In 7 years of selling my soap, I've discovered that people will buy anything....not the same people, mind you. But I have taught several other soapmakers in my neighbourhood, never fearing that I will lose my customer base, because I have chosen to attract a certain group of people; each soapmaker has her own style and customs, and selling techniques, shape of bar, wrapping style, ingredients in it, etc....
So don't worry: MP does sell, and sell well. and so does CP or HP....
Your question was about finding niches. My son the B.Comm expert recommended that I focus on my 'intended market', which includes: socioeconomic status (which will point you to the neighbourhood you want to sell in); age group (stores that attract teens? kids? older adults? middle-ageers?)
These answers will help you decide on your packaging style: funky, wildly stylish; modern or antique, or country plain, and many more....
My experience: I began with a one Christmas craft table at a small mall, then one small Xmas show in a local town; then learning as I went along, I decided which venues I personally preferred to be at. I didn't like one hot, glass-ceilinged market place cuz the soaps sweated in the heat. I tried outdoors at this market, and it rained, ruining some of my wrappers; I also found out that customers drop bars in the grass, making them pretty dirty, then put them back on the display (or try to :wink: ). I liked an outdoor herb fair when the weather was good, and I re-designed my wrappers so the soap wouldn't slip out of wrapper when a customer picked it up.....etc. etc..
for me it was trial-and-error.
I also had a few different wholesale accounts, and found that some of them gave me grief; one store owner insisted on deciding which scents she wanted. Then she wanted smaller bars, which for me required different wrapping. Another store wanted a specific type of 'spiritual' wrapper. I made it for them, then they found that customers preferred my original wrapper, with a farm scene. They came back to me requesting I change all the wrappers back to my original. Another didn't like the wrapper at all and wanted naked bars..
I now have just one wholesale account I love. It's close by and I can inspect the soaps whenever I want, replacing damaged ones or dirty wrappers. I can clean the shelving when I choose to. (Store shelves can get neglected and make the product look dirty).
I like home shows, where I control the flow of traffic.
but once in awhile, it's fun to try out an entirely new locale.
Whatever you choose, good luck to ya! and HTH!
