Ok, I have a very common question now.....

[Healinya]

You've heard it before - what do I need to do to sell soap? I have done my homework, tho. I live in Florida. I work in a medi-spa, so I do have a place to sell and clientele to market to (I have no interest in online sales at this time). What I don't have is a professional workspace to make soap in, just a spare bedroom at home. I live in a residential zone. I know I would have to pay $480 to join soapmakers guild, and I will do more searching on how to trademark a name (it will take me months to think of a good one anyway). But my biggest question in - do I need a chemistry degree or pay a chemist to approve items? And would I be able to make soap in my residential home, to place for sale in a business, and without the burden of having random yearly inspections? Any advice or opinions? TIA

 

[Tabitha]

But my biggest question in - do I need a chemistry degree or pay a chemist to approve items? And would I be able to make soap in my residential home, to place for sale in a business, and without the burden of having random yearly inspections? Any advice or opinions?

Right now, in the US, work space is not monitored & you do not need any experience (chemistry or other wise) by law to make soap. The FDA is looking into making some upgrades to the way they regulate soap making. Right now they do little to nothing to regulate it.

The prob w/ making soap at home is, it may cancel out your home owners insurance, not because it is soap, but because it is a biz. Your city may also have a policy about making soap in your home. My city has a crazy policy that does not allow soapmaking facilities w/i the city limits. Why? I dunno :roll: .

 

[Healinya]

Thanks for feedback... so *if* (not implying I would do this, lol) I were to keep a small cabinet of supplies at work, I could find my way around that?

 

[carebear]

unless you were sued and your insurance company did an investigation
unless there were a fire or other emergency in your home and the supplies were found
unless...

 

[Deda]

You should check with your local zoning office and your insurance agent. Don't assume anything!

I had to get a Home Occupation Permit. It wasn't hard to get, and only thing it prohibits me from doing is using my home as a primary sales place. Meaning I can't have customers coming to my home. As all of my sales are wholesale, online or at the market, that parts not a problem.

MY HO insurance policy is not effected by my home based business as long as my business is legally operating and separately insured. The insurance will vary from locality to locality.

 

[Healinya]

ok thanks, it's good to hear feedback and legalities of other places. At this point I guess I have some phone calls to make. One thing I've learned since I moved to Florida - is they don't follow the same common sense rules as the rest of the country, lol. Who knows what I'm going to discover.