What I Would Have Done Differently Starting My Soap Business, Things That Worked & Things I Regret

A super chatty video about things I wish I did differently and things I would 100% do again if starting over. This is a space where other makers can come to relate to the struggles of being a business owner and knowing others out there feel the same. Even though most of us work alone we don't have to feel alone (Yes I cringed while typing, but it's true).
Magnetic boxes
gold amzn.to/3WpBjRn
blue amzn.to/3UGOvjv
green amzn.to/3UmlzMt
White Boxes amzn.to/4biAzSd
Green Ribbon amzn.to/3UqtYON
ITEMS USED FOR SOAP MAKING:
8 qt container amzn.to/3HU4hQF
mini digital scale amzn.to/3IkWA7h
scale amzn.to/3xkAVGb
lye amzn.to/3RY56w9
gloves amzn.to/3E6nPjH
Respirator amzn.to/3XIqya5
Blender amzn.to/42739lY
Cheaper blender to start that I liked amzn.to/3Tf9wzB
Brambleberry 5 lb molds wood portion www.brambleber....
silicone portion www.brambleber....
Molds I started with (same bar size as 5 lb mold above) amzn.to/42dDxUG
Soap Cutter is from workshop heritage (only offers plastic now)
BOOKS TO GRAB
soap & cosmetic labeling book amzn.to/3Il9UIU
Simple & Natural Soapmaking amzn.to/3jOwtMR
The big book of homemade products amzn.to/3Xxgctg
101 east homemade products amzn.to/3YRmftX
Pure soap making amzn.to/3lzRlI7
Liquid soap making amzn.to/3jWHnQs
Current Planner amzn.to/3O3UStN
PACKAGING
label ledge amzn.to/3Il9UIU
paper cutter amzn.to/3RURCBk
impulse sealer amzn.to/3IvjsRX
plastic test tubes amzn.to/3Xo2PeR
2oz sampler containers amzn.to/3HVHyDS
4oz glass bottles with dropper amzn.to/3I0VtbP
mini gift set boxes amzn.to/3HRRRZs
large bags for markets amzn.to/3K4mr4I
kraft crinkle for gift boxes amzn.to/3YOdkJK
9x6x3 boxes amzn.to/426A60U
9x6x3 boxes amzn.to/3jZFd2v
5ml sampler containers amzn.to/3E4ueLY
2oz metal tins amzn.to/3RY0GWj
kraft paper stand up bags amzn.to/3RVJ39r
Raffia Ribbon amzn.to/3Lpf9Jw
MARKET SETUP
3 Tier shelf stand amzn.to/3Ll84d9
3 tier collapsible stand amzn.to/4799xKB
Gray carrying stackable totes www.target.com....
6 ft folding table with handle amzn.to/3ywVlwl
4 ft folding table adjustable height amzn.to/3JECOVi
double decker wagon www.walmart.co....
Quest 10x10 Tent www.dickssport....
EZ up 10x10 Tent amzn.to/3TprcbN
Weights amzn.to/42gkJ6S
Money box amzn.to/3yHmHzG
Hanging Light for tent amzn.to/3liRC2n
FURNITURE
Comfy office chair amzn.to/3Xn0ZLq
Full baking trays amzn.to/3lrp3iN
half rack amzn.to/3K1B6Of
Getting Your Business Started
Started Square squareup.com/t....
Shopify shopify.pxf.io/nLkZOR
**Links above may be affiliate links
Website for bath and beauty products www.spoilyours...
Follow me IG @spoil_yourself_natural_soaps
FB @spoilyourselfnatural
Email [e-mail]

[@michellecelesteNW]

I started with Etsy too but now primarily do farmers markets. It's so nice to meet people and get to know what they are actually looking for - it's helped immensely! Labels, labels, labels. They are always changing. Oh m gee. So many little details and design changes.

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

Markets are really so fun once you get used to them. And your 1000% right about lables. Do you still do Etsy? If so what are tour thoughts about the platform now?

[@michellecelesteNW]

@@SpoilYourselfNatural I still have an Etsy just for exposure and for new people to see my reviews but I list on the banner to please go directly to my website. I hate the fees there and the corruption that's taken place with the new advertisement model. I'm primarily using Shopify which I'm not sure that I would totally recommend due to some slow issues but it's safety and appearance is better than some cheaper sites I've tried. My current annoyance is trying to navigate shipping to be less expensive because even though customers are paying a portion, I'm paying a portion too! Why?! I don't know.

[@pamwayman1944]

I have soap maker 3 and I love it! I haven’t had the time or website do about intergrading websites. Had a lot of family troubles. I need to get back to doing more.

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

Thanks for the reply. That makes me feel assured it's going to be helpful. I'm sorry to hear. I wish you and the family the best!

[@pamwayman1944]

Thank you

[@TanjilaBeauCreativity]

Loved this honest and insightful video! Your tips on starting a soap business and sharing what worked and what you’d do differently are incredibly valuable. Thanks for helping fellow entrepreneurs! 🌟 #SoapBusiness #EntrepreneurTips #Inspiration

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

Happy it gave you some ideas. Best of luck on your endeavor!

[@tanianieves2673]

Thank you so much for this sincere advice. Really need to hearing this. I’m trying to launch but I think it is to less or too much ??? Etc and it’s overwhelming. this video it’s an answer to my prayers .

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

Best of luck!!

[@triplegoddesssoapery]

I love Soapmaker 3 and wouldn't be without it. If someday they expanded it to be a full service bookkeeping software with website integration I'd be their spokesperson for life 😂. I'm an accountant by day, and I keep track of all sales and finished inventory on my website, all my formulas, raw materials, and cost of sales on SM 3, and then do my full bookkeeping on sage 50. It's annoying but going into year 3, I've worked out the kinks without too much duplication.

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

That definitely would be amazing! You would be so upset with how unorganized I am with bookkeeping 😆. Let's just say there's a basket and nothing is inputted in a timely manner. Teach me your ways!

[@triplegoddesssoapery]

@@SpoilYourselfNatural my only advice is either do your bookkeeping little and often, OR just pay someone local to do it for you. It's worth paying someone if you hate the task then you can focus on what you do love. Also, when organizing your expenses, sort by category, not by month, bookkeepers and accountants HATE that lol.

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

@@triplegoddesssoapery I hire someone for taxes but do my monthy by myself. I do my monthly and my spec so I guess I'm not completely failing. Once I'm able to I'm totally going to pay someone to take them over!!

[@triplegoddesssoapery]

@@SpoilYourselfNatural Sounds like you're doing ok! 💜

[@BeechHillSoap]

Great advice! I feel I have done everything backwards. I’m still learning a lot after 20 years. I’m looking for a good starter shampoo bar, any good shampoo bar recipes to purchase you like?

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

Right?! Always learning and figuring out how to move forward. I created my own recipe for shampoo bars. I know there's one on Etsy alot of people bought and love. I don't know the name off hand but I think it's Saponification Nation if you look it up.

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

There's also a few recipes on Humble Bee & Me

[@BeechHillSoap]

@@SpoilYourselfNatural maybe DIY shampoo bar on Etsy?

[@SpoilYourselfNatural]

@@BeechHillSoap yes DIY is what a bunch of makers recommended. I just heard Sarah from Sarah girl soaps said she bought a recipe and loves it in your latest video. I think she even links the listing.

[@BeechHillSoap]

@@SpoilYourselfNatural yes I saw that, and I watch Jerika Zimmerman, she mentioned she used this on too.