Price Increase

After much deliberation, I've decided to increase the price of my soaps from $5.50 per bar to $6 per bar. This increase will start March 1st. 2013.

It's been a hard decision to make but it's time. Canada Post increased their rates (as did USPS) so my suppliers were forced to increase their prices so my supply costs increased quite a bit. And I've started using different ingredients (silk, organic butters, different unrefined oils) which has added to the cost but oh, what a difference it makes in the soaps! The costs of those ingredients is higher and also, it takes a lot of my time researching those ingredients and creating recipes.

I have updated my packaging and have met with a most wonderful design artist who is creating a new logo and new product labels. Which I'm so excited to share with you in a few months! She sent me a draft of the logo and then we discussed colour and goodness, it's fantastic!

I haven't been respecting my fellow soap artisans with my pricing. Even at my local farmer's market when there were two other soapers, I had the lowest prices. At first I was proud of that but then I quickly realised I'm not doing anyone any favours by undercutting myself. Even the retail shops that sell my soaps have my soaps priced higher than what I sell them for. How's that fair?

And lastly, I have a vision for this little soap business of mine and in order for me to get there, I need to start to build a little nest egg. I can't do that right now when all my income goes right back into supplies, market fees, packaging and transportation costs.

The good news is that I've already factored in my current costs for the Organic soaps when I priced those so they won't be increasing. Nor will any other products but for the Natural Artisan Soaps and the Artisan Soaps. And if you're already on the Reservation List for soaps that come off the cure rack in March, you'll still only pay the $5.50 for those soaps.