A Happy Hello and Introduction

[KateInBrightPlaces]

Hi everyone!

I'm so excited to have found this message board! (Not that it was that hard, with it being the first Google result I got. Ha ha.) I've had many great experiences with message boards in the past, and it looks like this one is another awesome group of people for me to connect with.

I've been making homemade body products for a few years now, and I absolutely love it. But just recently (like this week) I've decided I want to start selling some of what I make. The idea came from me looking at the surplus of various leftover ingredients I've accumulated. And the idea grew as I imagined being able to earn some money doing what I love, and being able to share the love and joy I put into my stuff with others.

And that's what brings me here. In trying to research what all is involved with selling homemade bath and body products, I've become a little overwhelmed. I know how to make stuff for myself and my family and friends. But if I'm going to sell these products, they had better be 100% safe, legal and hopefully high-quality. I'm sure this thought process is familiar to most of you, which is why I'm here. I'm hoping I can draw upon the wisdom and experience of the members here, so as to steer myself in the right direction.

So that's how I got here. As far as my introduction goes, I'm a mom of three (9-year-old twin girls and a 20-month-old daughter). I live with them and my husband, just west of Portland, Oregon. I love all things crafty and am obsessed with good smells and essential oils. Hmm, I don't know what else I should say about myself, but if anyone has any questions, I'm happy to answer them.

Anyway, thank you all for being here, and I look forward to getting know you!

~~~ Kate

 

[CaraCara]

Hi Kate and welcome. There is a wealth of information here and lots of talent.

 

[kazmi]

Hi Kate! Nice name and welcome!

Kate Z

 

[Hazel]

Hello and welcome! :wave:

Starting a home based B & B business can be frustrating. I don't know if you've already checked with the SBA and score.org for information. There are a couple of stickies in the General Business forum which you might find helpful to read, too. I know specifically one is about soap but the info in it will also apply to bath and body/cosmetic products.

 

[KateInBrightPlaces]

Thanks for the welcomes!

And thanks, Hazel, for directing me to those stickies in the General Business forum. There's a lot of food for thought there, definitely. And I think having read those will alter my coarse of action, hopefully for the better. I kind of feel like I don't know how to know when I'm ready to sell my stuff. But then a voice in my head says that if I feel unsure about that, there's my answer. I think it's really important that I follow the "take it slow" advice in those stickies, which will take some will power on my part, because I'm very eager, excited and enthusiastic about my business idea. But all those warnings in the business forum are absolutely valid. I don't want to rush into anything that might cause harm to anyone involved.

So anyway, thanks again for pointing me there. And I look forward to taking in lots more great advice here as I procede (slowly!) on my B & B making (and hopefully one day selling) journey!

See you all around.