I’m in that transition mode. I’ve been a hobbyist with a business for years on and off. Lol. I’m now starting to retrain my brain to focus on being a business. Thank you.
It's such a common thing and it's also okay to be in that space, as long as you're choosing to be there! I think a lot of people are frustrated that their business isn't growing and a lot of times it's because of this shift. I'm glad you found this video helpful and I'd say that the first thing you want to ask yourself is: Do I WANT to be a business? :)
This is one of the best videos about making the transformation from hobby to business. I'm sitting in that gray area right now. Your tips and information was so specific and gives so much product for thought! Please tell me that this is only the first in this kind of video that is not about the soap but about the business and mindset. Oh, and by the way, your video on masterbatching lye was a GAME CHANGER!
Thank you!! I'm so happy you found this valuable. We will definitely be doing more business-oriented videos in the future. The business side of soapmaking is an exciting topic! :) Glad you found the master batching video to be a game changer! I totally agree.
WOW. I have watched many, many hours of videos about handmade selling and this is the most helpful for me at this moment in my journey. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
It’s 0248 here and listening to your advice is so relevant to myself. I’ve been making soap as a true hobby for 3-4 years during which I’ve learnt so much. Now I would like to try selling. I’ve thought through the steps you discuss here now I await my registration to sell and see is it possible for an 80year old to Have a small business. Thank you Simi.
The learning part is so important, and I think everyone will take a different amount of time with that. It takes time to discover what you love doing, especially if you're not working on your craft full time. I love that you're starting a business in your 80s! It's never too late and it's such a fulfilling path (I think). Enjoy and good luck! :)
Great video !! I am so happy you are making videos for smaller soapers to help them learn how to grow their business. I am such a fan of your wonderful soaps !!
Brilliant advice! This is applicable to any hobby turned business really. I have several hobbies that are on a little larger than hobby scale but none that are full on businesses 100%. This gives me a bit to think about. Thank you so much for all of your great content. I've only recently found you, and I've already learned so much. Your straightforward approach is fantastic.
This is so helpful! It helps me with my mind shift. I’ll be launching my website soon and have been dragging my feet because I know it’ll take me to the next level. Thank you for this!
Haha! I hear you there! Sometimes you don't necessarily want to go to the next level. I felt this way about starting wholesale. Just dive in and you can always scale back, if needed. Good luck!
Thank you for this video! I am not making soap, but information you gave us is so relevant to the phase I am currently in. Thank you for guidance and encouragement!! All the best to you and your business!
Thank you for all the good tips and useful information to think about. I’m in that stand still place and it’s a stressful place to be. Like you said make some decisions and commit to them. I was wondering if you would do one on marketing? ❤
I found the decision-making to be the hardest part, especially when you're already selling and it feels like you might disappoint customers. I do wish I'd made those hard decisions earlier though, as it just got harder the longer I waited! :) Marketing is not really my strength, but I'll think about how to add some of that to a future video. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you so much. I've been in business for a year as a side hobby and have been trying a bunch of things just to see what people like. I'm in a place now where I'm getting ready to make some changes for next year and so appreciate this video. So well-timed for me and so appreciate your guidance and expertise. Thank you.
Thank you this makes sense on the amount of different soaps to start with as far as going public. I have Ben working on my brand for a year 1/2 :) and did a lot of surveys on friends of family to narrow down the most bought soaps scrubs and candles. It dies make it easier to focus on the main 6 or 7 for soap then seasonal come out with a limited time only scent. Thanks for that
@@DWB1177 You're welcome! Just remember that things can change as you go and you just have to keep checking sales and seeing what is doing well and what isn't. Interestingly, I find that a lot of people say they like certain things but end up buying completely different things! Haha! Part of the process is just to get out there, even if you don't feel completely ready, and start doing it and see where the path leads you! I can't wait to see what you do! :)
Hi Simi! I truly enjoyed your outlook on shifting your thought from hobby to business. Yes, I like many others are in that gray area, you are a burst of fresh air, thak you and can't wait to see more of you youtube videos. 🌹
Really enjoyed this calm chitchat session. Also loved the format. Very informative and would love to see more videos like this. Appreciate all you do for the maker community.
Thank you very much for this video! It will help me planning better my business! I’m always happy to learn from you! Keep going on that way ! Thank you !
We just got back from MN! Lol. This was very interesting. I believe people who have been in the business for many years ( not me😊) could use this refresher to remember why they started doing what they do. Then use it to refocus or maybe shift their business to where they originally wanted to go. Very beneficial to newbie’s too! Thank you for sharing!❤
Yes, I think this video is probably geared more towards folks that have been in business a few years and aren't seeing the growth that they would like. There are a lot of ways of doing things too (like always making new soap - I'm thinking of Royalty Soap here), and there are so many models that can be successful. At the end of the day, as long as you know where you're going and have a plan and are happy with the direction, that's what will stick and grow.
Oh I am in Mn… what lake? Minnetonka by chance??? Have fun. Also I am in transition phase…. I do farmers markets and have an Etsy but not getting many orders on Etsy but do ok at markets. Though at markets get so frustrated when there are more then one soap and candles vendors. So tired of competition… but am learning that I have a great product and don’t get jealous or upset if people buy from the other vendors. We are all different and unique…. My products can speak of quality for themselves….
Hi! We are up north near Crosslake on Daggett lake, which is part of the Whitefish chain. I've got a document halfway done on how to get your Etsy listings to stand out. I really think Etsy is a fantastic platform for soapmakers to get things going and finding new customers. And, yeah, don't worry about your competitors! Do your thing and focus on getting repeat business (and directing those customers to buy online). These other soapmakers are also a great opportunity to create a local community. It's so fun to chat business and learn from each other. Good luck!
Great video! I’ve been in the gray area for years. Making different size soaps is a big one for me. I work out of my home and I think it’s ok to want to stay tiny. Like you said not everyone wants to grow huge Thanks for all the info:)
It's absolutely okay! As long as that's where you want to be, then all is well. Having a small business out of your home that makes extra money for your family is an amazing feeling and something I've personally been missing over the last few years. However, many businesses are where you are and are wondering why they can't break through to the next level. Thanks for watching! :)
@@ladymitch32sunshine88 Do you have an email list set up at your events? If you can capture emails in person, that might help convert people to your online store. Maybe offer a discount for their first online purchase. You need to get those in-person people buying online! :)
@muddymintsoap hi, yes, I have an event, I posted it on my website all my list events. I also share on social media. I only sold my products to if i go to events. And I keep giving my card to tell them I also sell online. But still nobody sign up and buy. I live in ohio, and my place is on top of hills. Some are asking my location about my store, Where is it? A nd I said, "I don't have a store, but I sell online.
@muddymintsoap they said my website is beautiful but there's no traffic. My repeat customers from event, they don't buy in my online store. I almost giving my website I am paying a lot for my website but selling good. Thank you for listening my feelings.
Thanks for watching! We had to work backwards, so we ended up going from 30ish scents to 16 in our main product line. That felt like a pretty good amount, but you could do less!
Hopefully that's because you find it interesting, rather than confusing! Haha! It's certainly hard to focus when you have a lot of things going on. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and knowledge. I'm brand new to soaping so right now it is just a hobby. I would like to see how things work out at some local markets, but right now I don't know anything about packaging and presentation. I'm experimenting with different recipes and I love watching all of the videos. I'm trying to figure out what the basic recipe needs to be. I also don't know how much I would sell soap for. Would it be different amounts based on ingredients or one set price based on average cost? Labels, software to set up cost, etc. Thinking beyond a hobby is kind of daunting to me right now, but I am interested in the idea.
Those are all great questions! For the price of your soap, you'll need to calculate your costs. We found that our costs differed per bar, but not enough to warrant different pricing for our bars. If you want, you can figure out the average cost to make a bar of soap (ingredients + labor) and go from there. Labels, base recipes, software, etc... those are all great questions! I can see how the business size would be daunting. I'll see if I can do a video answering some of these questions.
Yes, we've all been there! It's not a bad place to be, but just find your way to the other side by doing a little soul-searching. :) See my other comment to your question below too.
I have a question about having a production schedule and how it can help a customer base and business grow. I am currently struggling with establishing a schedule and that is because my sales are not consistent enough so that I can also buy more materials and then have enough to consistently produce :/. I have gone through all of my numbers and the problem really is consistency sales. What would you suggest in this situation 🤷🏻♀️
Thank you, Ivan. How is your course different from Greg's. I ask because I would like to sign up with you as well. Sending you greetings from Pretoria, South Africa.
Yea, this is a common problem. Sit down and think about what you're trying to convey to your customers and also what you enjoy doing. Figure out a way to keep things in stock, by finding your sticking points (what is preventing you from making your products). If you have to reduce everything down to a very small product line and then work up from there, do that! The main thing is to come up with a plan that is do-able and then work from there.
