Soap Classes

[BobbiOh]

I've been invited to host a basic soap making class from a business that has nothing to do with soap making. I been thinking a hands on class, but I'd to know your thoughts.

I can purchase molds for the students, but they remain mine. The other option which will be to have the purchase a kit that has everything but a stick blender.

If the molds are mine, I have to unmold 24 hours later and cut them myself in a space that isn't a soap shop. I really don't want to have to bring X number of batches of raw soap home and the schedule pick ups for them. The class won't be offered at the business, so they can't stay there, but can be picked up there.. Plus I have to order extra molds....$.

The other option, has a higher cost, and they might buying equipment for something they're not interested in pursuing. But, it has the benefit of having them take soap home rather than me unmolding, cutting the loaf and scheduling pick ups. There's also taking some time waiting for the soap to set up enough for travel, but I can fill that time up talking about the history of soap making, talking about future classes and answering question.

I plan offering the equipment with enough to make batch of soap and a offering a batch of ingredients for sale after the class.

Thoughts?

Not my class - picture for attention.

 

[justsomeguy]

I've been invited to host a basic soap making class from a business that has nothing to do with soap making. I been thinking a hands on class, but I'd to know your thoughts.

I'm much to inexperienced to offer advice on the soap making portion of the class. But I can offer advice on the business side of it

I'm assuming you'll be getting paid for this. Also assuming you'll have to spend money and submit receipts for reimbursement.

First thing you need is some sort of binding contract to make sure everyone gets what's expected. Verbal agreement is not acceptable. Get this after you know the costs to put on the class.

Second, figure out the costs per student. You'll have to decide stuff like:

1. if you're going to do cold process or melt and pour
2. masterbatched lye or powdered lye
3. loaf mold or individual cavity mold
4. pre measured ingredients or not
5. Bowls required per student
6. Gloves?
7. Spatulas?
8. Thermometers?

Third, figure out what it will cost you in dollars and time. You'll be very precise and come up with a number for everything goes perfect lye well. Whatever that number is, add 25 - 50% to it for the "oh crap" moments that will happen.

Present this info to the company and have them decide if they wanna move forward or not.


Good luck!

 

[BobbiOh]

I run a corporate services business, so all that is figured out. I'm just trying to figure out the "buy the whole shebang" or the make it and pick it up model. There is a third option of just the mold and product, and they can take mold home.

 

[justsomeguy]

I run a corporate services business, so all that is figured out.

Awesome!

I'm just trying to figure out the "buy the whole shebang" or the make it and pick it up model.

I'd choose the one with the highest probability of success for the students

 

[AliOop]

Based on my experience of teaching a couple beginning soapmkaing classes, here is what I suggest:

1. Have them make a 100% coconut oil soap. This will set up very quickly and can typically be unmolded within two hours, especially if you soap at warmer temps.

2. Have each student's lye solution premade and measured into dollar store plastic containers with screw-on lids.

3. Have the CO pre-measured into dollar store mixing bowls with handles that can go into the microwave.

4. Have each student melt/heat their CO to 150ºF in the microwave.

5. They will immediately add the lye solution to that and start blending. The tricky part here is having enough stickblenders to go around, and not blowing breakers if too many are running at one time. Ask me how I know about this. It's important to check the room you are using to make sure this is doable. Otherwise, you may have to group several students together to make a batch together.

6. Have them blend to at least a medium trace, since you want these to set up fast. Then they will pour the soap into dollar store storage containers with snap-on lids; usually ZipLock brand is what I find there. Lining them with a freezer paper sling makes for easy removal, but I've never actually had trouble with removing soap from these "molds" even when they aren't lined.

7. While their soaps are setting up, you can do a full demonstration showing how to measure everything, how to make the lye solution, etc.

8. If you spend at least 90-120 minutes on that detailed demonstration, history of soap, etc., the students' soaps should be set enough to remove and cut. I bring a pastry knife for that purpose. They will put the cut soaps into the container they used for the mold, and bring it home to cure.

HTH, and good luck working out a plan that works for your location and group!

 

[artemis]

...
If the molds are mine, I have to unmold 24 hours later and cut them myself in a space that isn't a soap shop. I really don't want to have to bring X number of batches of raw soap home and the schedule pick ups for them. The class won't be offered at the business, so they can't stay there, but can be picked up there.. Plus I have to order extra molds....$.

... But, it has the benefit of having them take soap home rather than me unmolding, cutting the loaf and scheduling pick ups...

This summer, I did a mini workshop with a handful of teens. I used something like the containers linked below. They aren't much money per each and after being washed, could probably be reused for another purpose. The benefit was that by the time they were ready to leave, we could put the lids on for transportation. I sent them with an instructional note card with recipe info, a "cured by" date and how & when to unmold.

So, maybe think about things that aren't marketed as soap molds to use instead.

https://a.co/d/hvc7rH4

 

[Ephemerella]

Just cuz...

Professional Liability Insurance (aka Errors & Omissions Insurance)​

Professional liability insurance protects against malpractice, errors, or negligence. This covers you if you teach someone how to make soap in a way that causes them harm. You only need this coverage if you teach, advise, or consult.

https://www.modernsoapmaking.com/blog/understand-business-insurance-needs