Are you considering starting your own soap business but not sure where to begin? If so, read this article to know the steps you need to follow to start a profitable soap-making business with little money.
Soap-making is a rewarding and potentially lucrative venture. It allows you to unleash your creativity while providing essential products to customers. If you are passionate about natural ingredients, unique fragrances, or eco-friendly packaging, there is ample opportunity to carve out your niche in the soap market.
To most people, especially women, handmade soap making is a creative hobby. One can turn this hobby into a successful business venture by investing in small money. In addition to this, this business can also be started at home. The demand for handmade soaps is increasing because more people are scared of using commercial soaps that contain toxic chemicals.
The demand is expected to grow in the coming years. According to a report by Natural Foods Merchandiser (NFM), sales of the natural body care product industry grew by 11% globally. Customers are buying handmade natural soap in record numbers. Hence, if you looking forward to starting a business with little money from home, soap making is worthy to be a consideration.
Here below, we list the basic steps you must follow if you are serious about making money making soaps for existing soap artisans or even for a newbie.
13 Steps to Start Soap Business
1. Do Market Research
The first thing one must consider while starting a small business is the demand for the selected product in the local community and the buying behavior of the local people. Conducting market research to collect relevant information regarding the demand and supply status locally is a must.
Soap is a fast-moving consumer product. It is one of the most dynamic products in the FMCG industry. Hence, you need to be always in touch with the tastes and demands of buyers.
A study from IMARC Group predicts the North American market to reach US$ 5.9 Billion by 2027. The soap industry in the USA alone generates more than $25 billion in revenues annually.
There are more than 630 companies big and small that operate in the United States at present.
2. Learn About Various Types of Soaps
When starting a soap business, you have the flexibility to create various types of soaps to cater to different preferences and market demands. Here are some popular types of soaps that you can consider making:
⇒ Cold Process Soap
This traditional method involves mixing oils and lye solution to initiate saponification, resulting in a creamy and luxurious bar of soap. Cold process soaps allow for endless customization with different oils, colors, fragrances, and additives.
⇒ Hot Process Soap
Similar to cold-process soap, hot-process soap involves cooking the soap mixture to accelerate saponification. This method produces a rustic and textured bar of soap with a shorter curing time compared to cold-process soap.
⇒ Melt and Pour Soap
This beginner-friendly method involves melting a pre-made soap base, adding colorants, fragrances, and other additives, and then pouring the mixture into molds to solidify. Melt-and-pour soap allows for quick and easy customization with endless creative possibilities.
⇒ Transparent Glycerin Soap
Made from a glycerin base, transparent glycerin soap is crystal clear and often contains added glycerin for extra moisturizing properties. This type of soap is ideal for embedding objects or creating intricate designs.
⇒ Oatmeal Soap
Oatmeal soap is infused with finely ground oats, which provide gentle exfoliation and soothing properties for sensitive or irritated skin. Oatmeal soap is popular for its natural exfoliating and moisturizing benefits.
⇒ Goat Milk Soap
Goat milk soap is made with goat milk instead of water, which adds creaminess and extra nourishing properties to the soap. Goat milk soap is known for its gentle cleansing and moisturizing properties, making it suitable for all skin types.
⇒ Herbal Soap
Herbal soaps are infused with dried herbs, botanical extracts, and essential oils to provide additional therapeutic benefits for the skin. Popular herbal ingredients include lavender, chamomile, calendula, and peppermint.
⇒ Activated Charcoal Soap
Activated charcoal soap is formulated with activated charcoal powder, which helps draw out impurities and toxins from the skin, making it ideal for deep cleansing and detoxifying purposes.
⇒ Shampoo Bar
Shampoo bars are specially formulated to cleanse and nourish the hair and scalp without stripping away natural oils. These bars often contain ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and essential oils for added hair care benefits.
⇒ Facial Soap
Facial soaps are formulated with gentle and non-comedogenic ingredients specifically designed for the delicate skin on the face. These soaps often contain ingredients like kaolin clay, tea tree oil, and botanical extracts to address specific skin concerns such as acne, dryness, or aging.
Read: How to Start a Liquid Soap Making Business
3. Define Your Niche
There are broadly three categories of home-based soap business you can focus on. Select the one that fits with the local demand and your passion:
- Natural Ingredients: Emphasize natural and organic ingredients to cater to eco-conscious consumers seeking chemical-free alternatives.
- Artisanal Craftsmanship: Highlight your craftsmanship and unique artistic flair to appeal to customers looking for handcrafted, artisanal soap products.
- Specialty Soaps: Consider specializing in niche segments such as vegan soaps, luxury spa soaps, or allergen-free formulations to differentiate your brand.
4. Create a Business Plan
A business plan, though ignored by most beginners, is extremely critical to starting and running a business venture. That holds for soap-making too. Check this guide on how to write a business plan or you can take help from business plan software tools to create your business plan for your soap-making company.
5. Select the Name of your Soap Company
Take some time off and brainstorm with different names that can perfectly fit your theme of soap products. One thing not to forget is to check whether there is a similar domain is available or not. Check this guide and learn more about the different steps to follow in naming your soap business.
6. Register Your Business
Every state and country offers different types of business formation structures. If you are a beginner with a low budget, start as a proprietorship entity. However. if you are starting on a larger scale and looking for certain benefits, talk to professionals and then decide which one will be the best suited for you.
For example, if you are from the United States, forming an LLC will provide you with extra benefits at some extra cost.
7. Licenses and Permits
Talk to your local concerned authority and understand the licenses and permits needed to obtain to start and run a soap-making business. Trademark is another thing you might be interested to have if you want to protect your brand.
Associations like The Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild offer members an insurance program for soap makers in the United States and Canada.
8. Procure Equipment and Supplies
When starting a soap-making business, it’s essential to have the right equipment and supplies to ensure smooth and efficient production. Here’s a list of equipment and supplies you’ll need to make soaps:
Mixing Bowls or Pitchers: Large mixing bowls or pitchers are necessary for combining your soap ingredients.
a) Stainless Steel Pot or Crockpot
A stainless steel pot or crockpot is used for melting oils and heating lye solution for the soap-making process.
b) Digital Scale
A digital scale is crucial for accurately measuring your soap ingredients, including oils, lye, and additives.
c) Thermometer
A thermometer is used to monitor the temperature of your oils and lye solution to ensure they’re within the recommended range for soap making.
d) Stick Blender
A stick blender, also known as an immersion blender, is used to emulsify the oils and lye solution to initiate saponification quickly.
e) Soap Molds
Soap molds come in various shapes and sizes and are used to pour your soap mixture into to solidify and take shape. Silicone molds are popular for their flexibility and ease of use.
f) Safety Gear
Safety gear including goggles, gloves, and a long-sleeved shirt and pants should be worn when handling lye due to its caustic nature.
g) Protective Gear
Apron and closed-toe shoes to protect your clothing and feet from spills and splashes.
h) Measuring Spoons and Cups
Measuring spoons and cups are used to accurately measure smaller quantities of ingredients like fragrances and colorants.
i) Stirring Utensils
Wooden or silicone stirring utensils are used to mix and stir your soap ingredients.
j) Pipettes or Droppers
Pipettes or droppers help add precise amounts of essential oils or fragrance oils to your soap mixture.
k) Rubber Spatulas
Rubber spatulas are useful for scraping down the sides of your mixing bowls or pitchers to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
l) Soap Cutter
A soap cutter is used to cut your soap bars into uniform sizes once they have hardened.
m) Packaging Materials
Packaging materials such as soap boxes, labels, and shrink wrap are needed to package and label your finished soap bars.
n) Ingredients
Essential soap-making ingredients include oils (such as olive oil, coconut oil, and palm oil), lye (sodium hydroxide), water, fragrances or essential oils, colorants, and additives (such as exfoliants or moisturizers).
These are some of the essential equipment and supplies you’ll need to start making soap. Depending on your specific soap-making process and recipes, you may require additional tools and materials to meet your production needs.
Read: Top Small-Scale Manufacturing Business Ideas
9. Setup Soap Making Workplace
You need to ensure space however small it is mainly for three categories of work. One is the administrative work, the second is the space for making soaps, and the third is the storage space. If you are making soaps from home, your kitchen will do the purpose.
10. Promote Your Soap Products
Brand Identity: Develop a strong brand identity, including a memorable brand name, logo, and visual aesthetics that resonate with your target audience. Establish an online presence through a professional website, social media platforms, and e-commerce channels to showcase your products and engage with customers.
11. Sales and Distribution
Explore various retail channels, including online marketplaces, specialty stores, farmers’ markets, and craft fairs, to reach your target market. Also, consider partnering with retailers or distributors to expand your reach and distribution network for bulk sales.
12. Customer Engagement and Feedback
Provide exceptional customer service and build strong relationships with your customers to foster loyalty and repeat business. Solicit feedback from customers to continuously improve your products and services based on their preferences and needs.
13. Scaling and Growth
Explore opportunities for product diversification, such as expanding your product line to include complementary items like bath bombs, lotions, or candles. Invest in equipment upgrades and operational efficiencies to scale your production capacity and meet increasing demand as your business grows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of starting a soap business?
The startup costs for a soap business can vary depending on various factors. It includes the scale of production, equipment and supplies needed, marketing expenses, and business registration fees. A small-scale soap business can be started with a few hundred dollars, while larger operations may require several thousand dollars or more.
Is it legal to sell handmade soap?
Yes, it is legal to sell handmade soap in most countries, including the United States and India. However, regulations regarding labeling, ingredient disclosure, and manufacturing practices may vary by region. It’s essential to research and comply with local laws and regulations governing soap production and sales.
Do I need certification to sell handmade soap?
Certification requirements for selling handmade soap depend on your location and the specific ingredients used in your products. In some cases, certification may be required for organic or natural claims. It’s advisable to check with local regulatory authorities or industry associations for guidance on certification requirements.
Where can I sell handmade soap?
Handmade soap can be sold through various channels, including online marketplaces (such as Etsy, Amazon, or your e-commerce website), local craft fairs or markets, specialty boutiques, consignment shops, and social media platforms. It’s essential to research and choose sales channels that align with your target market and business goals.
Are there any safety considerations when making soap?
Yes, safety is essential when making soap, particularly when handling lye (sodium hydroxide), which is a caustic substance. It’s crucial to follow safety precautions such as wearing protective gear (gloves, goggles, and long sleeves), working in a well-ventilated area, and carefully measuring and mixing ingredients according to established recipes and procedures.
How can I market my soap business?
Marketing strategies for a soap business may include creating a visually appealing brand identity, leveraging social media platforms to showcase products and engage with customers, participating in local events or markets, offering promotions or discounts, collaborating with influencers or bloggers, and building an online presence through a website or blog.
What are the best practices for packaging handmade soap?
When packaging handmade soap, it’s essential to choose packaging materials that protect the product from moisture and external contaminants while also reflecting your brand aesthetic. Consider options such as eco-friendly or biodegradable packaging, custom labels with ingredient information and branding elements, and protective measures to prevent damage during shipping.
How can I expand my soap business beyond local sales?
To expand your soap business beyond local sales, consider exploring online sales channels, partnering with retailers or distributors, attending trade shows or industry events, offering wholesale or private label opportunities, and expanding your product line to cater to different customer segments or market niches.
What are some common challenges faced by soap businesses?
Common challenges faced by soap businesses may include sourcing high-quality ingredients at affordable prices, managing inventory and production costs, staying competitive in a crowded market, navigating regulatory compliance and labeling requirements, and effectively marketing products to target customers. It’s essential to stay adaptable and continually assess and adjust your business strategies to address these challenges effectively.
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.