Bath & body business....encouragement

**ELITE1** · 07-12-2009 03:12 PM

I am a wife, mother of 2 (ages 3 & &), i work full time, and I attend graduate school. I have been making all natural products at home for my children's eczema condition for years. I'd like to make and sell all natural bath and body products from my home and online. The startup is not much for what I'd like to do (less than $500), but I'm apprehensive to spend the money. I have little to no support from my husband and need some advice and encouragement. These are just a couple of questions I have off the top of my head:

*Should I sell on ebay or create my own website?
*If I do decide to sell on ebay, should I disregard a business license?

Any suggestions will be helpful...THANK YOU!

**Benizzle** · 07-13-2009 10:34 AM

although im not to familiar with the market, I would look at first thing getting your products recognised and verified by a national standard of some kind (unsure what it would be, depending on your location?)

Before you considered trying to sell large amounts

Keep it up, sounds like you have the right idea and also quite motivated

**inle** · 07-13-2009 11:23 AM

i think you will need some approval or testing done for your product..
Once you are through that, then you are on your way..

perhaps it will b good to work on a business plan..
if you need help in marketing offline, do let me know..
i will surely help you out..
Go for your passion..

**swede** · 07-14-2009 04:03 PM

Sounds like a very good idea and potentially very profitable. The other posts are right though, you need to get your product tested and certified before doing anything else. Once that is done, you should think about marketing your product - do you have a product logo, brand name, what type of packaging will you use.

Most importantly, is this a product that others produce? You need to look at your competition and how does your product differ to others if there are competing products out there.

Any product that is natural and produced for the baby/child market is potentially a huge growth product.

A bit more research needs to be done on your part. I would aim to be selling your products in the large stores if I was you - forget e-bay - think BIG! If your product is in demand, has good packaging and a passionate person like yourself pushing the product, there is no reason why you can't make it! : )

Keep me posted on your developments.

Cary

**Justin901** · 01-26-2012 11:17 PM

My encouragement to you is to think positive. I'm currently studying web design and I would love to help you with a website. Private Message me if you would like to further discuss any plans.

**Paul Morgan** · 01-27-2012 10:23 AM

Whoa. learn the facts about approvals. Go here Is It a Cosmetic, a Drug, or Both? (Or Is It Soap?)
and you will find that a natural soap is "good to go"

Having a clearly defined idea of what it is you want to do is paramount. Are we talking about a potentially BIG business or more of a local "cottage" industry.

I love that you are so busy but still find time to explore entrepreneurship.

Good on ya

**JessicaAutumn** · 02-02-2012 06:49 AM

Hi! You can start up on eBay first. Then once you have gathered customers, you can introduce them to your site. It is still good to have your own site.

**Gary Barzel** · 02-06-2012 05:49 AM

You may not need to get approvals for this product- it depends on whether you are making any specific claims on the packaging.
If you are trying to market this as an eczema product, you may have more difficulty, as you will need to prove this claim.

My advice would be to have a look at some products on the market that market themselves for eczema without actually using the terms- such as 'for very dry skin conditions'.

Also, have a look at hot areas of kids skincare, such as natural / organic / paraben free- this can all help create a niche for your line.