If you follow my Facebook page, you know that I am closing my soaping business (Merry Sherry’s Small Batch Soaps) at the end of 2019. I’ve been making soap since I was a little kid and created Merry Sherry’s Small Batch Soaps a few years ago. While I’ve enjoyed it, soaping today is a very difficult business in which to break even – let alone make a profit. And as much as I enjoy the process, the reality is that there are simply too many soapers in the area in which I want to sell my soaps. I was at a point where I needed to decide to go into a full-scale production-type soaping business – or give it up as a business.
Many people are unaware that soapers must purchase liability insurance – which doesn’t come cheap. In addition, small-batch soapers are not just competing against other small-batch soapers. We are also (increasingly) competing against people who are actually importing soap that they simply package with their own branding. It is virtually impossible to make handmade soap, package it, and sell it through the various available shows and other venues at a competitive price compared to these vendors.
I had my last soap show this past week and now I am in the process of cataloging what equipment and supplies remain so that I can sell these off.
To the customers who supported my little venture – many thanks! I’m sad to see the soaping go – but I am very excited about the new things I’ll be focusing on in 2020. Another post on its way. Merry Christmas and if you know someone who wants to try soaping and is looking for equipment, please have them visit this page and also my Facebook page!