regulated by the FDA but rather the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please don’t put out bad information for others. Read the facts here http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm115449.htm.
        I’m not sure where you have come up with this expense number, but LLC’s are under $100 in most states (CA is different). FEIN from federal governement are free. Insurance is probably a few hundred dollars per year. These are all things one can do oneself. If you can figure out how to make soap without killing yourself or other people, you can file this paperwork! lol The biggest expense are the products to make the soap — molds, oils, FO are expensive, and colorants. Just saying, you know how to do the hard part — make the soap — the rest is just paperwork.

      • A sole proprietor offers zero liability protection bc you are not a separate corporate entity. You should be protected by some form of a corporate entity. For a start up an LLC is recommended, but check with your tax advisor. You can deduct start up expenses if you’re an LLC. I am not a CPA but have owned businesses.

    • Hi Amanda!

      All the steps can be daunting, that’s for sure! I can definitely see where you’re coming from.

      -Kelsey with Bramble Berry

    • Oh my goodness, Amanda, those are all very real concerns. Starting a business can be scary – and I think that every new business person feels those things. And, the fear doesn’t go away just because you get bigger.

      So, some advice from someone who has been in the trenches:

      1. I started as a sole-proprietor. It is initially much cheaper to do than starting as a corporation and you don’t need to file a separate tax return for that.
      2. You don’t need to put your home address down on the packaging if you have a listed phone number in the phone book with your address. When is the last time anyone looked at a phone book? And the Soap Guild does have a petition in right now to change that physical address need. I hope that goes through. It would make a lot of home crafters feel much more at ease with labeling laws.
      3. Sales tax numbers typically are free or included in your business license applications.
      4. Insurance is the real kicker in terms of cost. You will pay around $350/year for separate insurance. However, many home owner’s policies cover $5000-$15000 per year in small business insurance if you are running a business from your home. Mine did when I was first starting out so I did not have to buy insurance until I was making over $5000 per year in sales.

      It should not cost you $3500 to start a soapmaking business. If you do a sole proprietorship + an insurance policy + federal and state licensing fees, you will be around $500-$600 – or closer to $150 if you can use your home insurance to start with.

      Starting small and taking small baby steps to your ultimate goal is possible – and with your family situation, IS the way to go. Your goal is to make a better life for your family, to enjoy the thrill of entrepreneurship and to help stabilize your income for years to come. That can absolutely take longer if you go slower and by decreasing the speed of growth, you can also decrease your risk.

      I hope that sharing my experience helps you feel more positive about making a small step – not a ginormous leap – into self-employment. =)

      Anne-Marie

      • Where does this address requirement come from? Who is the regulating agency that requires this? Thank you.

    • “Real” soap with lye and oils is NOT a food or drug and is NOT regulated by the FDA but rather the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Please don’t put out bad information for others. Read the facts here http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm115449.htm.
      I’m not sure where you have come up with this expense number, but LLC’s are under $100 in most states (CA is different). FEIN from federal governement are free. Insurance is probably a few hundred dollars per year. These are all things one can do oneself. If you can figure out how to make soap without killing yourself or other people, you can file this paperwork! lol The biggest expense are the products to make the soap — molds, oils, FO are expensive, and colorants. Just saying, you know how to do the hard part — make the soap — the rest is just paperwork.

      • Here is more information on the current state of labeling regulations – http://www.soapqueen.com/business/update-po-box-label-petition/ – the CPSC also requires a full address under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.

        You are right. True soap falls under the CPSC. Most soapers that I see are more on the cosmetic end of things with either their full range of products or the claims they are making.

        David Fisher wrote an awesome article about just this very thing. It’s here http://candleandsoap.about.com/od/soapglossary/a/soaplabeling.htm and I’ve copied the most relevant part of it below:

        “Now, we’re just going to be talking about soap here…not cosmetics. For your soap to be viewed as soap in the eyes of the governmental labeling laws, your soap must be real soap – made primarily of oils and lye…and it must not make any cosmetic claims like “moisturizing”, “exfoliating”, or “deodorizing” – it just has to be soap…that cleans. This includes melt and pour soap bases too, as long as they are real soap, made primarily with oils and lye.

        Soap falls under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission which requires the following on the label:

        Wording on the package that identifies the product as “Soap”
        Net weight of product
        Name and address of your business

        However, I have found that most consumers want to know more about the products they are buying. They at least want to know the ingredients. So most soap makers include them on the labels as well. If you’re going to list the ingredients, I recommend you list them per the guidelines of the FDA.”

        Here’s the FDA link to Soap FAQs for an even more in-depth explanation of these nuances: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductsIngredients/Products/ucm115449.htm

        Happy Soaping!