14 Soap Business Success Stories From Entrepreneurs to Inspire You [2023]
Soap-making business is a growing industry that can be home-based or a small local business. Soap business is one of the most lucrative home-based businesses that perfect your decision to work in your free time while you earn good cash.
Starting a soap business sounds simple enough. You can buy supplies for probably less than $1,000. Popular skincare products are now being sold online, and this doesnโt seem like a challenging field to break into. Below are some success stories of the soap business that will inspire you.
Here are some real life success stories of starting a soap business:
1. Outlaw ($4.56M/year)
Danielle, the founder of Outlaw Soaps, started the business out of a desire for adventure and escape from the corporate world. On her honeymoon, she discovered a bar of soap that reminded her of the joy and excitement of her adventures. Realizing she could make her own soap with unique scents, she and her husband Russ launched Outlaw Soaps in 2013 with just $13.72 worth of supplies. Since then, they have built a loyal customer base and expanded their product line to include body wash, cologne, lotion, and more. With an average monthly revenue of $23,000 and a strong emphasis on customer service, Outlaw Soaps has found success by tapping into their customers' love for adventure and their desire to break free from the mundane.
How much they make: $4.56M/year
How much did it cost to start: $200
Current team size: 13
Outlaw Soaps, a soap company that started with just $13.72 of supplies, now makes an average of $23,000/month, with 46% of website orders from repeat customers who are loyal to the company's unique products and top-notch customer service.
2. The Purple Sage ($48K/year)
Sandy Engels, the founder and artisan of The Purple Sage, came up with the idea for her business after realizing that there are women like her who have cared for others for decades and are now ready to prioritize self-care. She started making soap and bath products and eventually created her signature product, Bubbleaux, a bubble bath that provides a luxurious and pampering experience. With her rebranded company and a loyal client base, Sandy's business has grown steadily, and she is now focused on leveraging videos and live streams to connect with her customers in the future.
How much they make: $48K/year
How much did it cost to start: $2.5K
Current team size: 0
A modern midlife woman crafts a soap company that encourages women to live and love boldly, garnering an average revenue of $2,800 a month by focusing on a collection of scents and products that results in a loyal client base.
So... can you actually make money with a soap business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
3. Mirai Clinical ($1.2M/year)
Koko, a Japanese female serial entrepreneur, came up with the idea for her eCommerce business of deodorizing body, hair, and home care products after realizing the lack of solutions for body odor associated with aging. Inspired by her grandmother's experience, she introduced Japanese Persimmon soap to the US market. Now, her business generates $100,000 in monthly sales, primarily through Shopify and Amazon, and focuses on providing senior-friendly products and exceptional customer service.
How much they make: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $15K
Current team size: 1
This case study features a Japanese female entrepreneur who started an eCommerce business offering deodorizing body, hair, and home care products, with monthly sales of $100,000 mostly from Shopify eCommerce and Amazon, targeting baby boomers and offering solutions for body odor associated with aging in the USA.
4. Alegna Soap ($60K/year)
Angela had always loved soaps and scents. She took the required chemistry classes in her degree and learned more about saponification, from where she joined similar communities and started her brand.
How much they make: $60K/year
Current team size: 0
Alegna Soap is a successful handmade soap retailer who uses events, personalized client touches and weekly blogs to retain customers that trust the brand, while running the three major legs of the business which are retail, private label and teaching/speaking, and maintaining a healthy balance between each leg.
So... can you actually make money with a soap business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
5. Spinster Sisters Co. ($1.5M/year)
spinsterproducts.com" style="color:blue"> via Amazon, and we sell internationally. We are in natural grocery and mass grocery, we are in spas and boutiques, and we are in gift shops and hotel spas. You almost have to give all channels a shot, to try to drive growth, brand recognition, and new sales. We have a strong social media presence, especially on Instagram, and we engage with our customers through newsletters and promotions. Additionally, we prioritize customer service and aim to provide a personalized and positive experience for each customer.
How much they make: $1.5M/year
How much did it cost to start: $1K
Current team size: 10
Spinster Sisters Co, a natural skin and personal care company that manufactures premium quality products, went from making soap in a basement to a $1.5 million/year business, boasting 18 employees, 2100 stores across the US and expansion into Canada, seeing massive growth potential in its sales funnel and achieving a record sales week, with a robust direct-to-consumer business (24% of sales) that's grown organically until this year.
6. Kiss My Crown Essentials ($14.4K/year)
Warnisha Foster, the founder of Kiss My Crown Essentials, came up with the idea for her business after feeling burned out as a single mother of four. She wanted a product that would make her feel feminine and empowered, so she created the Strawberry Rose' Champagne Soap. After selling over 500 soaps in the first month, Foster realized that there were many others who felt the same way she did. She now focuses on creating natural and organic products that prioritize nurturing and protecting the skin.
How much they make: $14.4K/year
How much did it cost to start: $800
Current team size: 1
Kiss My Crown Essentials founder Warnisha Foster shares her journey from creating organic soap products in her kitchen to selling over 500 soaps in her first month with a mission to let mothers know that they are seen, beautiful, and a necessity.
So... can you actually make money with a soap business?
Of course. There are millions to be made in this industry.
But how?
- Research real, profitable businesses and see exactly how much money they make.
- Study exactly what works, and what doesnโt.
- Take action, because now you have the roadmap.
Join Starter Story and build your next big thing:
7. Little Soap Company ($7.2M/year)
How much they make: $7.2M/year
Current team size: 11
This case study is about a founder who started making organic soaps from her kitchen table, which are now sold in major supermarkets and retail stores with four collections, and she has a strong following on LinkedIn with 5.9k followers.
8. River County Soapworks ($36K/year)
How much they make: $36K/year
Current team size: 0
This case study is about a handmade soap business that uses natural ingredients, herbs, and minerals to create beautifully scented, eco-friendly, and vegan soap bars.
9. Taproot Organics ($48K/year)
How much they make: $48K/year
Current team size: 4
Taproot Organics is a soap business started by Daniel Grunes that, after four years of effort using Twitter and Facebook as its main marketing channels, has two retail outlets and a 24/7 website.
10. Suchi's Handcrafted Skincare Products ($12K/year)
How much they make: $12K/year
Current team size: 2
This case study follows an entrepreneurial duo who have successfully grown a natural handmade soap business, selling around 500 soap bars per month primarily through Facebook and Instagram marketplaces.
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