Are you looking to stay home with your family as a work at home mom, but still need to make some extra income?  Have you considered making soap?  It is possible to make soap at home and make a profit, but you have to remember that customers are looking for something unique.  They will expect you to provide a variety of soaps. This includes soaps of different scents, shapes, and sizes.  Also remember that all soap making businesses don’t cater to clients that have special needs.  Think about making soaps that are hypoallergenic and made with goat’s milk or other natural resources such as oatmeal.  If you offer clients unique soaps that they can’t find anywhere else, chances are your business will be a success!

If you know someone that is already making soap, by all means, ask him or her if you can apprentice for a while to learn the trade.  You will need to know the basics of soap making, but you also need a touch of artistry about you to be able to make a unique and beautiful product that people will want to purchase.  As you continue making the soap, you will understand the materials better and learn exactly what you can do with them.

As with any business, in order to start your own soap making business you will need the basics, such as a contact phone number and a computer with an Internet connection. If you plan to see your soap locally, you can make your own business cards.  While it is not necessary to have a web page (you can sell your soap on auctions sites such as eBay), it will be very beneficial to your business if you can have a web page set up.  It will allow anyone to see your products and pricing easily.

A fragrance library is very important.  You will want to build one up of the fragrances you wish to use in your soaps.  For different shapes and sizes, you will need soap molds.  Every type of soap will have its own special ingredients, which you will need to purchase as well.
Before you begin your business, you want to make sure you are legal.  Check with any local offices to see what you need to do to sell skin care products (such as obtain a business license) if anything.  Once all that is taken care of, you will want to get a web site developed.  You may even want to take a class on web design at a local community college.  While you may not develop the page initially, you want to keep it very up-to-date, so it will be helpful if you can make changes or add new things yourself.

Next, you need to think about marketing.  Search the Internet for forums or message boards that can get the word out about your soap.  Be sure to add a link in your signature that takes people back to your web page.  Another way you can drum up business is to give free gifts to friends and family during holidays such as Christmas, birthdays, and Valentine’s Day.  You can also offer a monthly drawing on your web page to receive a free gift.  Be sure to check out local craft fairs and bazaars.  Those are great, inexpensive places to set up a table displaying your soaps.  Be sure to have business cards or flyers on hand with all your contact information on it, including your web page address.

To help you, try making a business plan.  It doesn’t have to be anything formal, but write your goals in a notebook and keep track of how much you spend and what your profits are.  By keeping track of your progress, you can see how your business is doing.

Getting a new business up and running may take some time and hard work, but be sure to reward yourself occasionally for all your hard work.  Keep a positive attitude and hang in there during the rough times.  Just remember, the success of the business depends on you!