Reality Of My Soaping Journey:

[Peachy Clean Soap]

Often facing reality is painful & freeing @ the same time. When I first started making soap' I'll I could think of was " Selling Soap"!! Today I realized selling soap & a website & all that is involved' I'm leaning towards keeping my "Soaping & now newfound SkinCare" just a hobby. Continue selling to the "Friends-Turned Customers" & leaving it at that. No Stress Just Pure Enjoyment & If I Can Give A Word Of Advise Now & Again To Help Others' On There Journey' All The Better. .

 

[AliOop]

I made a similar decision some years ago. Then recently, a friend asked if I'd make soap that she could sell at her salon station. And I'm talking with local Farmer's Market folks about making goat milk soap for them to sell (along with their goat milk, goat cheese, etc.).

My plan is to start small with the "real" selling (as opposed to the made-to-order-at-cost requests from family and friends), and see how it goes. If I lose the fun of making soap due to the pressures of labeling, wrapping, meeting supply deadlines, etc., then I'll know it's time to go back to being a hobbyist. Meanwhile, a few life events happened recently that put all those plans on hold. I wouldn't have that luxury if I were a full-time seller... something to think about.

 

[Basil]

@Peachy Clean Soap you and I joined this forum around the same time I think. I started making soap because of the goats, but later started thinking about selling. Fortunately I've heeded everyone's advice here and rather than jumping in to it like my family wanted me to, I've chosen to move slowly into the selling aspect. I'm glad I have. Sometimes I feel empowered and other times I'm cowering in the corner . I would like to sell though.. I think my confidence wavers, but I feel like I have something good to offer the community. Hopefully I'll figure it out. I would love to branch out in other areas of lotions, balms etc. I've always enjoyed reading your posts and will continue to enjoy no matter what you decide

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

Yes agree' @AliOop & @Basil' Thank you for your input .

I love every aspect of soaping' love' Love' Love it. I'm "not" slowing down in making soap' just the mindset of not getting a business up & going. To me it takes all the fun out of it' cause its a "Business" when it comes to business' Well in order to make a profit yah gotta think on those terms' suddenly its a different mindset.

My Hubby asked me one Day " So How Much Does It Cost You To Make A Bar Of Soap?" My first thought & reply which is how I am . Don't ask cause "its costing a lot more then what im selling it for".

Moving forward Iv'e learned how to make a wonderful soap w/ out the expensive butters & oils' that more often then not ends up looking like a blob of "Vaseline" after a week in the shower, Yay.

Yes I'm gonna continue my journey of "Soaping" cause I love it. Just a different mindset of keeping it a hobby. If I can continue to sell a few bars to my friends who love them' then all the better.

@Basil
Your confidence will grow as you receive positive feedback from family & friends w/ request for more of your soap' ( its a circle ) that just keep growing & growing..

@AliOop freedom is everything & being stress free' from having to reach them deadlines w/ product is wonderful.
congrats on your soap business opportunity' its what us soapers hope for' its wonderful news & hopefully you can reengage when life permits.

 

[SPowers]

My soap journey is really more of a hobby as well. I have all the makings of a soap business, but to be honest, at my age, I'm not prepared to work as hard as I need to in order to make it really viable. I advertise on FB marketplace occasionally and once in awhile I will spend a few bucks to boost a post. I've a few good friends/customers and make new sales occasionally but I don't stress about it. Any money I make simply feeds the 'addiction' and offsetss some of my expenses and I'm totally happy with that. It's all about the pleasure and satisfaction I get out of the process and that's good enough for me.

 

[ResolvableOwl]

@Peachy Clean Soap
Selling soap is something different than making soap. Selling has the materialist appeal that you obtain your raw materials from the market, and feed the products back into the market. Let's keep in mind that “business” comes from “busy”, and reminds of stressful and annoying occupations.
You (like so many here, including me) have decided to be more the making soap type. Fine! It's a personal and totally appropriate decision to not expect things to pay off in a monetary way (some humourless bureaucrats once called this “hobby”), just like it doesn't pay off to bake one's own bread, or play one's own music. And I'm glad you came up with this! So we talk about it, exchange opinions and experiences, and everyone can find/reassure themselves in their own relationship to soapmaking.

And last but not least, directed to you personally: Could you imagine arguing with potential Customers about Uppercasing? You Can Here! Keep In Mind: You Are No Worse A “Captialist”, Regardless If You Sell Soap Or Not!

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

@Peachy Clean Soap
Selling soap is something different than making soap. Selling has the materialist appeal that you obtain your raw materials from the market, and feed the products back into the market. Let's keep in mind that “business” comes from “busy”, and reminds of stressful and annoying occupations.
You (like so many here, including me) have decided to be more the making soap type. Fine! It's a personal and totally appropriate decision to not expect things to pay off in a monetary way (some humourless bureaucrats once called this “hobby”), just like it doesn't pay off to bake one's own bread, or play one's own music. And I'm glad you came up with this! So we talk about it, exchange opinions and experiences, and everyone can find/reassure themselves in their own relationship to soapmaking.

And last but not least, directed to you personally: Could you imagine arguing with potential Customers about Uppercasing? You Can Here! Keep In Mind: You Are No Worse A “Captialist”, Regardless If You Sell Soap Or Not!

@ResolvableOwl
Your So Brilliant' I Love It. Few Words' Much Meaning....

update: @ResolvableOwl I hope you dont mind your "nickname" its truly a complement. HooHoo said the "WiseOwl .
Update:
nick name retracted. .

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

I remember when I made my first 2 or 3 batches. Friends said they were very pretty, and asked "But what was I going to do with all that soap?" I swore it was just a hobby, and I didn't want to ruin a fun hobby by turning it into a business. I'm retired, and tired!
Friends were happy to buy soap for themselves and for gifting. But I love making soap. It calms me. It gives me a wonderful creative outlet. And friends can only buy so much soap.
When a small neighborhood monthly craft market began this month, I couldn't resist, and I took a booth. It was fun, but it was also a lot of work, and it confirmed my wanting to keep soaping as just a hobby.
So frustrating to have a hobby that, in order to keep it going, I need to sell some of what I make to support making more. Otherwise, what can I do with all this soap???

 

[Basil]

I remember when I made my first 2 or 3 batches. Friends said they were very pretty, and asked "But what was I going to do with all that soap?" I swore it was just a hobby, and I didn't want to ruin a fun hobby by turning it into a business. I'm retired, and tired!
Friends were happy to buy soap for themselves and for gifting. But I love making soap. It calms me. It gives me a wonderful creative outlet. And friends can only buy so much soap.
When a small neighborhood monthly craft market began this month, I couldn't resist, and I took a booth. It was fun, but it was also a lot of work, and it confirmed my wanting to keep soaping as just a hobby.
So frustrating to have a hobby that, in order to keep it going, I need to sell some of what I make to support making more. Otherwise, what can I do with all this soap???

I feel the same. I used to sew and had booths many moons ago . I also tried my hand at cake decorating and selling, all while working as a nurse. My husband and I also repurposed furniture and other items and sold--mostly to keep our heads above water while raising 5 daughters. I so remember the setting up, selling etc and it's alot of work. The build up of soap in the house does become a challenge as well as paying for the 'hobby'. Giving so much away doesn't really help with resupplying although it does create good feelings. I mentioned in another post my grandson takes it back to his barracks and shares and that's a great feeling. However, although I'm retired... I'm not really retired . This definitely is a "soap journey" as I've read from all of you . I appreciate you starting this thread @Peachy Clean Soap

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

I remember when I made my first 2 or 3 batches. Friends said they were very pretty, and asked "But what was I going to do with all that soap?" I swore it was just a hobby, and I didn't want to ruin a fun hobby by turning it into a business. I'm retired, and tired!
Friends were happy to buy soap for themselves and for gifting. But I love making soap. It calms me. It gives me a wonderful creative outlet. And friends can only buy so much soap.
When a small neighborhood monthly craft market began this month, I couldn't resist, and I took a booth. It was fun, but it was also a lot of work, and it confirmed my wanting to keep soaping as just a hobby.
So frustrating to have a hobby that, in order to keep it going, I need to sell some of what I make to support making more. Otherwise, what can I do with all this soap???

Right' we share a common thread' friends & family only gos so far & like you mention its costly' we gotta sale something so we can continue our Soap Therapy.
I'm gonna donate to our local Woman's Shelter I think that would be wonderful.
My Grandson's College Graduation is coming up' I'll give him soap along w/ money for his milestone achievements' he loves my soap! & I cant tell you how that just makes my heart sing .

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

I feel the same. I used to sew and had booths many moons ago . I also tried my hand at cake decorating and selling, all while working as a nurse. My husband and I also repurposed furniture and other items and sold--mostly to keep our heads above water while raising 5 daughters. I so remember the setting up, selling etc and it's alot of work. The build up of soap in the house does become a challenge as well as paying for the 'hobby'. Giving so much away doesn't really help with resupplying although it does create good feelings. I mentioned in another post my grandson takes it back to his barracks and shares and that's a great feeling. However, although I'm retired... I'm not really retired . This definitely is a "soap journey" as I've read from all of you . I appreciate you starting this thread @Peachy Clean Soap

Your most welcome' & appreciate you sharing your heartfelt personal Soap Journey' We all have a common thread' thats the love for soaping. . Oh I want to share w/ you' when I see your Pict of your goat' I think back to my very first soap "Frozen Goat Milk" 100% percent water replacement!! lol yep it burned' smelled awful' but I couldent of been more proud. love GM in soap not @100% water replacement just to assure it wont burn.

 

[SoapDaddy70]

What a great heartfelt honest post. When I look at the 130 bars of soap I have in my basement it makes me happy. I have always suffered with anxiety and soap making is a great hobby that calms my nerves and makes me proud that I created something that my family and friends can use and enjoy. When I imagine selling soap the joy is replaced by anxiety and self doubt. To be honest some of it is just pure laziness and the fear of failure that prevents me from taking the steps it would take to sell. Also, the market is so saturated right now that I would rather keep to my one batch a week and hone my skills. Who knows, maybe one day I can get past the self doubt and take little baby steps towards selling, but for now I will continue to enjoy this forum and the people on it. Thanks @Peachy Clean Soap for opening this discussion. It is very cool to see everyone else‘s attitude towards selling versus not selling.

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

What a great heartfelt honest post. When I look at the 130 bars of soap I have in my basement it makes me happy. I have always suffered with anxiety and soap making is a great hobby that calms my nerves and makes me proud that I created something that my family and friends can use and enjoy. When I imagine selling soap the joy is replaced by anxiety and self doubt. To be honest some of it is just pure laziness and the fear of failure that prevents me from taking the steps it would take to sell. Also, the market is so saturated right now that I would rather keep to my one batch a week and hone my skills. Who knows, maybe one day I can get past the self doubt and take little baby steps towards selling, but for now I will continue to enjoy this forum and the people on it. Thanks @Peachy Clean Soap for opening this discussion. It is very cool to see everyone else‘s attitude towards selling versus not selling.

Appreciate you sharing' your heartfelt feelings & key points, which I can defiantly identify with. Together we all can peal away our inner private feelings one layer @ a time as we each share & realize we are not alone, its our common thread. light bulb moment.

 

[Feelin' Soapy]

Together we all can peal away our inner private feelings one layer @ a time as we each share & realize we are not alone, its our common thread.

So very true. When I try to share any of this to non-soapers, they just nod a little and say 'uh-huh' and change the subject. I wouldn't have gotten it myself until I started doing it, but it didn't take very long at all for the bug to bite!

 

[violets2217]

What I'm struggling with right now is the multitude of supplies I would need (that I amazingly enough, do not have!!) just to start selling. Packaging/labeling, shrink wrap and such, boxes and everything that packing and shipping entails, shipping labels & dedicated printer. Everyone that uses my soap... "OMG! you should definitely sell you soaps, you could make so much money!!!" Not if I'd have to spend all my money on all the stuff I'd need to sell it... not to mention just the start up and preparation I feel I would need to run a business...which I've never done. So I guess my whole point is every time I think I could start selling...I obsess and fret about the multitude of steps it would take to reach a successful goal and worry it would smother my happiness I find in making my soap....

To be honest some of it is just pure laziness and the fear of failure that prevents me from taking the steps it would take to sell.

That Too! Most Definitely!

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

What I'm struggling with right now is the multitude of supplies I would need (that I amazingly enough, do not have!!) just to start selling. Packaging/labeling, shrink wrap and such, boxes and everything that packing and shipping entails, shipping labels & dedicated printer. Everyone that uses my soap... "OMG! you should definitely sell you soaps, you could make so much money!!!" Not if I'd have to spend all my money on all the stuff I'd need to sell it... not to mention just the start up and preparation I feel I would need to run a business...which I've never done. So I guess my whole point is every time I think I could start selling...I obsess and fret about the multitude of steps it would take to reach a successful goal and worry it would smother my happiness I find in making my soap....


That Too! Most Definitely!

Agree' especially your highlite from @SoapDaddy70. sometimes reality is painful.

This Question is for everyone' Do you sale your soap: Do you have a website? How lucrative is your soap business? In your opinion is it worth the effort?.

 

[Quilter99755]

I have been that route with a hobby while living in Alaska with my needlepoint and cross stitch. It was a partnership with another lady and lasted about two years. Luckily she moved and it was a great excuse to end the business. I spent all my spare time helping others rather than spending it on what I loved to do. I vowed then that I would never do it again.
When I took up quilting I have had lots of requests to "make me a quilt" but rather than quibble over prices I just say "no, I do not sell my quilts". A friend found an outlet for her mini quilts and said I needed to get on the bandwagon as she was selling more than she could make. I told her that I would never turn something I love into a business and she couldn't understand it. After doing it for a couple years she let me know that NOW she understood what I was talking about. To this day, she rarely quilts any more and that is sad as she was a great quilter. And she even admits that the reason she doesn't is the two years she was in business. It is totally different to produce a quilt on your time rather than on an artificial production time schedule.
So now I have another great hobby, producing soap for my extended family (nine in all) and a few friends who love my soap and "donate" to my cause when I gift them a few bars of soap when the larder gets too full. I want to make a batch of soap on my schedule, or try out something new "just because". I know from experience that when you are on a schedule of selling that the "just because" days never come around.
The lure of making money or fame at selling your hobby product is a hard siren song to ignore. But I have been there and done that...and also watched a few friends do the same thing...and it won't happen with me again. I do know people who have made a business out of their hobbies and are happy. I think it must be some gene that is not in my makeup as a person. And I am happy to have learned it early on rather than ruin the hobbies that I still enjoy

 

[Peachy Clean Soap]

I have been that route with a hobby while living in Alaska with my needlepoint and cross stitch. It was a partnership with another lady and lasted about two years. Luckily she moved and it was a great excuse to end the business. I spent all my spare time helping others rather than spending it on what I loved to do. I vowed then that I would never do it again.
When I took up quilting I have had lots of requests to "make me a quilt" but rather than quibble over prices I just say "no, I do not sell my quilts". A friend found an outlet for her mini quilts and said I needed to get on the bandwagon as she was selling more than she could make. I told her that I would never turn something I love into a business and she couldn't understand it. After doing it for a couple years she let me know that NOW she understood what I was talking about. To this day, she rarely quilts any more and that is sad as she was a great quilter. And she even admits that the reason she doesn't is the two years she was in business. It is totally different to produce a quilt on your time rather than on an artificial production time schedule.
So now I have another great hobby, producing soap for my extended family (nine in all) and a few friends who love my soap and "donate" to my cause when I gift them a few bars of soap when the larder gets too full. I want to make a batch of soap on my schedule, or try out something new "just because". I know from experience that when you are on a schedule of selling that the "just because" days never come around.
The lure of making money or fame at selling your hobby product is a hard siren song to ignore. But I have been there and done that...and also watched a few friends do the same thing...and it won't happen with me again. I do know people who have made a business out of their hobbies and are happy. I think it must be some gene that is not in my makeup as a person. And I am happy to have learned it early on rather than ruin the hobbies that I still enjoy

Thx for sharing your in depth personal experience. Defiantly can see your point of view. wonderful in-site. Also I think to make a quilt ( I don't sew or quilt ) It takes day's & the price charged isn't worth it. Just from a business point of view, just a guess?

 

[Carly B]

@Peachy Clean Soap, you are so right. About 15 years ago, I discovered M&P and FRAGRANCE!! OMG, the fragrances. So I made all sorts of stuff, and folks I worked with back then LOVED it--I was making enough to almost pay for the supplies, and it was so much fun! Until It Wasn't. Working a full time job and trying to fill orders at night and weekend was too much. So I stopped, cold turkey.
But I always missed it.

Fast forward 15 years. I started CP soapmaking 2 years ago, and love it. I'm retiring in August, and I've thought about selling, not so much for the income as much as having an excuse to keep making soap. But then I think about the bookkeeping and the insurance and the inventory management and the expectations (both self-imposed and otherwise), and the packaging--I really suck at packaging, and oh yeah, let's not forget "putting myself out there," something that my increasingly introverted self is loathe to do.

Making soap is FUN. When it stops being fun, it's time to stop making soap.

 

[Quilter99755]

Thx for sharing your in depth personal experience. Defiantly can see your point of view. wonderful in-site. Also I think to make a quilt ( I don't sew or quilt ) It takes day's & the price charged isn't worth it. Just from a business point of view, just a guess?

I sort of think of them as the same. The cost is expensive enough that you really can't put a price on your labor...other than "labor of love". But at least with a quilt, you don't need all the packaging and shipping that comes with soaping. Along with the fact that fabric doesn't have a shelf life of a year or less. LOL

I just like both hobbies too much to turn them into a business