tinytreats
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2012
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So i have been making soap for about 4 years now, and have only recently started to sell. I do seasonal craft fairs and the occasional Farmer's Market. I have gotten spontaneous response doing these shows, and i want to take this to the next level.
I am considering on wanting to do this full time, but I have a few questions for those that are way more experienced than I am. I kinda want to make a go at opening up my own store. I have no interest in selling wholesale, mainly because in my area, I really don't know which business I can see my product in. I have read to go to local boutiques and spas, but I almost feel like my product could be overlooked because it doesn't "match" the boutique.
I am also wanting to develop a business plan. I have a business plan model to refer to when writing this up, but the hardest question so far is answering "what problem does your product solve?". Well obviously it puts a stop to body odor! (haha) no, i'm joking, but i notice that a lot of soapers will have "all natural" ingredients in their products and use that as a selling point. My soaps are all natural as well--minus the fragrance oil & the occasional mica oxide. So i can't really use that as to "what makes my product better than yours". I guess what makes my products different than other's is that I'm not like the other soapers in my area. Almost every other soaper i have met uses all natural ingredients and all natural colorants and all natural everything. Their colors are muted and blah while mine are bold and bright. They're scents are earthy, mine are like POW! Like i said, I'm all natural too...to a point. I think my soap looks delicious, fun, and posh. Can I say that in my business plan? That my soap uses 99% all natural ingredients but is still fun and delicious? LOL
Now, I know some questions that may be asked are, how many clients do you make in a day, are you able to sell enough to make a profitable income and what not. I don't really sell online because how can someone buy soap without smelling it? I am the type of person who would never by scented products without smelling it. And selling on Etsy is a joke because of all the competition there is out there. I do get repeat business from who I have sold from previous shows, but I want a place to display what I have and urge a sale.
Sorry. That was long.
I am considering on wanting to do this full time, but I have a few questions for those that are way more experienced than I am. I kinda want to make a go at opening up my own store. I have no interest in selling wholesale, mainly because in my area, I really don't know which business I can see my product in. I have read to go to local boutiques and spas, but I almost feel like my product could be overlooked because it doesn't "match" the boutique.
I am also wanting to develop a business plan. I have a business plan model to refer to when writing this up, but the hardest question so far is answering "what problem does your product solve?". Well obviously it puts a stop to body odor! (haha) no, i'm joking, but i notice that a lot of soapers will have "all natural" ingredients in their products and use that as a selling point. My soaps are all natural as well--minus the fragrance oil & the occasional mica oxide. So i can't really use that as to "what makes my product better than yours". I guess what makes my products different than other's is that I'm not like the other soapers in my area. Almost every other soaper i have met uses all natural ingredients and all natural colorants and all natural everything. Their colors are muted and blah while mine are bold and bright. They're scents are earthy, mine are like POW! Like i said, I'm all natural too...to a point. I think my soap looks delicious, fun, and posh. Can I say that in my business plan? That my soap uses 99% all natural ingredients but is still fun and delicious? LOL
Now, I know some questions that may be asked are, how many clients do you make in a day, are you able to sell enough to make a profitable income and what not. I don't really sell online because how can someone buy soap without smelling it? I am the type of person who would never by scented products without smelling it. And selling on Etsy is a joke because of all the competition there is out there. I do get repeat business from who I have sold from previous shows, but I want a place to display what I have and urge a sale.
Sorry. That was long.