19: Why You Need A Biz Plan For Success

Shelley Verlaan was a career accountant, until one day a friend suggested they get together and make soap. That one session did it - Shelley was hooked. She dove into R&D, started creating her own line of soap, and sold them at markets for a few years until Covid restrictions shut that down. What did she do? She went full-in and opened a brick and mortar store. Sales have blown past projections. In this episode, you’ll hear how a business plan has been a key component of her success with Soapolallie Soapworks (and how it can accelerate your business too!) It’s refreshing to discover how the concept of making choices in her business so that everyone can survive and thrive, is what guides her decision-making. Be sure to catch all the valuable no-cost and low-cost marketing tips and reminders sprinkled throughout our conversation, and enjoy the end-of-episode takeaways where I focus on how and why to treat your side hustle NOW as the big, bold, beautiful success you envision it to one day be.   What You'll Hear: 04:16 The first soap-making session  05:18 600 bars of soap - now what? 06:06 Selling at markets 10:00 Covid restriction gives birth to the idea of opening a store 12:38 Customers experience a calming effect by being in the store 14:22 In-depth business plan - a necessity  15:20 Grants, and supports, are often available - take advantage!!! 21:49 Business to Business Love, one way Shelley highlights local businesses  23:23 Everyone needs to survive and thrive 24:30 Failure is part of the soap-making process 25:20 Product line has expanded greatly since moving into the store 26:44 Who is your buyer? 28:00 Develop your email and client list vs just relying on social media 28:52 The naming of Soapolallie Soapworks 31:33 Shelley’s special source of inspiration  33:58 Choose a side hustle you’re passionate about Takeaways  34:25 The need and importance of a business plan 35:40 How to treat your side hustle as a big, bold, beautiful success now! Connect with Shelley: Soapolallie Soapworks Her videographer: Brand Stories Connect with Joan: Instagram Facebook Joan's Main Site Email Be on the show! Be Our Guest