Sunday, December 15, 2013

Oops!


Ok, so now that the holiday soap selling season is over, I am thinking of new ways to keep my soap business thriving. I want to generate enough business to help with family finances. I have never owned a business, so this is all new, and a bit scary to me. I really don't know what to do next (help!). My Etsy shop has not been a big revenue generator. I know that many soap makers do well on Etsy, so maybe I should try to tap into that market. I feel lost in the huge Etsy sea of sellers!

Wholesale accounts would be good too. I am so clueless about how to do all this though! I have been blessed with how well things have been going, and I know that a lot of it is because I have worked very hard to learn my craft and have sought out local bazaars and markets.

So you may be wondering what the "Oops" photo is all about. Well, it is 2-fold. First it represents how I feel currently. "Oops! What do I do now?" I feel so lost and clueless. "Oops" is also a new listing that I have on Etsy for soap that I am selling at a highly discounted rate. This "Oops" soap is great, it just isn't as perfect as I would have liked.

If you have any advice on what steps I should take next to cultivate this small business, I am all ears!
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6 comments:

  1. Anne-MarieDecember 17, 2013 at 4:22 PM

    Ah yes, business can be daunting! I absolutely love the book “The Success Principles by Jack Canfield” and have written a few blog posts on selling your product that you might find helpful: http://www.soapqueen.com/business/do-you-want-to-sell-wholesale-be-prepared/ and http://www.soapqueen.com/business/selling-your-soap-more-wholesale-advice/ With a little bit of planning and small, achievable goals, you definitely can make 2014 the year your business breaks out =)

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    1. Shelly MorrisJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:05 PM

      Thanks Anne Marie. I will read all of your recommendations. This advice is so helpful!

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  2. AnonymousDecember 18, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    I'm in a very similar situation Shelly, so no real advice from me - just wanted to offer some solidarity! I've had no luck on Etsy at all, but have done well locally via word of mouth. I'm taking a (reluctant!) couple of months off now as we're moving to a new area. I'm really excited, but sad to be leaving behind that nice little following I've built up and I'm going to have to start over. Do you have any gift shops locally that you could approach about selling your soaps? That was going to be my next step, and hopefully what I'll do once we're settled in our new home. I was also considering approaching specialist, high-end bathroom stores to see if they would like to use my soaps for display purposes.

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  3. PamJanuary 1, 2014 at 5:15 PM

    Hi Shelly. Have you tried to locate your products in a few high end beauty salons? It is a good venue for bath and body products. I'm not sure of your location but wanted to share this with you.

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    1. Shelly MorrisJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:06 PM

      Thanks Pam! I appreciate the idea. :-) A few local folks have made the same recommendation.

      Delete
    2. Shelly MorrisJanuary 3, 2014 at 7:35 PM

      You are so talented and will do well where ever you go! Good luck on the move!

      Delete

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