After one session of melting, adding, and
pouring to set, I waited not-so-patiently for the end result. Once my
first batch (four bars for the mold tray I had purchased) was set up
(dry) and ready to use (I waited two days before using a bar), I washed
my hands with the soap I made for my child. Melt-and-pour soaps do
not require the length of time that cold process soaps do to “cure” or
dry out before use. A nice, rich lather, along with a clean feeling
satisfied my curiosity for soap making. A bath that night for my little
one resulted in NOT having to apply a lotion to his delicate skin;
babies really don’t need much to clean their skin, nor
do they need lotions or creams to keep the skin moisturized and smooth.
Satisfaction of making a product, both people
and eco-friendly, propelled me into thinking of possibly making my new
project available to others. A close friend, a mother of three
children, asked to sample my soaps; she too, was more than satisfied
with the results and her children loved the chamomile flowers that had
settled on the bottom of the soap bar. Sitting now and thinking back on
these moments, I realized I had answered three questions when getting
started with a small business.
Question One:
What is for sale? What is your talent,
product or service? For me, it started with soap, and with a few
additions (soy candles, fiber based and recycled textile items) and
subtractions (recycled textiles and a temporary hold on fiber based
items), and two years later, I’m finding myself in the midst of bath
and body products containing natural ingredients. Having both an
herbal education (courtesy of
Sage Mountain Herbs in Barre, VT) and a passion for aromatherapy
in my background, making personal care products with essential oils
(for scent) and herbs (for color and texture) feels as natural as
breathing for me.
Question Two:
Who is your target audience? To whom do you
want to offer your product, talent, or service? Are there
particular groups to reach out to or do you feel it’s more widespread?
In the beginning, I felt as if I could reach out to everybody and
anybody. Part of that is true but I found through meetings with a
local program (Vermont Micro
Business Development Program) that narrowing my target to a
particular group is the best way to start. My consumer stared me in
the face every time I looked in the mirror: a mom searching for just
the right products to use on the delicate skin of her newborn child.
I expanded to friends who are moms, my own mother and mother-in-law,
and eventually drawing attention of shopping mothers at the local
farmer’s markets and various craft shows/festivals I’ve attended here
in Northern Vermont. My audience continued to spread out to reach
women of all ages, occupations, and even environmentally conscious men
who wanted a natural product for personal use.
