How do I start a bath and body business?

[Kim Corbell]

I am wanting to start a bath and body business. To sell bath bombs, bath salts, lip balm, etc online on a website like etsy and then also have a booth at bazaars and things of that sort. Where do I start? Do I need a special license or tax-ID? How do I find out about quarterly taxes, shipping costs, good pricing, etc?

[henry]

1.1
Decide what types of products to create. Choose from bar soap, liquid soap, bubble bath, aftershave, aromatherapy, candles, toner, conditioner, shampoo, lotions and bath salts.

2.2
Learn the properties of various soaps, essential oils and fragrances. Essential oils can be used to make bath and beauty products such as soaps, shampoos, bubble baths, perfumes, cosmetics and incense. Look for their soothing or healing properties and whether there is a high risk of causing an allergic reaction. Visit Aromaweb.com for detailed information on aromatic ingredients and how to select and care for essential oils. Find recipes on making bath salts, cologne, body powder, toner, conditioner, shampoo, mouthwash and perfume. Visit Colebrothers.com for extensive information on how to select ingredients for making your own bar and liquid soap. Find free recipes for making bath salts, facials, shampoo, conditioner, rinses, lip balms, lotions and creams at Soapcrafters.com (see Resources).

3.3
Select essential oils, soap bases, molds and fragrances for your products. Purchase cellophane, fragrance bottles, caps, sachets, pumps, soap boxes and other packaging supplies. Purchase safety goggles, rubber gloves, a scale, thermometer, beakers or measuring cups, ladles, spoons, rubber spatulas, large spoons, measuring spoons and a large bowl.

4.4
Experiment in your home making bubble bath, cosmetics, bath salts, perfume, lotions and soap.

5.5
Familiarize yourself with the Federal Drug Administration's (FDA) regulations on food, drug and cosmetics (see Resources). How you market your products will determine whether they are labeled a drug, cosmetic or soap. For example, if your soap claims to revitalize cells, it is considered a drug. Be sure you thoroughly understand the regulations prior to designing, labeling and marketing your products.

6.6
Label your products. Create your designs using free software programs like Paint and Gimp. Then visit Worldlabel.com for help on creating the perfect labels for your products.

7.7
Sell your products on websites Etsy.com and Dawanda.com. Visit craft shows, trade shows, fairs and farmer's markets to sell your goods. Join a social networking site such as Indiebeauty.com to remain current on industry news, purchase wholesale supplies and network with like minds. Send samples to retailers.

[mamaslittlemonkeys]

There is a great book called " The Soap Makers Companion". Also, goplanetearth.com and soapylove.com are highly respected soapers who help teach the soap community.

You mostly need to check with YOUR local area and see their rules, because everyone is different. Try your states government pages or website.

Once you're legit its easier to buy in wholesale bulk without taxes. I do like these sites:
Peak Candle Company
Brambleberry.com
GoPlanetEarth.com

One major detail is to get LLC or some sort of insurance. Handmade Bath and Body is a much riskier handmade art than sewing, photography, etc. You are risking everything if you sell a lip balm with too much oil or fragrance and you make someone ill!

The SoapMakers Guild is a great resource for that and they offer guild insurance for such things. They are the best resource I can think of http://www.soapguild.org/

Best of luck!
~~Amy