Introduction
Starting a business isn't that easy. Frankly speaking, it entails a lot. Just like I spoke about in How To Avoid Debt When Starting a New Business or Side Hustle. Today, the topic is centered on How to Start and Grow a Liquid Soap and Detergent Business. The other day, we looked at How to Start a Street Food Business With Just $100.
But just before we talk about what we have on our table, I want to ask you, have you ever looked at a supermarket shelf and wondered, how people turn simple soap into a befitting business? Here is the real deal, okay, my mother was in the business of making liquid soap and detergent. Launching a liquid soap and detergent venture is not rocket science: something that becomes successful in a day. You will need some strategies, a focus and you must be creative. So then, what must I do? If you may be asking. Let's do away with the lecturing and break it down real quick.
Understand the Market Before Mixing Chemicals
Every good business, as I know so far, begins with research. For the liquid soap and detergent business, you need to look out for a few things. For someone who was with my mum when she started hers, I can help you with a few of her audience.
- You must first identify workplaces or individuals who will have an interest in your product. Examples are busy households, hotels, salons, hospitals, car wash bays, and chop bars or eateries. Each of these had its needs.
- Another point she considered was the locality where she lived. She took the opportunity of open marketplaces where everyone could see her, and she spoke to shop owners and supplied them at a discount, and marketed some of her products on Facebook.
- She realized there was competition since she was not the only one making liquid soap and detergents. This is where you have to look at the gaps, make your packaging unique or add unique scents.
Start Small: Be It At Home or a Micro Shop
Starting a liquid soap and detergent venture doesn't need a massive factory to begin. A spare room, garage, or rented space with good ventilation can do the work. Below are the key things my mum did:
- She kept surfaces clean and dry to prevent slippery floors, which might lead to accidents: Please do the same
- She got safety gears, gloves, goggles and masks. They are very important in this business
- Want to dodge too many risks? Then, starting small is what I will recommend to you.
Think Professional: What Will Retain Customers?
Quality, as I see it, matters more than Quantity. So do not produce just a bunch of detergents when the quality is nothing to write home about. New to this? Or have no skill or technical know-how in making your detergent and liquid soap. Do not worry, I have a few ideas for you:
Just enroll in courses, short ones of course from certified trainers. It could be online or on-site; there is no problem with that. The effort depends on you.
Become perfect with formulas for dishwashing liquid soaps, multipurpose cleaners, laundry detergents and hand soaps.
Make sure you test every batch before taking it out there for sale. The clarity of your product, thickness (matters a lot), fragrance (should be excellent), and cleaning powder (if you want to add that).
The Pro Tip in this today: To save time and avoid mistakes later on, keep a notebook in which you write down your measurements and observations. It saves you from costly mistakes later.
Think Long-Term: Create a Brand to be Remembered
The market is becoming crowded; you should know this for sure. Competition has become high and everyone wants to produce the best quality for the best and loyal customers. This is where you need to work harder. Think of your brand. What should it entail?
- Just choose a simple name for the brand, and make sure it's easy to pronounce. Helps with the recommendations from people when you are doing well.
- In terms of packaging your produce, make sure your labels are clean with clear usage instructions. Should it stay away from children? Then install the child-safe caps.
Want to Sell Without Difficulty? Then Start Where People Already Shop
Do not wait for buyers to find you. This is not the time to brighten the corner where you are. Go to where the people are: You target customers: Then
- Supply to the shops in your locality. Do you have saloons and small markets? Grab the chance.
- Want to boost sales? Just give out some free samples at some events, to some farmers, or some traders in the market. When they like it, they will come back looking for it.
- Are you going online too? Then, create a WhatsApp catalog or Facebook page with prices and delivery options.
- Now you can start thinking of partners. You have the car wash stations (washing bay), schools, or small hotels, so you supply in bulk.
Grow Without Losing Quality
As your orders grow, so should your system.
Are your demands increasing while you are stuck producing a small amount? Do not spoil the quality. Get yourself mixers, filling machines and larger tanks for storage if you were at first using your hand for mixing and funnels for filling and a small bucket for storage.
You need an insurance plan. Please get it, did saved my mum a great deal when the unforeseen happened
My final verdict
There is no harm in learning. Learn more to become perfect, and compete with the big brands when the time comes. Starting small is not a sin; Rome was not built in a day, so don't think of building success in a day.
