A review of our handmade soap making business in 2022 and changes, goals & resolutions for 2023

[@AniaBumba]

I discovered your channel just recently and I find all your business related videos so interesting. I am looking into setting up a business and it is very helpful. I wish you were still regularly recording videos but at least I hope you are too busy making and selling!

[@Imprasario]

Thanks for the update on your business plans. Small businesses have been hit hard here in the US as well. My groceries have gone up $400 per month alone. Selfishly, I’m happy to hear that you will continue to make videos and I wish you all the best in the coming year.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

It's crazy how quickly everything is going up in price isn't it! The videos are a real bit of escapism at the moment, so there will be plenty more coming! :-)

[@katarzynaderkacz39]

Lovely to see you again ❤️

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you :-) Hopefully you will see more of us in 2023!

[@joannelishman204]

Happy New Year! All the best for 2023- i found your video's so helpful and inspirational over the Festive break so its great to hear there will be more to come!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you so much Joanne and thank you also for the purchase that you made from us :-) We are looking forward to doing more videos in 2023!

[@joannelishman204]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany It arrived today- smells divine (very spa like and fresh). I wasn't quite sure what to expect and thought a salt bar would be 'rougher' than a sugar scrub. But, not at all - it felt creamy and lathery and i absolutely love it - skin feels soft and smooth - definitely the first of many salt bars to come i think!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

@@joannelishman204 Thank you so much and it is great to hear that it has reached you safely. Yes, the lather on the salt bars is really rich and creamy and it is great to hear your skin is feeling lovely and smooth and soft 🙂

[@DebsShipley1969]

Well happy new year and all the best for 2023

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Happy New Year to you too Debs :-)

[@pammathews7211]

I completely agree with your 2022 assessment. I didn't make any profit until November and I'm in the US.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

It's such a shame isn't it and worrying too. Here's to a better 2023!

[@tetra5578]

Lovely to see you. Great video 🌷🙏

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you :-)

[@dieseephuis]

We missed you!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you! Really hoping to be around more in 2023!

[@dieseephuis]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany we can't wait 🤗

[@unalikerose]

I've no problem with palm oil in products. Though I do look for responsible sourcing.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

It has been the hardest change for us personally to adapt to so far, we too are also sourcing ingredients with responsibly sourced as that is incredibly important to us.

[@traceyjackson8552]

We only use RSPO Certified Palm, so we are sure it’s is sustainable. We use it in our 2 of our CP assessments.

[@emmabaker8678]

Sooooo glad to see you back!!!😘

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you! Hopefully we will be able to stay on top of more regular videos in 2023!

[@DebsShipley1969]

I feel for you with the SCI issues. It's outside your control. We're all hanging on by our fingertips as it is. Here's to a better year for us all.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Debs, yes is is so frustrating with the SCI, we just have to go with what is available now unfortunately. Hopefully 2023 will be a better one for all of us!

[@debbyflowers1488]

Had a great year here in Minnesota USA. I had to raise my prices and people said they understood and bought anyway. I agree with what you say about price points, at vendor events I would be selling a lot but the people selling art or other higher priced things were not doing as well. Always enjoy your videos!

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you Debby, so nice to hear that you had a good year and I hope that 2023 is just as good for you!

[@jilljackson4097]

Happy new year guys. I had a much better 2022 with much less Covid restrictions here in Perth. Mind you my January markets were cancelled as everyone is still on summer holidays including fellow stall holders 😆Looking forward to 2023 😍😍Cheers, Jill.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

So glad to hear your 2022 was so much better Jill. We are missing our January farmers market on Sunday as I am off on my winter holidays! You all have sun, sea, sand and high temperatures and I will be in the arctic circle in minus temps and snow! :-D

[@Hilary_ClarbySoaps]

Happy birthday 🥳. Agree with you totally on price increases and I’ve noticed a down turn in sales too. People generally are spending less. Let’s hope 2023 is better for all of us. Agree that fairs are a real bind, a drain bath on time and energy. ❤

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Hi Hilary, It's not my birthday today, but I think I caused confusion when I mentioned I am 40 as you are not the first to wish me a Happy Birthday! Here's to a better 2023 for all of us, with the exception of November & December I certainly don't fancy another 2022!

[@tanyabonnett7787]

Happy 2023 to yourself and Wayne. I live way down in Southern Australia and the price rises of raw ingredients including Wax has increased so much as well so it must be a worldwide increase.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Happy New Year to you too! Yes, it does seem to be worldwide, doesn't it. Here's hoping that the prices at least stabilise this year, as I don't think any of us can handle them continuing to rise so sharply!

[@kimcannon3006]

Happy New Year !! Love watching from the US. Was wondering why you don’t use SCI made with coconut oil ? That’s what we have over here. I don’t like using palm oil either, but my business is only soaps but hoping to add whipped sugar scrubs , body butters and candles this year. Praying for your business, keep up the great videos

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

The SCI we purchase is predominantly coconut oil derived but unfortunately the manufacturers are now choosing to add in a small amount of palm during the production :-( Good luck with adding new products to your range this year 🙂

[@MRMC99999]

Happy new year. Do you think it would be alot more economical to produce your own essentials oils for soap production?

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Hi Mark and Happy New Year! Due to the amount of plant material and energy we would need in order to distill our own essential oils, it would be a lot less economical for us. I would love to try distilling my own at some point though, even if just as a fun experiment!

[@sophiadalgliesh988]

I use SCI powder (Palm Free) from The Crafters Shop 👍🏽 xx

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

I have already spoken with The Crafter's Shop and they have confirmed that unfortunately when their current stock of palm free SCI has sold out the new batches will all have palm included in them :-(

[@clairemartin1397]

It's lovely to see you back, I love watching your videos, they've been so informative 😊 I started my soap & shampoo bar business at the end of September 22 & I have had a few orders (mainly from people I know) but understandably it is very slow. I have lots of plans for this year but unfortunately cashflow is very restrictive on what I feel I can achieve ☹️ but fingers crossed I'll get there 😊

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

We have our fingers crossed for you Claire! Yes, cash flow can be so restrictive, there are so many ideas we have and items we would like to purchase to make life easier, but the bank balance says no!

[@shopwildvenus]

I understand the disappointment in your year, pretty much how it's gone for me too. I've also noted people only buying one of something rather than going for a multi-buy deal. Had a massive impact on sales! What a blow about the SCI! If it looks to be a permanent problem do you think you'll have to tweak your branding? All the best and thanks for your honesty and transparency 👍

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you for your comment :-) I am hoping 2023 will be a better year, but who knows! We have already tweaked our website & branding to remove all our "palm free" statements so as not to mislead anyone. We are talking about a possible rebrand for 2023, so we will see what happens!

[@shopwildvenus]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany That is such a shame! You've worked so hard on that and it's a great niche. Good idea about seperating the bright colourful bombs off into their own thing though. PS try Craftovator for Sodium Hydroxide. I stocked up a couple of weeks ago, used a 10% off voucher too and it was a pretty decent price (considering some alternatives).

[@andifbuchanan]

We had a tough start to 2022 as well. Christmas was better. However, we had less November sales than normal.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

I am glad to hear that Christmas was better for you Andrea. I think we are all hoping for a better start to 2023. Happy New Year to you :-)

[@andifbuchanan]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany Happy New Year to you as well!

[@tassiegirl1991]

Cant you use a different surfactant

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

We did consider this but it is really hard to find one that doesn't contain palm at all (with the exception of SLS, which we don't wish to use due to it being an irritant). We considered buttermilk but found it didn't foam so well and of course then the bath bombs are no longer vegan (we do have a number of vegan customers). My latest thought is to experiment with cocamidopropyl Betaine powder, which may work but will require some testing first to be sure. One of the problems though with changing the surfactant would be that we would need to pay for all of our cosmetic safety assessments to be re done if we change the surfactant which would cost close to £1000 for all our affected recipes and is something we really can't afford at the moment unfortunately.

[@tetra5578]

Is it your 40th birthday, unless i heard wrong!? If so, have a lovely day ⚘🎉

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

I was 40 a few months ago, the reference to being 40 was poking fun at myself for using an app favoured by teenagers, when I am well past being a teenager myself! :-)

[@Marthawehrly]

It is so frustrating with the way prices have gone up lately.

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

I know! Thankfully the price of citric acid seems to be coming down every so slightly now, but I don't think it will ever be as low as it was a year ago again :-(

[@Marthawehrly]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany sodium hydroxide is always going to be ridiculous too. We as businesses have to keep up.

[@Asaysapoan]

❤❤🎉🎉🌹🫶

[@drziad7671]

Hello I am Dr. Pharmacist Ziad You are very wonderful people and I wish you great success. I admire your performance and honest advice. I would like to communicate with you, please

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Thank you so much:-)

[@roroalh8785]

Hello hope you will have better chance this year for me 2022 was great because I settle moved to new house after a long wait was planning to start skincare business the economic and cost of living is scary please if you are planning for more you tube videos I ve got some ideas like I am concerned how it cost labeling packaging shipping website or instgram how we could make all these essentials at lower cost hopefully you can help us with your views and experience 💝

[@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany]

Congratulations on moving to your new house! Thank you for the video suggestions, I love the idea of a video on packaging and labelling, we will look into making one on that soon!

[@roroalh8785]

@@TheSussexHandmadeSoapCompany Thanks👍💝