Is a soap making business worthwhile?

1. 66

   american13posted 12 years ago

   Is a soap making business worthwhile?
   
   Im thinking about starting one along with other ways of making income

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2. 73

   SidKempposted 12 years ago

   It's a challenging one. I'm a business consultant, and one of my clients was a soap manufacturer with a boutique store. They went out of business.
   
   Go to a Whole Foods and count the number of boutique soap brands you will be competing with. Those are all established businesses with reasonably high volume. How will you complete on price and quality. What is your unique selling proposition?
   
   If you really love the idea and have something unique to offer, please read my hubs on starting your own business and marketing your own business. If you're still up for it, give me a holler, and I'll try to help.

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   1. 66

      american13posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your timely response and good advice, SidKemp! Ill be sure to do what you recommended. At this point, it's more of an idea. It's one of the ideas I have as far as owning a small business whether it's home based or not.

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   2. 73

      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you have a passion, go for it. If you don't, go for the one that is most likely to succeed. I'm sure my hubs and books will help.

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   3. 66

      viveresperandoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Going to have to check out your business hubs.

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   4. 73

      SidKempposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Enjoy, Viveresperando - I love to see people learning!

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3. 67

   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   I don't know about soap in particular. I personally make herbal products and sell them. I make lotions and salves and tinctures and blend teas and the like. It's difficult, but you get what you put into it. If you're out there promoting it every day, you'll make some money off it.

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4. 67

   Rod Marsdenposted 12 years ago

   Yes. It has been successful in the past, it is successful right now so it will probably be successful in the future. It depends on the quality of the product and how you plan on selling the soap.

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5. 65

   lupineposted 12 years ago

   Yes, there are already lot's of soaps out there to compete with. However, if you have a particular and unique type of soap you will make, it could very well work out for you. Possibly, make with organic products, essential oils, etc, these are things people are looking for now. Everyone needs soap. Locally, I have seen a soapmaker in a 'farmer's market' in my city, and he was there for about 6 months, no longer there. He also made small sample soaps he handed out to try. Good luck in any business you choose.

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6. 68

   indingposted 12 years ago

   I think it is worthwhile... and just like with most products, if you make them high-quality and appealing and you market them appropriately, they should get sold. Good luck!

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7. 61

   DubstepMakerposted 12 years ago

   I don't know, do you think a soap making business is worth it for "Dove" or "irish spring" ? obviously there is a massive market for soap. Everyone needs it, and they buy it regularly. how you market your brand though will be a big determining factor on whether or not it is worth your while. good luck bro.

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