Handmade Soap Business: How to Start Selling Online 🧼

[@CreativeHiveCo]

🚨NEW FREE WORKSHOP FOR 2022🚨 Learn how to create a PROFITABLE handmade business online without keeping up with social media 🔽 Watch the free workshop here: bit.ly/3vQ8IFQ

[@jomarirae4955]

I am loving all your videos! I am actually in the final stages of rebranding and launching my new skincare company. I have been making and selling soap for over 15 years and thought I would chime in on a few things that most of us reputable makers try to instill in new makers. #1 Soapmaking is a lot of work. There should be a ton of research put into what you make. #2 PLEASE PLEASE do not sell your first 10 batches! I cannot stress this enough. Practice, test and hone in your recipe. #3 NEVER use a recipe you found online without running it through a lye calculator. So many new makers want to get rich quick and use a recipe from online without making sure it is safe. #4 NEVER buy your fragrances or essential oils or base oils from anyone but a reputable vendor. So many eBay and Amazon products are adulterated. I have seen makers buy fragrance at smoke shops or the candle isle at Walmart. They are almost never skin safe and any essential oil brand that prices all oils the same is not selling you pure oils. #5 any learning channel or KZbin tutorial that tells you your soap is ready to sell in a few days to a week is NOT reputable. Soap HAS to cure! ( unless it is true melt and pour) . Even hot process soap needs a bare minimum of three weeks cure time. Soap is like wine, the older the better. Cure allows your soap to become milder and sheds the extra water which makes it last longer. If you sell soap made a week ago it is going to melt in the shower, turn to mush and last 1/4 of the time a cured bar will last. That means you will lose repeat customers. And finally #6 get product liability insurance before you sell. If your product injures someone it’s not worth losing everything you own in a lawsuit. Soaping 101 is a goddess and she knows this craft inside and out. For insurance look into the handcrafted soap and cosmetics guild or indie business network. Always check with your home owners or renters insurance as well they can void a claim if they find out you are making product at home and they did not know. For industry information on FDA labeling rules and GMP look up Marie Gale. Read her blog and buy her books. She is our guru on everything to do to be in compliance.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Jomari, this is INVALUABLE information you have posted here. I can't thank you enough for chiming in. And good luck launching your new site - so exciting!!

[@ashasyed8605]

I am interested in soap making I want to add fresh plant extract into the soap base bt what preservative should I use to increase its shelf life upto 12 months

[@joemarattendidomartosgokin4808]

Creative Hive hello may i get your email or any contact number to talk about bisnes or partnership

[@nadiacusan3799]

also you have soap calculators that help out for how much lye to put in and all, I have been using soap calculators and never did a missed batched turns out perfect 99 percent of the time

[@nadiacusan3799]

@@ashasyed8605 I have soaps that I have made 2 years ago and are still super good no mold and I always use my soaps, you need to try them out

[@sacredmoods]

Omg... I've been waiting on this... I've been making soap for 4 years and I need your course

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thanks so much for watching, Royette! I'd love for you to join my course!

[@prosperityssoaps708]

You can actually get very creative with melt and pour. There's advantages to it. Most flowers don't brown in melt and pour like they do in cold process. Lavender seems to be an exception to that rule. Also, fragrances can change in cold process, but not in melt and pour.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thanks for the tips! That's really helpful to know!

[@prosperityssoaps708]

@@CreativeHiveCo Yeah, melt and pour can really have its advantages, sometimes. I also should've mentioned that melt and pour comes out of plastic more easily than cold process, and so is easier to use on smaller, plastic molds. Also, melt and pour it's just easier in small molds period sometimes, and can be used to make smaller details where cold process might just break when you try to take it out, because melt and pour is more flexible until it finally hardens. Therefore, melt and pour is great for embeds, but cold process isn't always good for embeds.

[@randomfactsbecause.9929]

Wow!! This is such a great detailed video, I really love how simple and easy you made it for people like me who are new to soap making! Thank you for making this awesome video! I can't wait to try to make some of my own!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much for watching! I hope you were able to give soapmaking a try!

[@katerinastrange1085]

I have been seeking my soaps. I need more word of mouth but I am getting some good ideas from you on how to make the word get out. Thanks for the advice!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm glad to hear that, Ever So! I've got lots on my blog, too, at creativehiveco.com/blog if you want to check that out!

[@jemminz4561]

Hello, great video. I have been making soap for years but never sold and I finally decided to do this as I am getting ready to retire in 9 years and wanted something g to do in my retirement years, love what I do love a lot your advise. Ty.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Oh that's so exciting! You may find the Handmade Soap Guild site helpful! www.soapguild.org/

[@kareemaengineer]

hello,if you need website for your business dm me

[@ayushidey4116]

I am struggling and I wanted to start in this business. Your video helped me a lot to think how I would like to proceed. Thanks❤

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm really glad it was helpful to you, Ayushi!

[@michaelho2753]

No need to struggle we are all in the same boat but start and ask many questions I bet we can share and learn a lot from each other.

[@kareemaengineer]

hello ayushi,if you need website for your business dm me

[@financialfreedom9667]

Thank you! Such a well-made video full of great info and resources :)

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you! I really appreciate that!

[@SandraGonzalez-rs7qo]

Love your courses are very clear and need explained

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Glad you like them! I appreciate you watching!

[@coconutluxenaturals]

Absolutely wholesale has been life saver for me. As a soap manufacturer I can tell you, you need to make a heap of SOAPS to live off the income. Not sustainable unless you go BIG

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I have heard this! Wholesale orders can definitely be key - once you have some loyal buyers, that is a good spot to be in!

[@Ishikabose22]

Thank you so much for such detailed information it would be great if u make more video on related soap business. Looking forward

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you, Ishika! Is there a topic in particular you'd like to see?

[@Ishikabose22]

@@CreativeHiveCo yess how to market them basically on marketing 😊

[@michaelho2753]

Amazing and awesome I have started making soaps and listened with great interest.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so happy to hear that! Thank you so much for watching, Michael!

[@nicolmanoli9355]

Very nice video. I will try to make my own handmade soaps. I hope to succeed

[@CreativeHiveCo]

You can do it! Just follow the recipes well and take care with the ingredients. And have fun!

[@hello---6630]

Thanks I'm planning to make a soap business for young children audience since most bath products are for adults

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That's definitely a unique niche! I could check to see if there are any regulations you need to follow on children's bath products.

[@hello---6630]

Ah that would be lovely soap for children seem to be more soft

[@theresat8379]

You are a wealth of information!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much!! That really means a lot to me!! ❤️

[@yemi1able]

Thank you so very 🎉 I really learnt a lot from watching your this video

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much!! I'm so happy you learned a lot from it!! ❤️🥰

[@1sinister80]

Royalty Soaps is awesome I love her channel.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

So lovely!

[@marylyn9177]

it is so nice to find another fellow Malaysian here. I've been finding videos but most of the videos I found are catered for the states. I wanna start within Malaysia but I'm super scared

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi there! I try to share as much general business information as I can so that it is helpful to creative business owners everywhere, but if you have a specific question about something, let me know!

[@Madelin.]

ah, Thank you i have been wanting to start a online business for a while.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so glad to hear that - good luck getting started!

[@ssc4153]

I've been making hand crafted bath and body products for about 13 years now.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That's fantastic, SSC!

[@lydiaoppong4029]

I've been watching your videos for a long time now I want to start my business. Can you do a video about us that sew , like zipper pouch. Thank you.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thanks so much for the suggestion, Lydia!

[@SandraGonzalez-rs7qo]

I been thinking about it fba Amazon

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I have a video for that! kzbin.info/www/bejne/gp2ZmZmabtt4q6s

[@ambreenqureshi5912]

Helpful thank you!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Really happy to hear that, Ambreen!! Thank you so much for watching! ❤️

[@amydunley7606]

This is a really helpful video, thankyou I have just started making soaps and have been testing out recipes:) xx

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Wonderful! I'm happy to hear it was helpful to you!

[@amydunley7606]

@@CreativeHiveCo a question I have is if I am selling products is it important that I list all the ingredients including the ones I used in colourings and the oils xx

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Absolutely. Soap is highly regulated and you need to let people know what they are putting on their skin in case of allergies, etc.

[@amydunley7606]

@@CreativeHiveCo okay Thankyou :)) xx

[@beccamarieboutique9764]

Thank you for always being so open and helpful!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Awww, thanks so much, Becca! Thank you for watching!

[@FilipinoGuyinAmerica]

Awesome pun intro!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Haha, thank you! Thank you so much for watching, Arnold!

[@zairaorozco3203]

Thank you I really needed this!!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so glad it was helpful!

[@jasminmagat1565]

Hello Mei! Greetings from the Philippines. Thank you for these videos. I've just recently found your channel as I was searching about hand soaps. And now Im enjoying watching you everynight, skipping on my Korean dramas. Hehe! Your videos are very inspiring, I hope you can also make video about perfume making business as I'm interested in it too. Thank you! More power!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hello Jasmin! I'm so glad you found me, and thank you for watching!

[@SuzanTyrraschOk]

Thank you for this informative video! I am a painter and fluid artist who recently started making melt and pour soaps.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That's awesome, Suzan! Good luck on your new endeavor!

[@SuzanTyrraschOk]

Creative Hive Thank you so much - it has been so fun despite taking a lot of time!

[@lesleyscarff7177]

Hi Mei, just to let you know that in the EU you do require special licences to sell soap, and they are quite expensive!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That is good to know, Lee! That's the case here in the US too, and varies by state, and it's so important that people know that prior to starting up.

[@victoriadelosangeles9213]

thank you so much!!! I loved this video.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thanks for watching, Victoria!

[@SandraGonzalez-rs7qo]

Bramble berry I try to order from them but the prices for me in personal thoughts are high price than Amazon or Etsy

[@CreativeHiveCo]

If the prices are higher, it could mean they are using better ingredients, the bars are bigger, or they are just charging their time more accurately.

[@astr0cadet504]

What are the requirements (tests, certificates...) that Amazon requires to sell handmade soaps? Thanks for the video! 💘

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I would look into an FDA Certificate of Registration and product testing documentation. The FDA has determined criteria for determining what is a soap and what is a cosmetic.

[@RK-su4hs]

Hi Mei. Would you mind sharing which label application machine you use please? And if it’s manual or semi automatic? I appreciate your guidance:)

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi RK, I personally don't use one for any of my products! I don't use labels for my jewelry. The labels I use for my Amazon FBA packaging are inkjet printed labels that come in sheets I just feed into my regular inkjet printer.

[@RK-su4hs]

Creative Hive Thankyou for sharing your knowledge and experience with me :)I have one product to market atm. And plan on sending a few hundred to Amazon. Hard to get labels on small bottles level by hand. You can see it on FB Einstein Pain Relief. Thanks again Mei :)

[@symbaline472]

Thank you! this was really helpful :)

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so happy to hear that, Symbaline! Thank you so much for watching!

[@MrHerks]

Hi, Mea Do you have a video about set up shopify without products? I’m not completely ready to launch but close, so I want to work on my store in the meantime and set up an email sign up for when I direct traffic to my site, Thanks

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I have a blog about setting it up! www.creativehiveco.com/how-to-build-your-own-website-with-shopify-in-under-1-hour/

[@MrHerks]

@@CreativeHiveCo Thank you!

[@pearlcummings125]

Do I need to get a business license & Name to sell my homemade facial soap?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi Pearl! This completely depends. Rules/laws differ depending on your location so it would be best to consult with your local chapter. If you plan on running your business on the professional level (i.e. not a hobby business), you might want to get a business license, etc. I'd also like to share these blogs of mine in case they'll be helpful for you: www.creativehiveco.com/how-to-legally-start-a-handmade-business-from-home/ www.creativehiveco.com/how-to-start-a-lucrative-handmade-business-as-a-teenager/

[@silentvoid7273]

Thank you this is so helpful.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for watching!

[@iamleanna]

Hey i really want to start a business asap. I wanna know which will be best for me and cheap start and where to start

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That's awesome! The best place to start is with my free workshop The Three Secrets to Selling Online. After that I recommend watching this KZbin playlist!

[@mamalau6995]

Can I do my online soap biz in UK without any license or testing?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I am not in the UK, but this looks like a good place to start: www.soapmakingmagazine.co.uk/blog/index.php/2018/10/03/rules-regulations-legally-selling-products/

[@beautifuldreamer8803]

Thank you so much for this video.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much for watching! 💖

[@rebeccamarbley8126]

I’m a beginner and i would love for you to walk me though on making my own soap from scratch.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi Rebecca! You can check out the links below for some guide in making soap from scratch for beginners. Good luck!! ❤️❤️ heartscontentfarmhouse.com/soap-making-for-beginners/ food52.com/blog/12919-how-to-make-soap-at-home-even-if-you-failed-chemistry www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a20705805/how-to-make-homemade-soap/

[@bethanythomas8670]

This was super helpful!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm so glad to hear that, Bethany! Thank you so much for watching!

[@fifibatman638]

Melt and pour is safer at home?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

For any soap-related product you are going to want to make sure and take safety precautions and dedicate certain equipment just to the soap-making process.

[@spirituallylovingme-11]

Can the melt and pour soap be sold

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Yes it can.

[@spirituallylovingme-11]

@@CreativeHiveCo Thankyou

[@positivethoughts1229]

Thanks for the helpful video

[@CreativeHiveCo]

You're welcome! Thank you so much for watching!

[@moniquewrites9046]

Can you talk more about the amazon warehouse-ing Also should I get an LLC?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Here's all my videos on selling on Amazon: kzbin.info/aero/PLd52Nr4SNc0kKDMiLcyY-eC8gIldx_5Sx And here's some information about deciding between an LLC and sole proprietorship. It depends on your comfort level and the liability your company may have: bloomlawfirm.com/articles/31/limited-liability-corporation-versus-sole-proprietorship

[@Titimuhammad]

Thank you!!!! You’re an Angel 😇

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Aww, thank you so much for saying that!

[@Titimuhammad]

Absolutely! I was just let go looking for a job now to invest into my Yoni Soap business while in Cosmetology School 😭😫

[@-Kaamkaazi]

Lovely says

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@Vidyamurthy-r4c]

Pls do videos on body butter

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi Vidya! Are you looking for videos on how to make body butter? If so, there are lots of step-by-step tutorials on KZbin (and Google) that you can check out. Here's a link for your quick reference: kzbin.info?search_query=how+to+make+body+butter Good luck!! ❤️

[@Vidyamurthy-r4c]

@@CreativeHiveCo thank you

[@lll3388]

Ive never made soap before but I’ve been interested in the business 😭

[@CreativeHiveCo]

It's a great business to have because people constantly need it. There are definitely some safety things you need to look into to make some of it, but the actual possibilities and recipes are endless!

[@user-mv3dv1yv6x]

Great video! If I want to open a bath bomb and bath sea salt shop on etsy, do I have to get a license ? I'm afraid of being sued if there's something wrong with the stuff I'm selling🥺🤧🤧

[@CreativeHiveCo]

It depends on where you live. Some states require you to be licensed for bath and body products - you may want to check with you Department of Consumer Protection and you may also want to check out the Soap Guild: www.soapguild.org/

[@craigscraig5491]

can you do this if you are under 18 ? also what about getting the product tested?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Yes, you absolutely can. I would definitely make sure your parents know, especially since there are chemicals involved in soap making. What type of testing are you asking about?

[@thetruth3828]

But how to get approval for handmade soaps? Before we can sell on Amazon we need certificates or approvals I believe.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Yes, you need to look into an FDA Certificate of Registration and product testing documentation. The FDA has determined criteria for determining what is a soap and what is a cosmetic.

[@nanamahalo5019]

Do I need a license to sell?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

It depends on where you live. Different areas have different requirements regarding soap and other body products. I did a video that touches on some legal business stuff (kzbin.info/www/bejne/ep7chaGsqc1lptU) but you should also check out the Soap & Cosmetics Guild (www.soapguild.org/).

[@SandraGonzalez-rs7qo]

Do I need license for bath bombs home business ?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

It depends on where you live. Some states do require it, under cosmetics and body products. You can check with your state's Department of Consumer Protection.

[@ellewilliams-piper9448]

Insta is also a great place to market now

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Yes, if you have engagement it definitely can be. I just did a series on Instagram marketing: kzbin.info/aero/PLd52Nr4SNc0nl8MZYnu2PgZxK1Ou1OQii

[@scrochet]

I love soap and people always gift me handmade soap. I’m also allergic to soap other than baby soap 💀

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Handmade soap is such a lovely gift! I hope you're able to use some of it!

[@erithg8747]

Thank you!

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thank you so much for watching, erith!

[@namrathay.s9038]

can I know which country are you from?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I was born in Malaysia.

[@josephamarie8433]

I wanted to do this but in Europe you can’t sell cosmetics so easily... you need to have your product tested, etc. The law is quite strict...

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Yes, you definitely have to check your local restrictions and guidelines. Here in the US each state has something different on the books.

[@moonplayz8959]

I am only ten and I am starting one todayyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[@CreativeHiveCo]

That's fantastic! Make sure you have your parents' help and permission - soap has a lot of rules and regulations you have to follow depending on where you live.

[@butterflyjaie9550]

Can u mentor me plz

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Hi! I'm happy to help or answer your questions. May I ask what you currently need help with in your business? Feel free to also email me at [e-mail]. You got this! ❤️

[@Souperdouperkewl]

Cool... Can I make footmade soap too? Edit: actually no.. It might smell

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Not if you clean them first with handmade soap! 😉

[@Souperdouperkewl]

@@CreativeHiveCo OK!

[@Mafa__B]

Am afraid of cold process I rather do melt and pour .. I saw people making different styles and you can play with styles.. I think we can also make it with melt and pour.. and Thanks a lot for your words it’s helpful.

[@CreativeHiveCo]

You can definitely do melt and pour, just know that it will be of a different quality and possibly a different audience than cold process soap, so you will have to market accordingly.

[@chandrawhite7904]

Don’t be afraid of cold process! I watched Royalty soaps, bought a soap recipe book and jumped in! I find melt and pour more difficult/ annoying when trying to do cute designs.

[@Bella_0303]

Creative Hive can you expand on this? How do melt and pour and cold process target a different market?

[@coconutluxenaturals]

Loved this video. I've been a soap maker since 2010 coconutluxe.com.au in Australia. I'm eager now to take it to the next level. I have received amazing feedback from you Mei, I cannot wait to do your course..x Katherine

[@CreativeHiveCo]

I'm looking forward to working with you, Katherine!

[@Royalssc1]

Omg .... you're so cute.......😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍MEI PAK.......

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@mdliton1396]

কি কাটের তা তো বলেন না

[@CreativeHiveCo]

এই ক্ষেত্রে আপনি সাবানগুলি বারগুলিতে কাটুন।

[@rehamalkindi4321]

I’ve started a homemade skincare products on instagram three months agobut I’m having a trouble with selling the products although I can see how many saves and shares I get and yet there is zero sells. Its been frustrating, because that’s the business that I have always wanted to have and it’s not successful and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong! This is the account (glowlush.om)

[@CreativeHiveCo]

You need a website. People who are looking for products don't want to have to DM you to order, they want to go to a website and read a description and get a feel for who the maker is. It's like window shopping at a store, and then you have to ask someone to open a case to look more closely at an item - it's a deterrent from purchasing.

[@isaac854]

What do you think about purchasing bulk/wholesale and reselling under your own label soaps, lotions, etc ?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

You can do this, but you can't call it handmade.

[@isaac854]

@@CreativeHiveCo what if the person I purchase from does truly hand make the product ?

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Then you can market it as handmade soap, etc. but can't market yourself as the maker. Your site would be more of a marketplace or gift shop.

[@clementeen]

“selling soap isn’t about huge profit margins”- well what if that is someone’s sole income source? Kind of disappointed you said that

[@CreativeHiveCo]

Well, the full quote is "Selling soap isn’t about huge profit margins and you should definitely not look at it as a get-rich-quick plan, however, it is a great way to have fun and get creative while also learning about handmade businesses and selling online. It’s very possible to break through the saturated market and make a living from it, but you will need to stand out from the crowd and make good strategic choices along the way." Meaning, this isn't the fastest way to get online, like, say, beaded jewelry. Soap is a chemical process that needs some research and time to set up, so it's not fast. But learning the needs of your target audience and diversifying your products can then help you earn a living from it. I hope that better explains what I meant!

[@clementeen]

@@CreativeHiveCo thanks so much Mei, that explains it perfectly. I apologize if I sounded negative, I guess its just my frustration talking. I really need a strategy, I have been making soap for a while, I have brilliant reviews and a very small but loyal customer base. But this is my only means of income, so I really need to be making a certain amount of money daily to make any profit. I love what I do and my products are well loved. But I have no idea how to market myself or my business.