Summer Soap Class Students Create Beautiful Calendula and Cocoa Butter Soaps

What a wonderful, energetic soap class this summer! Students made two, 20 lb. batches of cold process soap. Here is our batch made with calendula - one of my favorite herbs. It's known for its antibacterial and immunostimulant properties. We infused the calendula in organic, extra virgin olive oil.



To make pouring easier, students transfer the 20 lb. raw soap into an easier-to-manage container before distributing into loaves.


Here students are distributing the 20 lbs. of raw calendula soap into containers to take home. They wait 24-48 hours, unmold the soap, slice it and wait 4-6 weeks to cure.

Want to learn how to make soap from scratch? Curious about the cold process process? Join us in New York City or Boston for our cold process soap class. You will learn safety guidelines and reach a level of comfort so that you can finally make soap by hand. We 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, curing and much more. Students receive soap recipes and a list of my favorite places to buy soap making supplies and equipment.

If you prefer private classes, contact us for consulting information. We've taught students from Ghana, South Africa, Germany, Chile, Guatemala, Ireland, Venezuela, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, Israel & and from around the United States how to start their own soap and natural skincare businesses.

Unable to travel? Let us come to you through our Learn At Home DVDs and online webinars.

For those of you experienced soapmakers looking for a new recipe, try our Moisturizing Cocoa Butter Soap with Calendula and let me know what you think!

16% Cocoa Butter
28% Coconut Oil
28% Olive Oil (infused with calendula)
28% Palm Oil

I like to superfat around 7% for this recipe.

Try this essential oil blend:
4% Vetiver essential oil (one of my favorite "anchor" essential oils)
96% Litsea essential oil

Do you have a favorite essential oil blend that you'd like to share?
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Top Five Essential Oils for Soap Making

One of the most frequent questions I am asked during soap class is "Which essential oils should I buy to have on hand for soapmaking at home?" It's a very good question for several reasons.

First, essential oils are one of the most expensive ingredients in soapmaking. It's wise to be selective as you won't want to buy 12 or 15 essential oils as you ease into your new craft. Remember, you are adding 0.5 oz of essential oil per pound of oils in your recipe. So if you are creating a batch of soap that requires four pounds of oil, you will be adding 2 oz. of essential oil. It can be one essential oil or a blend of oils, but right around 2 oz. Some soapers use a bit more, and others use a bit less. As you become experienced, you get a feel for your particular oils and their staying power.

Second, if you narrow down your oils to the top five, you can purchase in larger quanitities (I recommend 16 oz. of each) for best pricing. Most suppliers charge more per ounce on 2 oz. or 4 oz. than they do on a 16 oz. or pound of essential oil. So you're spending your money wisely up front.

Lastly, if you choose your top five wisely, you'll end up with blending options. This means besides making a one-scent batch, you can also make a two or three-scent batch.

In the natural skincare and soap classes I teach, students use only essential oils. These are derived from nature - from herbs, flowers, fruits and more. They provide physiological and psychological benefits. For example, two of lavender essential oil's many physiological benefits is that it aids in relief of psoriasis and skin wounds. One of its psychological benefits is that it is calming. You'll want to choose essential oils based on their essence as well as for the healing properties they provide.

Note for new soapmakers: Fragrance oils are synthetic and man made. They do not have physical, emotional or other healing properties. If you are using fragrance oils just confirm that they are intended for use in soap making and ask your supplier if they perform well or if there are any known problems.

Here are my Top Five Essential Oils for Soapmaking:

Lavender
Properties: Calming, soothing and relaxing, which helps those with stress and nervous tension, headaches and migraines. It is a natural choice for healing many skin conditions such as acne, bruises, burns, dermititis, eczema, inflammation, psoriasis, sunburn and wounds to name a few.
Blending: It blends well with many oils, from citrus to florals.

Rosemary
Properties: Rosemary immediately alters my mood. If I'm feeling a bit down, just a little sniff will help restore and balance my mental state. In addition, it is wonderful to use to aid in dermatitis, acne, eczema, and your boosting immune system.Blending: Try blending with lavender, peppermint, cedarwood, basil, and lemongrass.Note: Rosemary should not be used by individuals who are pregnant or who suffer from epilepsy.

Peppermint

Properties: Refreshing, restorative and a wonderful stimulant. It aids in circulation, muscular pain, can relieve asthma, and boosts the immune system.
Blending: Works well with rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus and of course lavender just to name a few.

Patchouli
Properties: Calming in small amounts, and uplifting in larger amounts. A known anti-inflammatory and useful in relieving dry skin.
Blending: Patchouli is one of several essential oils known to "anchor" scents. Use in small amounts, even when blending, as it can easily become overpowering. Blends well with lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, bergamot, clary sage and many more.

Lemongrass:
Properties: Uplifting and refreshing (one of my favorites for a kitchen soap). Aids in healing of acne and improves muscle tone.
Blending: Works well with citrus oils, lavender, geranium and bergamot. I love it with peppermint or eucalyptus. It is exceptional with a bit of patchouli.

Suggested Blends based on 4 oz. oil:

Lavender (2.5 oz.), Rosemary (1 oz.) and Patchouli (o.5 oz.)
Lemongrass (3 oz.) and Peppermint (1 oz.)
Lemongrass (3.5 oz.) and Patchouli (0.5 oz.)
Lavender (3.5 oz.) and Patchouli (0.5 oz.)
Rosemary (2 oz.) and Lemongrass (2 oz.)
Lavender (3 oz.) and Peppermint (1 oz.)
Peppermint (3 oz.) Patchouli (1 oz.)

It was challenging to pick just five, as Eucalyptus and Spearmint would have both been next on my list along with Vetiver, Geranium, Bergamot and Tea Tree.

Feel free to post your comments and let me know which oils you love or if you have any questions. You can check out my soap classes and natural skincare classes on my website.

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New York City Soap Class, Creams and Lotion Making and More!

Join me in New York City in for one or all five hands-on, educational, natural bath and body classes. The next series of workshops take place in May.

Held on the Upper West Side at a great studio inside Little Shop of Crafts (711 Amsterdam Ave. at 94th Street).

Classes are filling up. Sign up today at my website.

These classes are intended for both individuals and entrepreneurs with current bath and body companies and for individuals wanting to start their own business. Come join these small, intimate classes to learn how to run a successful bath and body company.

You'll learn from me, Marla Bosworth, a 12-year bath and beauty expert and market research analyst, who launched Back Porch Soap Company with only a few hundred dollars. Now I supply more than 200 upscale boutiques, Whole Foods, resorts, gift stores and spas with my products. In this class you'll learn how you can do the same.

Coming from out-of-town and looking for accommodations? Email me for recommendations.

Note: All classes must be prepaid in full on www.backporchsoap.com prior to attending. You will receive a confirmation email. Register before March 10, 2010 for special, early-bird discount!

Can't make this class but want to stay in the loop with us? Sign up for our newsletter here and we'll email you to let you know the latest happenings for new classes and more!

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.
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Soap class, handmade soap market research, handmade soap trends, how to make soaps and start a business, Soap making class, soap making classes, how to start a soap making business in New York city, New Jersey, 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.

How to Start a Soap Business, Part Two: Profile of a Successful Soapmaker

This is Part Two in a series on How to Start a Soap Business (Part One is here.) It's important to really delve into your personality and passion as to whether you are the kind of person who can turn your hobby/craft into a full-time business.

There are common threads that run through every successful business soapmaker I've ever met. Those common threads are a fire in their belly, a resistance to failure (because it comes knocking again and again), and an undying enthusiasm as well as passion for their products and business. There's not a class that will teach you about passion. Either you have it - or you don't. But there's much more beyond passion.

It's imperative to strike a balance between the passion of making your handmade beauty products and incorporating the business side. A well-run soap business is like a finely tuned machine. First the soapmaking, then the marketing/selling (usually more than the actual product making), then the bookkeeping. Some weeks the focus is more on marketing/selling. Nonetheless, review the bottom line weekly, then repeat.

Why is it important to review the bottom line? It gives a telltale sign as to what is working for your business, and what isn't. We'll discuss this more later in the blog series.

What happens frequently is that a soapmaker may get caught up in the soapmaking, afterall it is fun to create. We are all artists at heart, yes? But one of two things is going to happen. First, soapmaking funds are going to run dry, and you'll be sitting amidst a lot of stock that needs to be sold. Or second, you keep pouring funds perhaps from your day job into soapmaking while giving away stock and realizing you've never made a dime.

Successful soapmakers know the importance of the company's bottom line. Turning a fun hobby into a money-making business requires a watchful eye on your finances - what's coming in (profit) and what's going out (cost of goods/expenses). The encouraging part here is that if you're not the accounting type, you can hire someone to manage your financial books. Be honest with yourself. If you're not entering your receipts and knowing where you stand on a weekly basis, then it's time to hire help. Depending on the size of your business, you should be able to hire a reputable accountant for as little as one to two hours a week. Not only will this help get your business finances on track, it will also allow free up your time to focus on growing your business.

Owning and running a soap business is not for the faint of heart. A successful entrepreneur needs creativeness, a vision, confidence, can-do attitude, fearlessness, business savviness, and the ability to be a world-class multitasker. Afterall, you are going to be creative director, computer specialist, customer service rep, shipping agent extraordinaire, chief bottlewasher and janitor all wrapped into one (or at least until you have the funds to hire someone for these respective positions).

You must be able to spot and seize opportunity and be open to changes in the marketplace. Every successful entrepreneur I know is passionately obsessed about their business. They are constantly brainstorming – at various times of the day - ideas about ways to improve their business whether it be marketing, new products development and possible joint ventures or leveraging with other businesses.

A wide spectrum of marketing is crucial to bring exposure to your handmade products. To some entrepreneurs, marketing is almost innate. Stay tuned for more in future posts.

Building a part-time or full-time business takes time. It also takes money. So don’t quit your day job yet. Roll up your sleeves and be prepared to work on this new venture when you are not at your full-time job – evenings, weekends, whatever it takes.

What are some characteristics or traits that you've noticed in yourself or other soapmakers?

Top Five Tips for Starting A Successful Bath & Beauty Business

Recently I was asked for tips on how to start a bath and body business with limited income. Sometimes starting out on a limited income can be a blessing. Having limited income will force you to watch your spending, and to only spend on what is necessary.

Also, don't quit your day job. I recommend my clients to stay with their day job until their bath and beauty business is up and running before "jumping ship."

Top Five Tips for Starting A Successful Bath & Beauty Business

1. Avoid funding your business with credit cards.

2. Write your business plan. It does take time and effort, but you need to know your target market, marketing plan of action, SWAT analysis, pricing, and five year plan.

3. Gather a focus group of people you consider your target market. Choose people who you respect (not necessarily friends or family) and who will give you their honest feedback, even if it is negative. Be open and willing to listen to them. Meet with them at milestones in your business to get feedback on potential packaging, products, etc. Compile a list of detailed questions to give them for feedback on products. This way you get your valuable questions answered with information you can use instead of simple feedback such as "I liked it."

4. What makes you/will make you different from your competition? This is very important. It is going to be your selling point and it is going to be why your customers are going to buy from you versus your competitor.

5. Become your customer. Take away all you know about your company and approach it as someone who has just been introduced to it. Would you be drawn to your image, you products, your website? Step back and take a look at your products and company like this on a regular basis.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for starting your own bath and beauty company. Check out my classes and private consulting for further assistance with launching your business or taking your current bath and body business to the next level.

New York City Organic, Cold Process Soap & Creams/Lotions Classes!

Join me in New York City in March 2010 for one or all four hands-on, educational bath and body classes:

March 24, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Scrubs, Bath Bombs, Balms & Body Butters

March 25, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Cold Process Soap Making

March 26, 6-9:30 p.m.
Organic Creams and Lotion Class

March 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
How To Run A Successful Bath & Body Business

Held on the Upper West Side at a great studio inside Little Shop of Crafts (711 Amsterdam Ave. at 94th Street).

Classes are filling up. Sign up today at my website. In January, students travelled from more than five states as well as NYC to attend.

These classes are intended for both individuals and entrepreneurs with current bath and body companies and for individuals wanting to start their own business. Come join these small, intimate classes to learn how to run a successful bath and body company.

You'll learn from me, Marla Bosworth, a 12-year bath and beauty expert and market research analyst, who launched Back Porch Soap Company with only a few hundred dollars. Now I supply more than 200 upscale boutiques, Whole Foods, resorts, gift stores and spas with my products. In this class you'll learn how you can do the same.

Coming from out-of-town and looking for accommodations? Email me for recommendations.

Note: All classes must be prepaid in full on www.backporchsoap.com prior to attending. You will receive a confirmation email. Register before March 10, 2010 for special, early-bird discount!

Can't make this class but want to stay in the loop with us? Sign up for our newsletter here and we'll email you to let you know the latest happenings for new classes and more!

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.
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Soap class, handmade soap market research, handmade soap trends, how to make soaps and start a business, Soap making class, soap making classes, how to start a soap making business in New York city, New Jersey, 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.

Don't Miss the Next Cold Process Soap Class Set for January 23, 2010!

Want to learn how to make soap from scratch? Curious about the cold process process? Then this is the perfect class for you!

Marla Bosworth, 12-year soap business owner, will teach you how to make your own healing soaps using oils of your choice at home. This class is perfect for beginners and those who've never made soap. Whether you're a hobbyist or thinking about starting your own soap business, this is a great place to begin!

We'll cover safety guidelines and ensure that you 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.

Saturday, January 23
9 a.m.- 1 p.m.

Consider taking "How To Run A Successful Bath & Body Business" on January 21. View other January 2010 classes.

Class is held in my Duxbury, Massachusetts studio. We are located just 30 minutes south of Boston.Can't make this class but want to stay in the loop with us? Sign up for our newsletter here and we'll email you (once a month) to let you know the latest happenings for new classes and more!

Click here for information on private, one-on-one classes and how to launch your own bath and body business. Email owner Marla Bosworth at marla@backporchsoap.com for more information.

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Want to Know How To Start Your Own Soap Business? They Did Too!

It's a hot question these days: "How do I start my own soap business?" There's no quick or easy answer, that's for sure. It requires market research, planning, determining your niche, developing your products, launching, and successful marketing...just to name a few.

Recently, George (NJ), Fifi (Venezuela) and her daughter Ale (also Venezuela) joined me for a private three-day consultation and classes on how to start a business. We made products including soaps (glycerin and cold process), artisanal bath bombs, creams, lotions, balms, sugar scrubs and sea salt soaks.

Here George is taking time to custom scent the creams he made from scratch with a blend from several essential oils.

Working as a team, George, Fifi and Ale created a batch of soothing aloe body lotion.

Ale and George put the finishing touches on the final product!

Ale and Fifi flew back to Caracas, Venezuela and began gearing up for a busy holiday season. They plan to start with home parties this year to get their business off the ground.

What are your questions for starting or running a successful bath and body business? Post your questions here or at my discussion group on Indie Beauty. And check out my classes at my website.

In the meantime, here are some of the classes I teach:

Natural and Organic Products:
Cold Process Soap Making

Organic Oils Glycerin Soap Making

Liquid Soaps

Creams, Lotions, Balms, Scrubs and Sea Soaks

Artisinal Bath Bombs

Skincare for Babies/Children

Facial Spa Treatments

Men's Facial and Body Products

Petcare Products

Soy Candles, Diffusers and Other Home Fragrances

Organic Body Oils, Bars and Body Butters

Personalization and Monogramming

Business Classes:

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

Looking for private classes or soap business consulting? Or send me an email and I'll reply with more information.

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