You could hire someone part time to help with craft shows and doing stuff at the store. It would be another cost but might be worth it if you are able to sell more.
So glad you are sticking with handmade. I am a stickler for staying handmade. I don't have the desire to grow beyond my means. Trying to make a game plan, and really evaluate what products I need to focus on and really highlight is tough.
Yes it’s helpful! I’m many steps behind you, but relate with you so much. Semi retired mental health therapist here making a soap & cosmetics run for it :) In growth phase & learning to scale. You were the 1st one I heard about master batching from (not grammatically correct ha). Thanks for everything & don’t think twice about videos being perfect bc I feel like I’m listening to a girlfriend giving me the scoop on running a business
Etsy is a low priority for me too! I think this year may be tough for shows...I do 40+- a year and think it's time to cut back. I have reached my time ceiling!
It has been such a difficult year this year, as I suddenly had more time on my hands to be able to do more for my small business, but I don't have the space to grow. I currently operate out of home and we've had a family member stay while they've been sick (health issues, cancer, etc) and until they return home our space is extremely limited. Several months I've been wondering if I should just give up, but I do not want to. I cannot financially afford to rent a place to operate and I do not trust placing my stuff into a storage unit or even outside in a shed unless it is climate controlled. I'm excited that it is growing, but at the same time it is frustrating because until I have that space back I cannot do much more than I am. I don't think I've reached the ceiling per say, but it definitely feels like it.
The small business struggles are real. I’m sorry to hear about your situation. Sometimes we have to step away for a little while & that’s ok. If you don’t want to give up then I wouldn’t but maybe just give yourself time & grace
Hi Carmen! Thank you so much for making your videos, i enjoy your authenticity. I have an opportunity to get a retail store. How much inventory do usually have on hand including scents? I make candles and wax melts along with soap and other products, I think options are great if you don’t get over zealous.
That’s awesome news! I’m sure you will love it…I am enjoying having a storefront after doing only craft shows it’s so nice not having to drag product from show to show every week. I still do them but just not ever single week lol. As far as inventory goes, well, that’s going to depend on foot traffic . After 3 years with my store, I still sell out of products so I obviously don’t have it nailed down yet. I just tell myself it’s better to sell out & make more than have products go bad just sitting around.
I live in a small town and probably 80% of the people work out of the county. So by the time you get into town everything is closed by 5pm and it drives me nuts
Hi Carmen! Ha how do you deal with slothful behavior? Sometimes I just don’t want to get things out, then clean it up. I am there with you in making products and then have them sit there and end up putting them on sale? I do need to simplify too.
I am looking for business liability insurance. Would you care to share what company you use? Or if some other Soaper has a recommendation for one that has decent prices? I appreciate your time and all the valuable info you pass on.
brain dumps... IF longer hours is an add to your workload, get something out of it. how about live feeding a half hour a night when youre in the store? I like live feed stuff and if you were going to bang out a soap, anyway, why not do it on live feed? i dont know. youre inspiring in that youre just doing your business and trying to be a pro.
I’ve thought about doing that so many times but then I look around & my “work space” Is not very esthetic, usually a little cluttered and I tell myself.. nobody wants to see all this mess! Lol
@@agirlagoat1193 thing is that we DO want to see all that mess because we have the same thing going on. I am a 2nd year soaper who makes about 20 loaves a year and have people who want to buy all the time. I bet that's the majority of your viewers. See.. the science of soap making is fun and amazing but to proceed with this, we look to you to show us how to juggle the realities of it. Let every other soap video maker do all that fancy shine. Their viewers ar still mesmerized by the magic of it. Your viewers actually love soaping..I'm guessing. So.. I say, cool live stream ideas are.. a soap or 2 a week, organizing a soap closet, shopping online for product and sharing your screen, or things like mixing colors without even soaping just to see how they turn out. Here's what turns me off of video soap teachers - A know it all attitude. Unless you're 80, you do not know it all. Short cut soapers. Quick cure specialists(it simply does not work) Any teacher who encourages short cuts and speed over product quality. My niche is "family natural" so, I take a long time with everything and I see how intentional you are with your business. That's why im here.
You could hire someone part time to help with craft shows and doing stuff at the store. It would be another cost but might be worth it if you are able to sell more.
So glad you are sticking with handmade. I am a stickler for staying handmade. I don't have the desire to grow beyond my means. Trying to make a game plan, and really evaluate what products I need to focus on and really highlight is tough.
Carmen, love your videos. Your knowledge and insight are very helpful to us newbe's TY!!
You could also try open 2 days longer like Thursday and Fridays until 6 to test out your times
Wishing you all the best!!
Yes! Thats a great idea!
Yes it’s helpful! I’m many steps behind you, but relate with you so much. Semi retired mental health therapist here making a soap & cosmetics run for it :) In growth phase & learning to scale. You were the 1st one I heard about master batching from (not grammatically correct ha). Thanks for everything & don’t think twice about videos being perfect bc I feel like I’m listening to a girlfriend giving me the scoop on running a business
You’re so sweet!!!thank you!!! good luck with your business 😉
Etsy is a low priority for me too! I think this year may be tough for shows...I do 40+- a year and think it's time to cut back. I have reached my time ceiling!
Time. Yes!!!! It seems there is never enough
It has been such a difficult year this year, as I suddenly had more time on my hands to be able to do more for my small business, but I don't have the space to grow. I currently operate out of home and we've had a family member stay while they've been sick (health issues, cancer, etc) and until they return home our space is extremely limited. Several months I've been wondering if I should just give up, but I do not want to. I cannot financially afford to rent a place to operate and I do not trust placing my stuff into a storage unit or even outside in a shed unless it is climate controlled. I'm excited that it is growing, but at the same time it is frustrating because until I have that space back I cannot do much more than I am. I don't think I've reached the ceiling per say, but it definitely feels like it.
The small business struggles are real.
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. Sometimes we have to step away for a little while & that’s ok. If you don’t want to give up then I wouldn’t but maybe just give yourself time & grace
Hi Carmen! Thank you so much for making your videos, i enjoy your authenticity. I have an opportunity to get a retail store. How much inventory do usually have on hand including scents? I make candles and wax melts along with soap and other products, I think options are great if you don’t get over zealous.
That’s awesome news! I’m sure you will love it…I am enjoying having a storefront after doing only craft shows it’s so nice not having to drag product from show to show every week. I still do them but just not ever single week lol.
As far as inventory goes, well, that’s going to depend on foot traffic . After 3 years with my store, I still sell out of products so I obviously don’t have it nailed down yet. I just tell myself it’s better to sell out & make more than have products go bad just sitting around.
I live in a small town and probably 80% of the people work out of the county. So by the time you get into town everything is closed by 5pm and it drives me nuts
Hi Carmen! Ha how do you deal with slothful behavior? Sometimes I just don’t want to get things out, then clean it up. I am there with you in making products and then have them sit there and end up putting them on sale? I do need to simplify too.
I’m right there with you. Some days I have to MAKE myself do the things I need to do. Burn out is real & hard!!! 😢
My question is how do you find good craft shows?
I am looking for business liability insurance. Would you care to share what company you use? Or if some other Soaper has a recommendation for one that has decent prices? I appreciate your time and all the valuable info you pass on.
Any advise to someone trying to get a soap business off the ground
brain dumps... IF longer hours is an add to your workload, get something out of it. how about live feeding a half hour a night when youre in the store? I like live feed stuff and if you were going to bang out a soap, anyway, why not do it on live feed? i dont know. youre inspiring in that youre just doing your business and trying to be a pro.
I’ve thought about doing that so many times but then I look around & my “work space” Is not very esthetic, usually a little cluttered and I tell myself.. nobody wants to see all this mess! Lol
@@agirlagoat1193 thing is that we DO want to see all that mess because we have the same thing going on. I am a 2nd year soaper who makes about 20 loaves a year and have people who want to buy all the time. I bet that's the majority of your viewers. See.. the science of soap making is fun and amazing but to proceed with this, we look to you to show us how to juggle the realities of it. Let every other soap video maker do all that fancy shine. Their viewers ar still mesmerized by the magic of it. Your viewers actually love soaping..I'm guessing. So.. I say, cool live stream ideas are.. a soap or 2 a week, organizing a soap closet, shopping online for product and sharing your screen, or things like mixing colors without even soaping just to see how they turn out. Here's what turns me off of video soap teachers -
A know it all attitude. Unless you're 80, you do not know it all.
Short cut soapers.
Quick cure specialists(it simply does not work)
Any teacher who encourages short cuts and speed over product quality. My niche is "family natural" so, I take a long time with everything and I see how intentional you are with your business. That's why im here.
@@jasonstouder thank you for sharing some great ideas!! I will definitely try some