I've been a hobby soap maker for almost 10 years now. For the past few years, I have also been making body butters, shower steamers, lip balms and lotion bars (misnomer because they have no water or lotion in them). It's always been just a fun hobby for me. I've resisted selling because I didn't want to lose the joy of it. Also, most of the family and friends who say they want to buy my soaps usually choke and back away if I quote them just my cost to make this stuff -- except shower steamers - they don't mind paying the pennies it costs to make those.
However, my hairdresser gets a lot of these free gifts and always wants to pay me for them. She says her skin has never been able to tolerate soaps before. Her husband, parents, in-laws, etc. all love the soap and lotion bars, too (I think I've given her more soap than she can use so she has passed it around, lol).
Well, she just moved to a new salon in an old remodeled Victorian house that is decorated in country-shabby-chic style. She says no one is selling any hand-crafted products there, and she is begging me to set up a display with soaps and lotion bars; maybe some shower steamers and bath bombs, too. She has offered to design my labels - an area where I lack all skills and talents. Her boss also loves the idea of carrying home-crafted products like this. Normally I'd say no to consignment, but it's a small enough salon that I'm willing to risk it for a bit to see. After all, this entire area is one where people have fruit stands with honor-pay boxes at the street in front of their house. So it's not as risky as it might be in a different kind of place.
Well, I guess I'm just sharing this because it looks like I'm going to take the plunge, and I know you will all be happy with me and for me. My husband will be over the moon if I make back even some of the money spent on this hobby over the years.
As a business name, I'm thinking of CaliDavali Soaps'N'Such. It's a play on my first and last name, and where I used to live (California). Would love any input or suggested improvements on that part of things.
PS - I am an experienced business person (and lawyer) so I do know about insurance, business license, taxes, etc. Just typing all that makes me want to reconsider tho. LOL.
However, my hairdresser gets a lot of these free gifts and always wants to pay me for them. She says her skin has never been able to tolerate soaps before. Her husband, parents, in-laws, etc. all love the soap and lotion bars, too (I think I've given her more soap than she can use so she has passed it around, lol).
Well, she just moved to a new salon in an old remodeled Victorian house that is decorated in country-shabby-chic style. She says no one is selling any hand-crafted products there, and she is begging me to set up a display with soaps and lotion bars; maybe some shower steamers and bath bombs, too. She has offered to design my labels - an area where I lack all skills and talents. Her boss also loves the idea of carrying home-crafted products like this. Normally I'd say no to consignment, but it's a small enough salon that I'm willing to risk it for a bit to see. After all, this entire area is one where people have fruit stands with honor-pay boxes at the street in front of their house. So it's not as risky as it might be in a different kind of place.
Well, I guess I'm just sharing this because it looks like I'm going to take the plunge, and I know you will all be happy with me and for me. My husband will be over the moon if I make back even some of the money spent on this hobby over the years.
As a business name, I'm thinking of CaliDavali Soaps'N'Such. It's a play on my first and last name, and where I used to live (California). Would love any input or suggested improvements on that part of things.
PS - I am an experienced business person (and lawyer) so I do know about insurance, business license, taxes, etc. Just typing all that makes me want to reconsider tho. LOL.
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