Don't go into debt starting a soap business.

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

I know, trial is over. It’s been a very interesting one, and we are all feeling some kinda way.

[@CassadarGoesRawr]

Very interesting and so sad.

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

It really is, just across the board. So many lives lost, changed, ruined.

[@joezupko]

My top advice is: 1) Upgrade as you go 2) Try using the same ingredients for multiple products 3) Don’t over complicate your products

[@alanamason4518]

It's hard to restraint! Lol. But I do have a general rule that I only have a new product if I sell enough to have some money in the buisness account. If I don't I try to make some sales in order to do the R&D for the new thing. But I do get a lot distracted by the things I want to do....

[@debran.3100]

Thank you so much for this. I've been struggling to move forward because of all the things I see successful soapers are doing. Every single subject you covered I have been contemplating but thought wasn't enough. This video is truly freeing.😊❤

[@adhd_alchemy]

I'm a gonner...no debt, but those receipts....chiiiiiiiiile. Thank you for this heart to heart ❤

[@techbasics2647]

Best advice ever for new soap makers.

[@lusciousleo1971]

I wish I had this video 3 years ago. I let myself get carried away and caught up on the excitement a d now I have Fragrances molds and supplies EVERYWHERE EVERYWHERE. Then I got burnt out in 2021, wasn't happy with the appearance of my product and just stopped cold turkey. I decided I wanted to practice practice practice my craft and I'd go from there. I don't want to think about how much I've spent.

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

It’s a lot! I recently did a mold and scent de-stash and felt so much lighter!

[@authentichomestead]

This is why I love your videos, no no nonsense, straight to the point, and very encouraging, especially for us newbies. Thank you!

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

No nonsense are definitely NOT words that have been used to describe my videos. 😂

[@joannmahaffey1068]

Great video. I have been doing this for 6 going on 7 years. Do not have a web site. Just local markets. Have no debt. I have accumulated a couple of good molds and have learned a lot about what oils I can sub for the expensive oils. buying bulk wholesale has helped me keep costs down. I am ready for a bigger space but with the current instability in the economy and insanely high rent everywhere it is not a good idea at this time. My customers love my product so i will just keep keeping on. Have fun with the kids. They will be grown up and gone before you turn around.

[@JustALittlePeachy]

I totally thought the thumbnail said keeping your shipping costs low. I was super excited but even though it wasn't the info that I was looking for, we all need reminders that we need to dial ot back some. Thanks for making great videos.

[@lakeshia_SoapCo.1]

Thank you I've done small test batches of soap the simple soaps turned I the best to me olive oil, coconut oil, castor, or palm oil I say castor bc I can't find palm in my area . I'm gonna stick the 3 basic ingredients 💕

[@Abutado]

All fantastic advice! I penny pinch where I can while still maintaining my values and quality. Most of my containers are repurposed yogurt, coconut oil tubs or other food containers, most others were purchased from the dollar tree or in bulk on Amazon for super cheap (small bowls, spatulas, measuring equipment, etc). I also constantly search for the best prices and efficiency, I make small batches out of my home so oil drums don't work. I haven't taken out any loans or doesn't outside of my means, if it's not feasible then I wait until it is.

[@kezz6146]

Brilliant... one of my first moulds was a Pringle's tube, it's still oneof my favs😂❤

[@SeekJoySoapery]

I enjoy hearing the practical advice! We see eye to eye on so many things 😊

[@lizandramartinez286]

Thank you!! I've been thinking about downsizing and simplify. Now I'm sure that is the road to choose. 🤗

[@sandraclark2715]

I've recently started making the change to simplify things after 2 years. I can see already that it's going to be easier and way less stress 😩😊. Thank you for the sound advice

[@catarinaconcepts9731]

I really needed to hear this message! I've been suffering from imposter syndrome and creativity overload. Will take a breath and pare it back. thank you for the video.

[@billmusall]

My soap business is launching next month and I am starting with 6 different bars. That's it. Six. Just soap. Just six. I will add more products as I grow.

[@lmlowe9100]

For most, especially newbies, there seems to be a need to run before even learning to crawl. Most also do not have a niche market and worse yet, they don't even know who their actual market is! They see successful soapers and think it all happens overnight. It doesn't! Do the work people, put in the time, if you aren't willing to do that, you won't be around long.

[@pattiemoseley8752]

Those are absolutely gorgeous 💖

[@lifewithamberb]

That’s gorgeous

[@stevehirsch8413]

Thank you for this. Been feeling like there's too much stuff to do. I'm just getting started with the business. I don't have any debt because I've just pretty much been crafting one 10 inch loaf at a time. When I start running out of space I share and sale it. Of course I want to be a sustainable company, it's just going to take time to get there... Also those bars were gorgeous 👍🏻

[@mvelenagarcia]

Im low on debt in the soap making department. There is a fund here in Chile that is for the people that can asks for loans on banks. So i buy only with that money and i pay it back in small payments.

[@aliceswonders104]

Hey Mrs Soap + Clay, Your kidlets are way more important than video editing! Can't wait to hear how happy they are with their room makeovers 😊 As for investment vs. selling, I don't have much to invest, however my 'want to' list is endless. My approach is that folks will be happy with what I have as they don't know the extent of what I'm dreaming of making! There is a benefit to this approach; slowing down your offering means that you can test if there's an actual demand for what you have to offer vs. your ambitions about what you'd like to offer. Upshot is that by limiting your resources and offering, you're actually testing your particular market and what will actually sell. Love your work xx

[@kajbathandbodyllc4318]

When I started my business I did it to just try and get some of the money back that I was spending on my “hobby.” Then (this may sound weird) I got “addicted” to ppl enjoying my products. Like it was so cool to see some random person from across the country order something then rave about it on the internet. I constantly think to myself “are they really talking about my soap, my products?” And yes of course stupid it’s a review on ur site!😂 Seriously though, I love making things that bring happiness and joy to ppls lives. These are products that ppl buy to pamper themselves, they are extra.. not an essential. I feel like what I made gave them a moment of peace or relaxation or even made someone happy because they received it as a gift. Idk.. kinda cheesy ik. But it’s getting time to where I need to start getting serious about it. I do want this to be a viable source of income. That’s my next step. ❤

[@TanglewoodSoapCompany]

Excellent advice!

[@nhonor6322]

Thank you Mrs. Soap and Clay! Very helpful!

[@hbrunet72]

My first year of business I had just body soap and facial soap, in 10 scents (which I bought in single oz bottles) … second year I added bath bombs and lip balms … I’m into my third year and I’m adding several other products, including shampoo (both soap and syndet bars) and lotions … Totally concur with this advice!

[@reenmah2102]

So many truths said here. I’ve moved from thinking about this as limiting to it being intentional, curated, and sustainable. Sustainability is an approach that can apply both to the sources of indigents as well as help in creating a making + business path that will sustain your life and result in a business that still exists years down the line.

[@debbiestelle3181]

Thank you soooo much for making this video. I wish I had heard this about 5 years ago when I started my aromatherapy certification program. I was several thousand $$ in debt before I even bought my first oil and carrier. You are such an awesome person and just down to earth. Took me a while to get used to your style and now I look forward to watching. You make me laugh most days and for that as well as your knowledge I am so thankful to have found your channel and just love you. You are the only person that just totally said that maybe lotion bars are not my thing and if I can't get find a recipe I like to just move on to something else. For that honesty I totally thank you. I am going to try one more time with what I have learned from you and a fewother soaper/crafters and if they don't work, well time to move on to something else. I live in Denver Colo so it's not like it's too moist here and rainy so one more try. Thanks again.

[@dmsoapco]

I needed this video! Thank you for this! ❤🙌

[@gwenbrown8513]

I think I really needed to hear this one. I have been trying to get a big inventory so I have lots of choices. I do believe I need to slow down and dial myself back in! I appreciate you and all of your tips!

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

Just a few at a time helps you gauge your customer’s needs as well!

[@gwenbrown8513]

@@MrsSoapAndClay definitely. I have realized that you don't need every scent or every recipe. I am doing lotion bars and beard oils because of my kidlettes lol. My oldest thinks he's part of duck dynasty! Thank you again for all you do to help me and others like me. I would never have started without your channel giving me the confidence to just do it.

[@mgtv5482]

So true re fancy oils not being necessary.

[@themossgarden9698]

We make some things, sell those and use that money to buy more and build up. If someone wants a special order, ie “I want a soap with x y or x” price goes up for special orders

[@anastasialujan6238]

Very helpful. Thank you for this. Have a lovely day.

[@belindaayewoh437]

Thank you. I SO needed to hear this! Soap making is a hobby of mine. It relieves me of stress, like working in my yard does...but I found myself doing just what you advised not to do. Thank you for being there to reel me back in!

[@ChronosKat]

Thank you for this video, this was something I needed to hear SO much. I know I can't afford all the extra oils and fragrances and fancy molds with where I'm at right now, and it was stressing me out a little bit. I have to remember to keep things simple and go one soap at a time.

[@NezumiSoaps]

VERY good advice ❤️🫧

[@siratalnajat3939]

Thank you it was really a loyal advice

[@CassadarGoesRawr]

Thank you! I just ordered more soaping supplies last week , hopefully it gets here soon. lol shouldve waited :P I'm ready to make more soap!

[@RED-cy7ig]

Great advice. Your insight is always appreciated.

[@ramonecd]

I have the best melt and pour recipe and no one in person buys my melt and pour soaps! They like the cold process…but my melt and pour sells ok on website 🤷‍♀️ probably because of my molds.

[@sl4983]

What website do you use? Or recommend?

[@shannongray151]

Thank you for the advise it is very helpful being I am just starting on this soap journey for my family.

[@vernaharris181]

There are so many scents out there that could work and Lord knows, I bought over 150 of them and I just had to stop. I am not crazy with micas or colorants, I have down sized to about 8 different oils/butters for lotions/balms….good advice about not spending too much money when the profits aren’t coming in. It is just impossible to keep up with all the soap makers and sell affordable soap. I don’t want to sell a $10-20 bar of soap…. If I wouldn’t spend money on that I shouldn’t/don’t expect my own customers to spend that kind of money either!

[@cherylturner2173]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful😅😅❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@BellaFleurElise]

Thank you for all your helpful info!

[@juliebissat3036]

Great information!!! Thank you ❤

[@lamella24]

Thank you for this video! Very informative😊

[@SerendipitousProducts]

That’s the state I am in now. I have like 5soaps, I make and then two or three seasonal bars. Keep it simple. I have a budget I started with and never went over it. Keep it simple make great soap.

[@sl4983]

How do you sell it?

[@SerendipitousProducts]

@@sl4983 currently I sell on Etsy. I built my website and the sales platform. Once I get all the soaps I want to dale continuously I will turn on sales from my site. And move off Etsy.

[@karenem7489]

Great advice, and looking at my ingredients stock, especially fragrance oils, probably could’ve done with a year ago. Oh well, just have to stick to my day job for another 5 years. 😅😊

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

Ha! The fragrance oil obsession is real.

[@karenMQSoapery]

If I had that much money into it at once I would be already be selling everything lol I only order little by little each month I have enough now to start but I am now working on my labels and everything else too but that’s crazy people putting that much money into it at once you don’t know if your going to do great or not it’s life build little at a time no stressing out lol have fun with the girls enjoy that time

[@RayRaybmb]

Such a beautiful soap !! Can I ask what mica you used for the pink? I wish I would have thought things through cause I am in deep buying stuff over the past year and have not even gotten stuff ready yet to start up a business which is my plan, fragrances really get me there are so many and I can’t control myself! Thank you for the info in this video!

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

I think the pink is voodoo from mad micas!

[@MsAubrey]

The only thing that irks me is when I find a favorite FO and it’s unavailable the next time you go back for more… looking at NG!

[@MrsSoapAndClay]

They do cycle through scents pretty quick!

[@joannmahaffey1068]

Oh yes, this makes me almost angry and that takes a lot. They make so many IMO bad ones that accelerate, discolor and just plain fade to nothing in cp soap. and then they stop restocking one that is spectacular. I guess what I find so frustrating is that if you read ALL the info. (shop very carefully) and the frag does not stick or whatever, you cannot get any money back. In my estimation that you need to add 1/3 to the cost of the amount of fragrance you use in a given soap to cover the cost of the ones you cannot use or the soap you have to donate because it lost all the fragrance 2 weeks in to the cure. A hint to newbies...buy only the primary colors of micas to start + titanium dioxide and learn how to mix your colors. I started with 5 colors + td. I still do not have a huge variety of colors as I can mix your own.

[@MsAubrey]

@@joannmahaffey1068 I haven’t really had an issue with scent fading. I learned from Mrs. S&C that some kaolin clay (or other clay) can help retain the scent. But I definitely agree with the rest. I do have a recipe or two that uses no FO at all, but they have natural cocoa butter so they smell like cocoa. Those are my face bars and for those with sensitive noses. Most of the FOs that I’ve used are pretty potent and I use a fraction of it regarding max rate usage. I did go closer to max rate for a couple of the ones that are a bit lighter in scent or ones I REALLY love though.

[@MsAubrey]

Oh gosh… I feel better about my costs now.

[@EmeraldsHoneyComb]

First ❤️

[@felicascriven3672]

love the info and i think that looks like d#%go&s !r3@th 😃 thank you for your inspiration!