About Terry Knorr Expertise I can answer most questions concerning the making of handmade soaps. Those which I cannot answer, I am willing to research for you.
Experience Began making and selling handmade soaps under the name of Earth Soaps in 1994. Have since expanded under the name Good Earth Herbs to 24 different soaps. We do both retail and wholesale business. I also teach two different classes on soapmaking: a basic class and an advanced class.
Expert: Terry Knorr Date: 11/14/2006 Subject: soap making business
Question I have started making my own soaps as a hobby, I have even learned through the Internet how to make my own soap base to save money on buying it from a hobby store. I was wandering what it would take to start a business doing this as an extra income. I enjoy making soap, I find it very relaxing and rewarding when my products turn out the way I want them to. I just really don't know how to get started letting everyone else enjoy my product. I have given them to family members and they loved them and have asked for more. I think this would be a very rewarding career for me if I could figure out how to get started.
Thank you
Kim
Answer Hi Kim!
There are a many ways to get started. Choosing the "right" way is a matter of understanding your market and being creative and even a little daring.
To help you on the right path, I'd recommend contacting your local chamber of commerce. These are people with a considerable amount of business experiance and are there to help you succeed.
You might also want to look into the handcrafted soapmaker's guild. If you do a search for them on the internet, you should have no trouble finding them.
I would also suggest that you consider buying The Soapmaker's Companion by Susan Miller Cavitch. It is published by Storey Publishing and is an excellent book.
I hope I've been some help to you. If I can help further, feel free to contact me again.
