Soap Making Business

Soap is not just a personal care product, but it may often translate to a hobby for some. Yes, soap making is a fun filled activity. Handmade soaps are beautiful and very safe to use. They are also as different as possible from commercial soaps available in the market. Handmade soaps also serve as gift items. So, in case you are interested in making homemade soaps, then be assured that this is a very satisfying activity. With some efforts, you can transform your hobby into a full-fledged business opportunity. The reason why soap making business can turn into a profitable venture is, it requires only a small initial investment. You can start this business right at home, only with a few inexpensive supplies at hand.

How to Start a Soap Making Business

Making soaps as a part of hobby and making them for commercial use is quite different. When you manufacture soaps as a part of hobby, you often do not focus much on the finesse of the product. You simply add your favorite oils and make them into your favorite fragrance and colors. However, when you think of selling them, you ought to research about what people like and not what you like. Besides, your product should have a look and touch of a professional product. If you are confident enough that you can deliver what the market demands, then there is no harm in proceeding further.

Devise a Business Plan
A sound business plan is of prime importance for the success of any business. Devise a good business plan by taking into account the various aspects of your business. Conduct a thorough market research and know what is likely to work with your potential buyers. Will you introduce your products in competition with other commercial manufacturer's or you intend to target niche buyers? Do you have any plans to launch a line of other personal care items such as handwash, liquid soap etc. Devise a business strategy as per your requirements.

Complete Legal Formalities
The next step is to obtain a license for making soaps on a commercial basis. Even if you plan to sell your soaps in neighborhood or at a very small level, it is still mandatory to obtain a valid business permit. Also, you will need to get an insurance coverage to protect your production. No matter if you make your soaps at home or hire a place, you will need an insurance coverage against theft, natural disaster, fire etc. Your home insurance won't provide coverage for your manufacturing activity.

Find Your USP
You may find that there are several other people who deal in homemade soap business. When you enter the market, you will face stiff competition from commercial as well as other small scale soap makers. For sustaining in such a competitive market, you will need a product that will set you apart from others. Experiment with your ingredients to come up with an exotic fragrance. Shea butter, oils, perfuming and coloring agents are some basic ingredients. See if you can introduce some other unique ingredients that may become your selling point. Do not hesitate to use wild colors or opt for unusually shaped molds.

Market Aggressively
Make sure you publicize your product on a large scale. Sell your product at local crafts fair or flea market or gift shops. One of the inexpensive way of marketing your soaps is to advertise them on social networking websites. Some of these lets you do so for no charge at all and the product reaches to a large number of prospective buyers. Distribute information brochure explaining the uniqueness of your soap, along with soaps. Do not overlook the importance of good packaging as it is the first thing that people will notice about your soap.

Name for Your Soap
Now, choose a catchy name for your product which can be based on the ingredients you have used in it or its fragrance or something that you think will easily be associated, in the minds of consumers, with your product.

Last but not the least, price your soap appropriately. Always use good quality ingredients for your soap, so that it is even safe for children. With proper efforts, your soap making business will turn into a money making venture in no time!