Creating Products
Making products for any business is hard. A lot of planning has to go into them and then a lot of work and sometimes it doesn't end there. When I create graphs for knitting or crocheting, I have to think of what I want and plan it out. Then I have to create it and make sure it looks good. Once that is done I have to either crochet it myself or test someone to test it out. The same goes for most things I made here for Creative Arts. With recipes, I have to think of them, make them and test them. And I like to make it for a lot of people to get a sense of what I should change or what other people think before publishing it.
With bath and body, things are a little different. Along with all this, you have to test it yourself, and only once you are sure it is safe and a quality product can you even think about selling it. You also have to register with the government to be able to sell these items and you have to fill out forms about what is included in the products. Then you have to worry about the packaging. In Canada, and in other countries, you need to label your products according to Government standards. For us in Canada, we have to list all the ingredients by the percentage of the amount that is in the product (including scents and colorants when applicable). We also have to write what the product is in both French and English. This can all be a challenge and a lot of work.
One of the biggest challenges though when starting a business is, of course, money. It is natural to want to make everything in all kinds of shapes and scents and colours. But that isn't practical. My goal is to make products. To get recipes that I can count on and that people love. Once I have the recipes I can make them in any scent, colour, shape, size I want. A savior to small businesses is pre-orders. Once you have recipes you can count on the world is your oyster. And you can offer all the scents you can get your hands on. The great thing about pre-order is that you can make your products to order. That way you know you aren't wasting money or product for nothing and you know it will sell. Once you establish a demand than you can focus on making everything under the sun!!
Another great tip is to make what you love. Especially at the beginning of your business. Make things you are going to us, make scents you enjoy. Chances are you are going to have to use or keep some of your products and that's okay. And it is also a comfort at times. Make whatever you want and be comforted by the thought that even if you don't sell it at least you love it, at least you will get use out of it. You may get stuck with 50 lip balms, but at least you will love them and use them up and that really isn't a waste. Also, Dollar Stores are your friends. You don't need expensive containers or bags, just get them at the Dollar Store to start (you may want to get something to seal jars for a more professional look). Even ingredients can be bought at the Dollar Store (Sugar, Salt, Coffee grinds, things that won't affect the quality of your product).
So here is a sneak peek of all the products I am testing at the moment! You can look forward to seeing Sugar and Salt Scrubs (tester size, small, medium and larger), Perfume (small and large in the tin or in a stick), Lotion and Massage Bars, Wax Melts and Candles! Feel free to message us about pre-ordering these products and to find out what scents we have available!
