Soap isn’t simply for personal hygiene. It may also serve as the foundation for a successful retail establishment. In reality, handmade soaps and related items have exploded in popularity over the last few years. Etsy and other creative markets have been at the forefront of this expansion.
As a result, Etsy might be a great location to seek ideas before starting a soap-making company. Of course, you’ll need to develop your distinct niche and differentiate your items from those existing on the market. You’ll need to do marketing research, join up on social media, and get the essential licenses and permits in addition to designing a product line. However, looking for general inspiration from other handmade soap producers might be a good place to start.
If you’re ready to transform your soap-making hobby into a profitable company, here are some ideas for small enterprises to get you started.
Etsy’s Soap Businesses
Here are some of the top soap companies to utilize as inspiration for your own.
Rhonda Ramos, Premier Bath & Body Care
Lotions, essential oils, and scrubs are among the bath and body goods available at Premier Bath & Body Care. The handcrafted soaps are available in a wide range of fragrances. She even sells little samplers so that customers may check out several selections and figure out which ones are best for them. This is an excellent example of providing diversity in order to appeal to a broad range of prospective consumers.
Anastasiia Amundsen, Key Lime Pie Milkshake
The bath and cosmetics store Key Lime Pie Milkshake uses natural and ecological products. Shea butter is used in many soaps, and several are composed entirely of vegan ingredients. Plastic-free packaging is also available at the store to appeal to environmentally conscious customers. Other items in the store, such as waste-free toothpaste tabs, echo this message. Consumers nowadays are concerned about sustainability, vegan and cruelty-free products, and natural ingredients. As a result, having your goods stand out in this manner may help you attract more customers.
Stacey Casey, The Suffolk Soap Co.
The Suffolk Soap Co. sells beautifully stunning soap and accessories. Some things are molded into the form of flowers or hearts. Add-ons like dried fruits and flower petals are among the options. Accessories such as wax burners and soap containers are available in the soap industry. Although soap is often thought of as a practical commodity, company managers should not overlook the value of strong graphics. These graphics may attract Etsy buyers’ attention and perhaps make the soap more enticing as a gift.
Sharon Deane, Dandy Soap
Dandy Soap sells various products, including classic bar soap, shampoo, and lotion bars. The company also sells packages, which allow customers to pick from various fragrances and choices. Sample packs are also available for individuals who wish to test a variety of soaps before committing to complete the purchase. Because soap is often made in quantity, this is a great option for shop owners to boost their average order size and use unsold products or ingredients. Those who wish to establish a soap company might consider including listings like these in their business strategy to boost income and give more value to purchasers.
Jesse and Carol Howe, Wild Herb
Wild Herb promotes itself as a healthier alternative to conventional soaps and personal care products. Organic components are used in small business goods. Essential oils, face cleansers, and even hair care are all available. The brand has been around for a long time and has done an extensive research to identify the best combination of chemicals for diverse skin types. Finding your unique soap formula and showcasing your quality offerings over time may be crucial to establishing a long-term soap-producing company like this one.
Sara Mele, 567Crochet
Everyone enjoys a good mystery. 567Crochet is an Etsy business that offers a wide range of products. However, if you limit your search to the soap industry, the owner has some interesting listings from which businesses might learn. One is named “mystery money soap,” It comes with a random amount of money, ranging from $1 to $100, with each purchase. Purchasers are much more likely to get $1 in return. However, this strategy, similar to other contest concepts utilized by companies throughout the years, may make people enthusiastic about purchasing. Sara Mele also sells a “surprise package of soaps,” including six different aromas. This is ideal for unsure individuals, and it may also be a useful tool to keep track of a store’s inventory.
Lisa Sterling, Butters & Black Soap
This firm specializes in African black soap, often created using African components. These soaps are antibacterial and may be used to treat several skin problems, including acne and eczema. Butters & Black Soap is made using unusual soap components such as turmeric and oats. Other unique goods in the store include sea moss and root powder. Because the sort of soap sold in this business is different from most of the other things on Etsy, it is more likely to stand out to individuals looking for this particular item.
DeeDee Glen, Grandma’s Farm
Cold process soap is Grandma’s Farm specialty. Many things are prepared using farm-fresh ingredients such as goat’s milk, lavender, and shea butter in soap recipes. The family atmosphere of this firm helps it stand out from the competition in the beauty industry. Everything about this modest firm, from the name to the soap-making instructions, helps it stand out to clients searching for something simple and family-friendly.
Leeana O’Cain, Love Lee Soaps
Love Lee Soaps product range is distinct from other Etsy stores. Rather than delivering basic bars packed with high-end ingredients, the firm has developed new methods to differentiate apart. The soap-making company, in particular, use silicone molds in a range of forms to manufacture handcrafted soap that resembles several other products. There are broccoli-shaped soaps, cameras, cupcakes, and cereal bowls. This may make for interesting store images and make the ideal of the good for anyone looking for unique gift ideas.
Sarah Cabrera, Naturally Enchanted Soap Works
Cold process soap from Naturally Enchanted Soap Works is created with mostly natural, vegan materials found at farmer’s markets and natural food shops. No two bars are the same because the soaps are handcrafted in tiny amounts. People who love the diversity and one-of-a-kind purchasing character with handcrafted small companies may find this appealing.
Erin Csernica, Mt. Lebanon Soap Company
“We are a handmade soap company wrapped with meaning,” says the header of this soap-producing business store page. Our goal is to help and educate our Down syndrome daughter.” Adding a purpose or goal to a business might help it stand out. Mt. Lebanon Soap Company’s genuine product line includes natural soaps at reasonable pricing. In the reviews, users praise the quality and customer service. Overall, the objective and enjoyable experience may greatly assist small companies in retaining their target market.
Emily Denison-Starcher, Emily’s Soaps
Emily’s Soaps offers a variety of soaps, sprays, and body oils that are all manufactured with natural ingredients. The business also includes some personal touches in the description and the high-quality items and service that consumers rave about in the evaluations. Sellers may interact directly with consumers by providing explanations about local events and life occurrences, as well as social media handles and contact information.
Stacy Thornton, Suds By Stacy and More
Suds by Stacy offers cold-process soap formulations with easy-to-remember scents. Vanilla bean, blue slushy, and raspberry lemonade are a few examples. These possibilities may appeal to purchasers via nostalgia since the aroma is one of the senses most strongly linked to memory. The cold process soap store has many products to pick from. However, these are only a handful of the unique possibilities available from different merchants.
Lorraine Bragg, Blissful Home Goods
Blissful Home Goods is a small company that focuses on upcycled home décor and high-quality soap. Unique forms and smells are great for producing eye-catching pictures and advertising things presented in the soap-making company. Emoji-shaped bars and Valentine’s Day gift boxes, for example. There are also “adoptable” soaps that include a little figure, such as a rubber ducky, ideal for adorable and useful children’s presents.
Stacey Leveque, Jillian Scott Soaps
Both soap and lotion bars are available at Jillian Scott Soaps. The soaps are prepared with hydrating oils and are based on glycerin. They also feature artistic components such as bright bits and swirls that give each object a work of art appearance. These simple aesthetic enhancements may truly help a soap-producing store stand out, especially because people like to buy handmade soap as presents or unique décor items in their bathrooms.
Terra James, Terra Vibes Creations
The soap at the Terra Vibes Creations store stands apart from anything else on Etsy. Handmade soap comes in various shapes and sizes, like meditative French bulldogs, mermaid stories, and even the Fight Club soap. As well as genuine soap, these objects may be utilized as distinctive décor components and party favors.
DeShawn Marie, DeShawn Marie Soap Boutique
DeShawn Marie Soap Boutique sells cold-process soap, bath bombs, and other one-of-a-kind gifts. The soap-making industry has a quirky air about it. The handcrafted soap comes in a variety of colorful colors and patterns. The store also specialized in creating soap in tiny amounts, resulting in one-of-a-kind soap recipes. Finally, the company provides subscriptions, which may help clients have a more consistent sales schedule and more convenient purchasing alternatives.
Keitha Cloudt, Keitha’s Artful Garden
Keitha’s Artful Garden combines natural beauty with the craft of soap production. The business also sells oils, lotion sticks, lip balms, and face masks in addition to soap. Dried flowers and other natural components are included in several of the soaps. These may appeal to individuals seeking natural beauty and personal care products. Of course, many stores cater to this particular market. As a result, it’s up to each business owner to develop their soap formula and develop unique methods to differentiate their product or procedure.
Rolanda Tarble, Atlantic Winds Soaps
Atlantic Winds Soaps is a soap store that creates aesthetically appealing things using organic and environmentally produced components. Soap in coffee, milkshakes, and iced tea may be made at the establishment. The range of tastes goes well with the distinct style. The team also works with merchants that may wish to stock their unique bars and gives wholesale listings to improve order size.
Tiggy Fiander, Future Primitive
Future Primitive is a cold process soap company inspired by the English countryside. On Etsy, the business only offers a few major goods and sells additional items elsewhere. After establishing a stable client base, this may be a popular method for soap-making firms to operate. Aside from real soap, the company also sells cold-process soap production recipes to assist other budding companies and amateurs. This is a specialized market. However, it enables the business to offer digital items, which are simpler to deliver and sell in bulk.
To learn more about selling on Etsy, read: How to Start an Etsy Shop
Image: Depositphotos.com
This article, “20 Soap Businesses will Show You How to Clean Up on Etsy” was first published on Small Business Trends