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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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

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

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.

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...

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!

I am realizing how important packing is for my business. It's about placement, size, look and everything. This was great advice!

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 have only just started making soap, but yes I tick the three boxes! Very good thinking. Thank you.

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.

I'm guilty of all 3 subjects and I really appreciate your advice. Thanks so much for your help. Your a great teacher

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.

I believe I've already made 2 of the mistakes mentioned. But its never late to learn so thank you.

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 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 😊

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.

The one that resonates with me: the wrong packaging for the wrong market

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.

These are great bits of advice for anyone. Soap makers or even jewelers. Thank you for posting this!

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

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!

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.

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.

Great advice! Thanks for the post! I started my Candle and soap business this year, so I've a lot to learn.

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

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

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.

Thank you so much for this video! It was very helpful!

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!

Great advice! Thank you for this video, it’s very very valuable.

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.

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.

It's a small business I can do from home and working being disabled allows me to be productive and positive versus not!

Agree with all of your advises.. Infact started thinking about these ideas a while back..

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.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

thank you! im 18 and im trying to get into business, this is super helpful!

I'm just starting out and this was very helpful to me. Thank you so much!

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!

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 for this video!.I am researching to begin my soap business in a couple of months so great information

Excellent! I'm grateful for your useful information.

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.

love all your advice, having done all these things myself you are spot on!

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

Great tips! Very informative! I found you at the right time!

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

I love everything you said and I paid close attention to package that was something I really have been nervous about

Right timings to watch this video. Just was gonna start today making samples. So definitely making samples to cater to market is really important

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.

I am just starting out and everything you said is right on! Thank you for the wonderful tips! It is appreciated!

This a fantastic counsel. Thanks a lot.

This was so extremely helpful, THANK YOU!

Thank you for your advice. Made me confidence to go on with my plan....

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.

all three of these I can relate too! lol! thank you so much for the advice! Greatly Appreciated!! :) I love your channell

Very useful advice thank you x

Yes, all true and essential points. I decided to allow samples from scrapes for potential customers. Quality product gets sold. Must have a website.

Thank you soooo much for taking the time to share your expertise 😘😝😍 I have now subscribed to your feed and will be taking notes 📝!!!!

Speaking as a Marketing Consultant, this video is really good!

This all good advice & I am at fault for doing all three. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

This was super super helpful. I am actually just thinking about soap making and your pointers were so relevant and spot on. Thanks again.

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 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!

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.❤️

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

I love this video. It's the best I have ever seen.

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

Thank you! I just started. Grateful for your insight 🙏

great video!thanks so much. yes, they are all great points.

Thank you very much. Video is very helpful

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!

This is really great! Thank you so much. I feel like I need to pay more attention to wise coaching at this point.

Thank you for this video . 💕❤️💕❤️

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!

Getting ready to start my business, Thanks for this video!

Thank you . I haven’t started making soap yet but, this is excellent information to know !💕

Those are great tips!

So helpful!!! So much value in this video!!! Thank you so much 🙏🏼✨

I'm getting into making handmade body products, but thinking of it directly as a business. I've always admired the handmade bath bombs and soaps at the market and I'd love to get into it! Thank you for the helpful tips!

Wonderful advice and information in which I will take all into consideration. I am now in the business mode and into making a good quality product but still enjoy it plus ake a profit. You need to write this down and send it out. Namaste

Thanks for this wonderful advice

Thank you for your advice, so simple to understand, is straight to the point and doesnt involve to much information. I make my own wax melts and am looking at expanding into soap making aswell and this video is really informative, so thank you :-)

Well I made my third washing soda my mom cool with it and minister I'm gone keep making it atlese I can save and know what's n my stuff now I'm mad shampoo,body wash deodorant,so much dish soap ect...

Fantastic video. Question. How would you begin to decide what your target is??

Thank for that! You are amazing!:)

I know this is a test old and this was very helpful to me. I am just starting out so this was very helpful. Mistakes to avoid. Great video

OMG you really described me here =) Thanks for making this video!I'm guilty of the soap mountain a little bit, and definitely of the give aways! Thanks for making me realize that!

Thanks for your advice. I definitely have made all those mistakes

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

So much of knowledge.. Thank you .. Love from India🇮🇳

I love making stuff for people to get them what I have a good clean beautiful skin