Business Planning for 2020

[amd]

Piggybacking on this older thread:
https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/what-have-you-done-for-your-business-lately.70480/

I'm curious what/if anyone has started planning for 2020 for their business.

A few things prompted this for my own business. After struggling for the second summer with the heat in the soap dungeon, I have realized that I need to plan my soapmaking such that I am making regular stock soap Oct through May. I'm willing to struggle through wholesale and custom orders during those months as I get paid very well for those type of soaps. The other prompt was taking on (another) part time job which reduces the time I can spend on my business, as I would like to be more plugged into family life when I am home.

While I was on vacation the end of July here's what I did

• a lot of digging around in my numbers and evaluating data
• Planning the soaps that sell, the soaps that I want to make, and finding the happy balance between the two so that I still find soapmaking enjoyable as well as profitable.
• made the decision to switch my soap designs to a tall & skinny mold
• tinkering with switching my aloe soaps to a vegan soap, but still need to test the recipes
• checked supplies and ordered everything I needed for the upcoming soap season

Still need to do:

• Look into a host to make social media a onestop shop
• Upgrade computer for better video editing (should be done on Friday)
• Create a "making" schedule for soaps to keep myself in check and on target
• Decide if I am going to continue with B&B or just stick with soap and lip balms

So.... who has started planning? Or who doesn't plan and how do you manage "winging it"?

 

[Cellador]

I am just starting out, but I have so many plans for my "free" time when both kids are in school.

• Get a business banking account
• Purchase insurance
• Work on designing a website
• Get together with my photographer friend - give her goods to photograph for website
• Buy containers and packaging
• Organize inventory
• Set-up social media sites for the biz
• Make stuff
• Sell stuff

This is all a gradual process, so I know there's going to be a lot I haven't even thought of planning yet. We'll see how it goes...

 

[Lin19687]

I am at a stand still till I buy a house.. ...not easy in the market here and what I am looking for

So far I have taken out the FO's that I will not be selling anymore due to not moving fast enough. This was for a full year of sales.

Decided on NOT making fun tops to the soaps and using Boxes. Looks nicer and easier to store plus less time consuming.

I also decided on cutting out the Yogurt for a Vegan friendly bar.

----------------------------

When I buy a house I plan on having my own Soaping room JUST for soaping so I can al plan out making for the year when the temps are decent.
Be more organized and buy supplies for the year all at once.

 

[Primrose]

I really should get more serious about my business but I'm still feeling my way into it.

Starting to sell and figuring out what sells and what doesn't

My goal for the next six months is just to get my website going and get a feel for selling and for making stock to keep.up with turnover etc

The six months after that I hope to focus more on getting a bit more serious. Getting the proper business plan up and going etc

 

[amd]

This is all a gradual process, so I know there's going to be a lot I haven't even thought of planning yet.

I would add to your list is to learn the sales tax rules and when/how you should be filing sales tax. I learned in June that I had been filing incorrectly for years (I wasn't filing city, county, and tourism taxes when they applied, I was only paying state sales tax) so I had to go back and amend my filings.

Another thing I would add is how you will be keeping track of your sales and costs. After 4 years I am finally getting a system in place for tracking sales, determining how much money I am actually making selling at shows, consignment, online, Etsy etc. that includes the fees for each place. And now I am tracking where I sold it and what tax I need to file! Bookkeeping for me is by far the worst part of the business, but I'm (slowly) getting the hang of it so that it is becoming less painful. I was really blessed to have a friend who is a bookkeeper for two businesses sit down with me this year and help me sort out how I should be tracking my costs.

Be more organized and buy supplies for the year all at once.

This idea is probably the hardest to stick too... there's always more FO's or colors to buy! Wishing both of us luck sticking to it!

My goal for the next six months is just to get my website going and get a feel for selling and for making stock to keep.up with turnover etc

Websites... sigh. It's a constant struggle, isn't it? Someday I hope to make enough that I can turn everything over to a virtual assistant. One thing that I didn't put on my list is that I want to talk to a VA (there's a local gal in town) to see what it costs and what she can do for me. If I can pass off my photo editing and creating listings that would be a magical thing...

 

[shunt2011]

My goal is rebranding. My divorce was final yesterday. Once he’s gone I’m turning his man cave int my soap room. I just need to get an air conditioner for some climate control in the summer. It has a gas heater. Then to rework a website and jump in more actively. I have two more shows this year. Didn’t plan well at all. Haven’t made soap since January. Did get some perfumes, lip balm and scrubs made.

 

[Cellador]

I would add to your list is to learn the sales tax rules and when/how you should be filing sales tax.


One thing that I didn't put on my list is that I want to talk to a VA (there's a local gal in town) to see what it costs and what she can do for me. If I can pass off my photo editing and creating listings that would be a magical thing...

Yes, that's something I forgot on my list. We have a CPA, & he said he would meet with me once I have a dedicated bank account & know what forms of payment I'll accept.
As for a VA, maybe check into an informal intern situation? I think there would be some high school or college kids that might be able to do it for work experience and a positive referral for future opportunities. The photographer friend of mine, she asked for payment in the form of products or discounts. Never overlook the power of bartering.

 

[amd]

My goal is rebranding.

Shari, I have been wondering how you were doing, but didn't want to pry. Glad to hear that things are getting finalized and moving forward. Please tell me that your rebranding has something to do with the street you live on! Looking forward to seeing how the rebranding looks when it's all done!

As for a VA, maybe check into an informal intern situation?

You would think with three teenagers in the house I could get one of them to do it for me, right?? Sigh.

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

I just started selling and I only make small batches and am running out of stuff. I have 3 small markets a week and then a show sale. I seem to have a handful of people that are following me around the fairs and markets (which I gotta admit makes me feel warm and fuzzy) but one made a comment that I didn't have anything new. I did but I just didn't bring it cuz I had a bigger craft fair the next day. so anyway I guess what I am getting at is I need to figure out how to keep my product fresh for the customers (as in new stuff). what I am doing now is bringing 3 of everything I have. I was thinking maybe I should leave stuff at home and rotate. but I keep thinking what if today is the day people want this or that? I have a list of things I think I should make after this week and have stuff curing. the one show I have late sept is about 50 miles south of the area I have been doing so it will be new to them.

 

[penelopejane]

My goal is rebranding. My divorce was final yesterday. Once he’s gone I’m turning his man cave int my soap room. I just need to get an air conditioner for some climate control in the summer. It has a gas heater. Then to rework a website and jump in more actively. I have two more shows this year. Didn’t plan well at all. Haven’t made soap since January. Did get some perfumes, lip balm and scrubs made.

Shari, so sorry to hear about your divorce. But I bet you are looking forward to having your own soap room. Very best wishes. Hope it goes well.

So far I have taken out the FO's that I will not be selling anymore due to not moving fast enough. This was for a full year of sales.

Decided on NOT making fun tops to the soaps and using Boxes. Looks nicer and easier to store plus less time consuming.

I also decided on cutting out the Yogurt for a Vegan friendly bar. .

What FOs didn't sell? (I know it is a regional thing but still...)
How do you know it isn't the soap recipe or pattern that made the soaps unloved?

 

[Lin19687]

I do several different shows in different areas last year. Recipe is relatively the same and i don't do intricate patterns. It is mainly the scent that sells... except for a few names that always sell, usually for gifts I think. I also even changed the names on a few to see if that would trigger a sell but no
Many are floral type which I am not fond of anyway. I am keeping the main florals; Lilac (huge seller) Rose, Lavender .
Here is a list of what didn't do it here https://www.soapmakingforum.com/threads/ng-fos-that-i-am-selling-15-scents.75587/

OH, also need to have a desk JUST for soap stuff so it doesn't have all sorts of FARM stuff written here and there... more like everywhere hahaha

 

[amd]

but I keep thinking what if today is the day people want this or that?

That's why I bring EVERYTHING. When I don't, I regret it. Only once have I had someone take me up on shipping it to them (but I think that was because she had seen me at another show and remembered the soap because she asked specifically for it). I'm doing a show on Saturday that I plan on bringing some endcuts of soaps on the cure rack just in case someone would be interested in preordering.

How do you know it isn't the soap recipe or pattern that made the soaps unloved?

Most people don't really look at the soap design, they buy based on scent. I think most who sell use a base recipe - just because it's easier for labels and making. Even among my own customers, they don't seem to have a preference if it is an aloe, coconut milk, or buttermilk soap (unless they have an allergy concern). For 2019 I switched up my label so that more of the soap is exposed (my show table was looking like a see of labels) just so that my table had more color to attract people in to pick things up.

@Lin19687 How did I not see your destash thread? Sigh. Nope, gotta stick to the plan. [dangit, Linda!]

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

I plan on bringing some endcuts of soaps on the cure rack just in case someone would be interested in preordering.

this is a great idea!!!!

 

[Lin19687]

@amd because your Hubby would KILL ME if THAT got sent to you too.

I may just use some for blending as it doesn't look like anyone in interested.

 

[penelopejane]

@Lin19687
Thanks for that. I quite like twilight in the woods but in my notes I have "nice at first but not good in the shower". I am sorry that is so unhelpful. I must write better notes.

I sell in a really small way. My soaps are different designs, different scents, different oils. I wrap my soap in decorative paper but have one of each in cellophane as an example of what is in the wrapping (amazingly these sell really well too). Anyway one soap didn't sell at all. The shop keeper told me to change the wrapping paper, nothing else. It is now a best seller. I prefer the first paper but who am I to dictate to the customer!!!

People here don't seem to buy on scent. It is all about the paper and then the soap design and then the oils. Weird.

 

[Primrose]

My goal is rebranding. My divorce was final yesterday. Once he’s gone I’m turning his man cave int my soap room. I just need to get an air conditioner for some climate control in the summer. It has a gas heater. Then to rework a website and jump in more actively. I have two more shows this year. Didn’t plan well at all. Haven’t made soap since January. Did get some perfumes, lip balm and scrubs made.

Hugs to you

It is almost three weeks since my husband moved out saying he needed time to figure out if he still wanted to be with me. And two weeks since he said he didn't.

I've already taken over the lounge room with soaping. Now I can do it while watching tv instead of out in the shed. Apart from that I'm a sorry mess. One step forward five steps back seems the norm. I can't sleep so soaping should be productive anyway

 

[Marilyn Norgart]

shunt and primrose I am sorry to hear you guys are going thru this!!

 

[Nanette]

Yes, shunt and primrose....sorry for all you are going thru..hopefully soap will be therapeutic!

 

[Nanette]

I had my business license -transaction privilege tax license for my county a long time before I started selling soap. Then I got my city business license when I started selling at the market--I only sell at one market. I make three pound loaves and do two or three a week so I constantly have soap and it is new but boy is it a lot of work. Ive been on a roll lately and made several fugly batches in a row, so I guess that will be the Halloween soap.....sigh.
I file my taxes quarterly, makes it easier since I dont have to do it as often and being I am at only one market I dont make thousands....quarterly works well.

 

[Lin19687]

@Nanette do you mean that you make 2-3 batches a week and then sell them at the market that weekend?