How do you guard your recipes?

[shunt2011]

I just tell folks that ask that I've worked long and hard to put together my recipes and that is is my source of income and therefore I choose not to divulge my recipes. If they would like help with any questions regarding their recipes I would certainly be willing to help troubleshoot. Last year I was at a market and there was another soapmaker which I wasn't aware of at the time who was looking at my products and I was telling her all the great aspects of my product and she said oh, I'm from a family of 5 generations of soapmakers so you can't tell me anything I don't already know. She lasted 1 week at the market and never came back because people were looking for me specifically since I've been there 3+ years. I just go with the flow anymore.

 

[funastrum]

I just tell folks that ask that I've worked long and hard to put together my recipes and that is is my source of income and therefore I choose not to divulge my recipes. If they would like help with any questions regarding their recipes I would certainly be willing to help troubleshoot. Last year I was at a market and there was another soapmaker which I wasn't aware of at the time who was looking at my products and I was telling her all the great aspects of my product and she said oh, I'm from a family of 5 generations of soapmakers so you can't tell me anything I don't already know. She lasted 1 week at the market and never came back because people were looking for me specifically since I've been there 3+ years. I just go with the flow anymore.

Oy. People like that don't stay in business very long, customers and sellers are just people, and a lot of people are good at seeing who is stuck up/ has bad energy and who is actually excited about their craft. As long as we are still open to learn and expand, it really shows in the product that you make! When I think that I can't think of anymore new things to do, I get some idea and run with it.