How To Start A Soap Business; Make Research and Planning Your First Priority

This is the first in a series of posts aimed at helping you launch your natural skincare or cosmetics line. Over the coming weeks we'll take detailed look at the steps to get your new or current business off the ground.

Earlier this week an entrepreneur asked me how to find a niche for a soap company she is launching. She also asked how to determine her target market. You see, she had already created her products, logos and labels with great enthusiasm, but had not yet focused on sales and marketing.

She is not alone. Many soap hobbyists and crafters reach a point where they are making products for fun and then decide at some point they want to start a business. They've created soaps for friends and family, and perhaps have sold at a few shows, but are so immersed in creating products that they miss a key business point: who's my target audience and how am I going to appeal and market to them?

As a whimsy, creative type, I flew by the seat of my pants when I started my business back in 1998. Business types would ask me if I had written a business plan, and I'd shrug them off saying that I was "...going where the winds took my sail." I was convinced otherwise by several business advisors, and sat down and wrote my business plan. Was it a breeze to write? Not really, it took me several months. However, the process and the final result was eye-opening and enlightening. It gave my business new life and new direction. I found my niche, and my business skyrocketed.

In my consulting practice today, one of the first recommendations I make to bath and body entrepreneurs is to get their vision down on paper: niche, target market, marketing plan, SWAT analysis, competitor analysis, short-term goals and long-term goals.

We'll be covering all aspects of starting and running your own bath and beauty business in next week's class, which runs simultaneous with our 4-Day Bath & Body University.

What are your questions for starting or running a successful bath and body business? Post your comment below and I will answer them in the upcoming posts throughout the next few weeks.

In the meantime, you can find out more about private consulting and classes on my website. Sign up for my newsletter to stay up-to-date on future product and business webinars.

Here are some of the business classes I teach:

How to Launch and Run a Successful Bath & Body Business
How to Differentiate Yourself in the Bath & Body Industry
Business Plan Writing
Product Planning
Marketing Strategies
How to Implement Social Media and Internet Marketing
How to Wholesale Successfully

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Soap class, how to start a soap business, NYC, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, California, Oregon, Washington, Texas, Wyoming, Montanta, Idaho, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Hawaii, Alaska, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York City, Boston.

Soap Making Classes and How To Start Your Own Soap Business Class

Have you always wanted to learn how to make soap? Or are you considering starting your own business? Whether you're in New York or Maine and looking to take a road trip, or if you're planning to visit Cape Cod this summer, take time for yourself to join a class at Back Porch Soap Company.

All classes are held in our Duxbury, Massachusetts studio, located just 30 minutes south of Boston and 40 minutes from Providence, Rhode Island. Come and learn from a 12-year soap business owner with more than 200 wholesale accounts and a retail website. I've hosted students from Venezuela, Ireland, Nigeria, Chile, Peru as well as from all over the U.S. Or if you would like to book private lessons that is also an option. There is a lot to see and do in this beautiful area. I can assist you with your travel plans.

Glycerin Soap Making, August 20
Come join in the fun as we make an array of beautiful glycerin soaps! This small, personalized soap making class covers the essentials of glycerin soap making. Lots of hands-on learning. Each student will learn how to make four personalized batches, which yield at least 16 bars of soap! Your creations will make wonderful gifts!
6:00 - 9 p.m.
Course: $65 & Materials Fee: $20

Cold Process Soap Making Class, August 22
Want to learn how to make soap from scratch? Curious about the cold process process? Then this is the perfect class for you!You will learn safety guidelines and reach a level of comfort so that you can finally make soap by hand at home! We'll discuss how to properly use and store lye, mixing lye and water, oils for soap making, fragrance oils, essential oils, superfatting, additives and exfoliants, coloring, molding and curing. Students will receive soap recipes and a list of my favorite places to buy soap making supplies and equipment. We will make two batches of soap as a class. Each student will take home 10 handmade bars of soap.9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Course: $65 + $20 materials fee

Natural Lotions, Creams, Balms, Soaks & Scrubs, August 23
You're going to fall in love with making your own creams, lotions, balms, soaks and scrubs! In this class you'll spend the day making batch after batch of our tried and true recipes. In addition to taking home a box of products from what you make in class, you'll leave feeling confident about making these luxurious treatments at home for business or personal use.Come learn about sanitary precautions and practices, bottling and packaging ideas and options, how to price your products, the truth about preservatives, sourcing ingredients, labelling requirements and much more.
9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Course: $250 + $75 materials fee

How To Start Your Own Soap Making Business

Everything you need to know to start your own soap business. Learn from me, a 12-year soap business owner.

2-5 p.m.

Course; $125

Private Consulting
Whether you have an existing bath and body company and you need assistance increasing sales or if you are a start-up, Marla is available for private consulting. Areas of expertise include establishing business focus and assisting with business plans, differentiating your business and finding your niche, marketing and sales, internet marketing, product development, as well as sourcing ingredients and exporting.

Please email for further information.

All soap making classes are taught by Marla Bosworth, owner of Back Porch Soap Company and 12-year expert in the handmade bath and body industry. Since 1989 she has been providing market research and marketing for businesses of all sizes across the U.S.In addition to group classes, Marla is available for one-on-one consulting for individuals interested in learning how to make bath and body products or for existing companies looking for market research and/or consulting.

Do you or your group want to learn how to make soap, bath and body products and how to launch your own bath and body business? Email marla@backporchsoap.com for more information. Sign up for our newsletter here to to be the first to know about our newest classes and announcements!*****************************************************************************
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