Hello,

Just popped in to say I am new to this forum and have very initial thoughts on what I would like to make and sell. Bath products really, like soap and whatever else there is (I have no idea of names  )Getting back to nature after a stormy 10 years of businesses, kids and heath worries so I would love to start anew.

There is soooo much info out there concerning this sort of business including safety assessments, packaging/labelling, additives and so on. Where do I start? What would be the simplest, cheapest way for me to get my head round all of this  Any suggestions are incredibly welcome, be it a book or kit.......eek!!!!

I am very excited but daunted all at the same time.

See you around the posts 

helloo and welcome
as for where to start ~ well here a fab place, there loads and loads of info on the boards and in the resources section too
 :buttrf:

Hi and welcome to the forum.  There's lots of info on the main site (look in both resources and community - you are best to login/register there) and well as a plethora around the boards here.  The more you post, the more boards will open up to you    Of course there's loads on the web too.  I would start with finding a simple recipe and getting a few things together to make up that recipe and then just grow from there 

I look forward to chatting more with you around the boards  :buttrf:

Thank you for the welcome, very much appreciated. I think that if I can get all info and answers on this site then I will be very pleased. I have a problem with too much info that is scattered about, my brain cannot cope with it  A one stop soap making shop 

Maybe that is my goal to start, a recipe or two and have a go (sounds good to me) 

Welcome!

I would advise you don't jump in with the thought "business" too quickly - take your time to understand the various ingredients (of which there are many!) and why you might choose one above another for various recipes.  Work on your own recipes, even simple things can take quite a time to perfect.  

If you still love it after all the R&D, then make decisions about your target market, what offering will you make, what your pricing stuctures will be, how will you sell, how will you promote your products, what will make you different from other people offering similar products (of where there are many), will you offer wholesale etc etc etc.. that's just off the top of my head.  

My best advice is don't expect to make a minit anytime soon - R&D will cost time and money but will be worth the investment if your product is different from others but B&B products including soaps are plentiful out there so you need to ensure that your business is giving people something new and different and saleable.  Even if you do, it may not break even for a long time.  Mostly, I think, people do it for the love of it rather than thinking they'll be the next BS - at least for the first few years!

Don't run before you can walk. 

Honey, I ran my own business for 12 years until 2 years ago when it closed. I don't want to repeat the same thing twice as I have completely downsized and gone back to basics. Thinking small and local.

My other 'business' is selling eggs from my new ex battery hens outside the front of the house, a website offering handmade accessories and silver jewellery tuition. I think that the soap 'business' will be pretty much the same too  It will all be about the love of it I think, I love to learn and try new stuff, it's that which keeps me ticking.

Welcome ,everyone here is lovely and will help and support you along the way

Love is great... I believe it's really important to love what you're doing (from someone who works at something every day that isn't in love with it!)

I hated and loved my original business all at the same time, even though it financially looked after me and my family. I suppose the thought of working for someone else after all these years makes me want to start up something small for myself.

Hoping to live 'The Good Life' in my own little way 

Hi Silky - welcome to the boards.

Hi Scott, just been reading about you..... all good, I promise. I see that you do all that Safety stuff with soap/cosmetics. Bit of a minefield eh? How long do the assessments take and how long do they last? Forever with the same recipies, if they change, do you have to have it all done again?

Hello Silky - welcome aboard.

Assessments take 5-10 days usually (Although I think 30 minutes is my record for a Fresholi member!!) - they last forever (or at least they should - don't get me started on that one!) unless your formulation changes - if it does, your assessor might just make small changes free or for a very small charge, depending on the work he/she has to put into it. If you've a completely different product e.g. your SA is for soap and you want to make lip balms  (theoretically, you might have your butters and oils on the soap SA that you want to use in your balms) you would need a separate assessment - SAs cover ingredients AND the finished product.

Hello  :buttrf:

Hello and welcome... :buttrf: