While I am waiting for my trademark to be assigned to a US Patent and Trademark examining attorney (this takes several months), I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain why I am pursuing a trademark.
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A couple months ago, I was sitting in a rocker on the porch of a hundred year old haunted hotel. Up walks an attorney {let’s call him Dave because that is really his name}. Attorney Dave says to me, “Would you like to go up to my room with me and do that thing?” I respond with “What about your wife and my husband?” Slicker than a buttered biscuit, Attorney Dave says, “They can watch.” Being the curious girl that I am and not one to turn down a first experience; I followed him up to his room. He made it quick, easy and absolutely painless. Right there and then...  What habits do you possess? Maybe you will resonate with one or all of the following 7 Habits of Highly Effective Soap Makers.   Delving back into our series on consumer behavior we will take a look at the ways consumers purchase, specifically, man vs woman. Is it true that men “buy” and women “shop”? Yes, this is absolutely correct and as a seller it is important to know why. Tailoring your products to your market will not only get you noticed but it will also generate the highly desired money flow. So let’s find out exactly what he says and what she says.
 As defined, consumer behavior is the study of consumers and the processes they use to choose, consume, and dispose of products and services. Consumer behavior also encompasses fundamentals from other sciences such as psychology, biology, chemistry and economics. It is a melting pot of emotions, thoughts, needs + wants!
What makes a consumer buy soap? Well, of course that is an easy one to answer, everyone washes to get clean. But soap as soap makers know it is not always soap as consumers know it. Let’s look at our product from the point of view of the consumer.  We last left off our pricing discussion talking about the importance of knowing your market. One tried and true way is a supply + demand curve. While economics is one of my absolute passions and accounts for a large field of concentration of my Master’s Degree, it may not be as relatable to all. So let’s take a step back in order to move forward with discussing cost plus pricing. Is it a good fit for your business model? I will let you be the judge.
 How Much Should I Charge for My Soap? This question is not uncommon. In fact, it has been asked to me so many times and in so many ways. My response is always the same; price your product in line with what the market will bear. Vague right? Well, not so much. Let’s look at a few hypothetical situations.
 Getting noticed is the objective of entrepreneurs. Or is it? Enter the debate on the old adage of “There is no such thing as bad publicity.” It is quite possible to earn a living at being bad; if you are a celebrity. But most soap makers are quite content to modestly stir our oils and lye. After all, the allure of the home based business is one of the top reasons we began making and selling soap.
 Creating internet content is not only a great way to keep a record of your work but it also allows others to follow along. Do you have something to say? Facebook or a blog is a great place to publish your words. Do you have something to show? YouTube is for you!
Follow my guide of tips and dos + don’ts to help you along your way.  If given the choice, would you take business advice from an entrepreneur with record of failure? Chances are you probably have. Eight out of ten small businesses fail within the first two years. Failure is not always the end but giving up will always end in failure.
Back to my original question, should you take advice from a failed business owner? Yes and no. Here are my top five tips to keep in mind when spending your hard earned money on a consultant or bringing on a partner. |
