GETTING MY SOAP BUSINESS TOGETHER - packaging decisions, making shampoo bars, taking a break

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[@handworks2024]

Jerika, there is a gal who is a candle maker who has a 5 part series on finding your target audience. It was very, very informative and helpful. Her KZbin is, How to Lymarie.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

I will 100% check her out! Thank you!!!

[@sweetbeautyblu9921]

I believe there is a low sweat melt and pullout base you can buy. If you overheat your melt n pour, that causes it to sweat more. Or if the product sits open without being wrapped and in a humid area that is worst.

[@maryellenflick6963]

Ohhh myyy goshhhh Jerika.. I LOVE it!!! My first impression was Wowww.. looks like a whipped winter snowball cupcake.. I love the fuzz on the ball.. looks like a real snowball ..love the light colors too. Your products are amazing. You have a unique gift and style to offer to your community…you have a great talent for teaching along with a genuine sweet personality. That’s a great recipe for a WIN WIN booming business in all you do. Wooo hoooo!!! You go Girl! God Bless your business Jerika and your family.. can’t wait to buy your products and especially excited about trying your signature soap.. I heard it is AMAZING!!!❤️ Ps.. Fall is my favorite time of year too!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Aw, thank you! These words are so encouraging and I’m lucky to have such a supportive viewer ❤. You’re so appreciated!

[@desistdawdling6737]

I only found your channel a couple of weeks ago and I just wanted to say welcome back! Thank you for sharing your recipes and teaching us! I don't have the money to invest yet, but working towards making my own soaps as well. So excited for more content!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

You are so welcome! And I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for watching ❤

[@user-iu3rg3xo8x]

you should be able to buy 'low sweat' melt and pour. Still doesn't 100% stop sweating but does help!

[@kathy4950]

Hello great class thank you have a blessed day. Kathy from Cali.😎

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thank you! You too! ❤

[@Abutado]

Oregon girl here, my husband and I love going clamming and crabbing whenever we can, they make the best fresh seafood. If you liked that campsite I suggest Fort Stevens up by Beverly Beach in Northwest Oregon, I've always been fascinated by the old military base there. Plus the Peter Iredale is neat to see.

[@lovelather9012]

You can’t go wrong with Bud Haffner’s soap cutters. He has wooden and metal ones on Etsy. Even his wooden ones stand the test of time. I also second workshop heritage that someone else mentioned on here.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Awesome! I’ll definitely check these companies out! Thank you 😊

[@leannagilbert4861]

For your melt and pour, the glycerin in the soap actually draws the moisture to it. You can try using low sweat soap. I've had a lot of luck with Makesys Coco mango melt and pour. It's harder than the typical melt and pour base.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thanks for the tip! I’ll check that out! ❤

[@shannonpayne3041]

Looking forward to soaps unscented and scented, shampoo bars, facial cleansers, lotions, lip balms, seasonal body butters, seasonal candles, shaving bars, dishwashing bars , foot scrubs, bath bombs and all! Yay !

[@hilarielloyd1426]

I love Nurture's multibar cutter -- Katie at Royalty Soaps uses those and I do too - cuts evenly and beautifully and easy to clean AND lasts forever!!

[@TheOilyLife]

Melt and pour sweats more if you get it too hot when melting down or if you reheat it. Spritzing it with rubbing alcohol helps or if you use the low sweat variety that also helps:)

[@joannehamill8683]

Dehumidifier for the MELT and Pour, works like a charm

[@darcyandrews4649]

Glycerine sweat is a pain. I overcome by using 'low sweat' M & P for decorations, and also by spritzing with rubbing alcohol but you have to be strategic when you spray. Otherwise, I just celebrate the sweat beads and sometimes they can look real pretty!

[@countryblends]

I have been using the Amazon boxes for my handmade soaps . I absolutely love them! I use the cupcake boxes and the ‘pie slice’ boxes for my fall soap cupcakes and pie slices. They look amazing! I love watching your channel. You have taught this ‘old dog’ some new ‘tricks.’ Thanks for all you do!

[@SMELLTHISCANDLE]

Have you shopped at Workshop Heritage? They have such great molds and I really love my log splitter.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll definitely check them out! 😊

[@nirvanaelements]

Just a thought re the soap ball, perhaps you could put them on after the cupcakes have dried for a few days as it may be absorbing the moisture from the frosting. I guess you could glue it on with some more melted mp. Very pretty bombs btw 🎉❤

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Wow! Great suggestion, I’ll try that!

[@chinthanavaratne7161]

Soo beautiful . I like the colours.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thank you so much 😊

[@angelagardener1234]

It's 12.46am in the UK. I really should be asleep but your videos are interesting 😊

[@JerikaZimmerman]

This is such a sweet comment! Hope you have a good sleep after! 😊

[@spottedsparrowgardens9999]

If you remelt melt and pour and allow it to boil over it can do this. I have been making soap abou 3 yrs. And sometimes i think i am good and it does this amyway. If u can barely melt it is the safest way. Dont let it boil over in microwave. ❤

[@sherryzimmerman9220]

The presentation of the Ice Cream Bath-bomb was so soothing……the soup looked delicious……yes yes yes on your hair bath bar…..can’t wait to try the new updated product as I love on your hair bars have worked on my hair in the past…..Fall is my favorite…..

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@rubyseering6978]

I have loved my multi-bar cutter it is a game changer

[@sudsyvibes]

I love Brambleberry’s “water lily” fragrance for my succulent shampoo bars! And, yes, Fall is the best! I’m all about putting on an oversized cardigan and boots while I sip a PSL on the porch with my dog!

[@triciaeugene8451]

Excellent. ❤

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thank you! 🙂

[@m.s.3798]

Dusting with corn starch helps with the sweating

[@CandaceJensen-iq7vx]

How about making that ball on top a. Bath melt instead of melt & pour? I’m going to be doing something similar just a different shape😄

[@shawnreyb]

I just started binging your videos for motivation. I don't have a circle of people to bounce ideas off of so your videos are helpful even though I don't create the same things. I'm curious from a personal standpoint, when you first initially have a thought for a product and are researching recipes, do you create a standard recipe you find and begin selling it and then tweak it as you go along or, do you have the standard recipe and tweak it before creating it to make it your own?

[@michellebammer9711]

An idea for the melt and pour could be low sweat melt and pour. It doesn’t sweat like the regular melt and pour. Just an idea. I’ve seen other makers use it and it works great for them.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thanks for the tip! A few have suggested that here and I will for sure try it!

[@spottedsparrowgardens9999]

Thank you for your videos also. ❤

[@firdowskruger9896]

Thanks Jerika. Always love your videos. Say hi to Caleb from me. Love from Pretoria, South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤️

[@Taylors_ridge_glamping_NC]

I've been wanting to try to mix up a batch of shampoo bars. There are obviously lots of ingredients that will cost a good bit out right. Would you add your GOG's for these types of items? It would be helpful to know. And BTW, you definitely kook well rested. 💜 .... we are in the process of building a glampground in NC.. I'm so excited for this. If you're ever on the east coast, let me know. I'd love to have you.

[@selenacy]

As cute as your bear soap boxes were, I did think they were a lot of work. But as a runner up, I liked your shrink wrapped soaps better than these amazon boxes. I’m constantly changing my mind about my packaging so it’s reassuring seeing your growing processes!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Thanks so much! 😊 it’s such a hard decision to make, but an important one! Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it so much ❤

[@Halloweirdo2013]

The melt and pour supposedly crystallizes if you overheat it, if your melting in the microwave it shouldn't ever get hot enough to boil/bubble. Heat it in 5 to 10 second intervals next time

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Will do! Thank you for the suggestion ❤

[@butterwhiptx]

3 in 1! total genius!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

😊 thanks! I didn’t come up with the concept but it really is a great idea.

[@shellyburridge8817]

Want some soup now!!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Soup is my favourite!

[@user-ev2uh7io3o]

Thank you for your videos! New subscriber here! I started watching your videos as my moment of zen so to speak, so relaxing. What did you have when you very first started? Did you go online with an e-commerce store or did you do an in person event? Knowing what you know now what would you do differently? If this is already posted elsewhere already, my apologies. Please direct me there? Thank you so much!! ❤

[@JerikaZimmerman]

When I first opened, I had an Etsy shop that did 0 sales for 6 months lol. Then I moved to a small town and signed up for the farmers market. I made $35 in sales. I stuck with it and slowly grew a local customer base. Then my Etsy exploded out of nowhere. This was the start of Covid. I started posting on my KZbin channel consistently and started attracting a lot of American customers. I’m Canadian and started my business in Canada. My American husband and I got an opportunity for him to get a job in America and since most of my online customer base is in America, it just made so much sense to move here. So im in America now, trying to get cleared to work here so I can reopen my business 😊

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Knowing what I know now, I’d like to focus on online sales at first and if I grow, try to get into a farmers market in my area.

[@user-ev2uh7io3o]

@@JerikaZimmermanThank you so much for sharing your experience! The wheels are turning in my head and I think I’ve developed a small addiction to watching soap videos 😂 So much to learn! My head is so full of ideas! Ahhhhhh!!!!

[@janetteders1731]

Hope you get the store open before Xmas

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Me too!!! This visa wait is torture 😅

[@carolyncooper9092]

Have you tried the low sweat melt and pour soap, I haven't used it myself but it's worth a try

[@sylindaf4601]

I have used it and it it's also called Like Cold Process Melt & Pour. I use it for all my topper embeds on soaps and ect.

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Not yet! But I’m interested in trying it out - a few people have suggested it 😊

[@shannonpayne3041]

Or put a cigar band around the soaps we love chunky soaps

[@ram1brn]

Here in America selling bath products online is pretty much non existant there are to many sources for people to buy from or just make their own . In person sale are pretty good .But what you enjoyed in Canada with online sales may not happen here. I am speaking of the bath bombs not so much the soap .

[@carolynpalano9284]

I don't know how much you follow online handmade soap companies but Royalty Soaps, walnut Creek Bath Boutique, I Dream In Soap and many many more are extremely successful online businesses, Jerika has a large and growing customer base and should have no problem at all selling online in the US❤

[@sarahgirlsoaps]

In person is where it’s at. My online is repeat from in person markets.

[@SeattleDonna206]

So opinionated and so wrong. I prefer to buy online even from over seas. Narrow minded people!

[@JerikaZimmerman]

When I was open, most of my online customers were American 😊

[@carolynpalano9284]

Welcome to America Jerika, the land of Opinionated people LOL❤

[@kellyquinn1468]

💜💜💜

[@spottedsparrowgardens9999]

Question about psoriasis. Does tea tree help like it does with dandruff? Theres extra skin amd tea tree is healing but is it too harsh for a shampoo bar for someone with psoriasis? I want to make a shampoo bar for a loved one for dandruff but would like to add to my shop for psoriasis. Thanks for your knowledge.

[@susangardner8305]

Jerika please please wear a mask and protect your lungs also I love love your channel 😊

[@cassandrap7152]

That's awesome you let your phone die and just live in the present. I have been taking breaks from mine as well and it's been so relaxing. I know a lot of people making a living off of the internet but what's the point of making a living if you don't take the time to live life? 😁

[@kyraj8670]

How do you know how to calculate your recipes especially when trying new ingredients?

[@JerikaZimmerman]

Most ingredients have a usage range and I start there. If the ingredient has similar properties to another ingredient I’ve already used, I use that as my guide. Lastly, there’s a wealth of info online on ingredients and how to use them in products. It’s just research and experience, really.

[@jessandmax2955]

Spray ball with alcohol

[@rosaa5501]

its 207 bucks...its not that expensive..wow..

[@danaspetrini8338]

Are there shampoo bars out there for dry, itchy and flaking scalp?

[@JerikaZimmerman]

I’m sure there is! I haven’t formulated one yet, though. I’ll add it to my future projects list 😊

[@danaspetrini8338]

@@JerikaZimmerman TYSM!