Business Guides

With the return of summer there is an increase of outdoor activites which prompts the use of products such as insect repellent. Although it is not impossible for your small business to offer insect repellants, there are many guidelines and regulations that need to be reviewed before you begin to distribute your product.

Mermaids are a hot trend right now. From sea glass inspired colors and sea salt hair spray to sunny, tropical fragrances, you see mermaids and the ocean everywhere right now. Join Debbie May for another Facebook Live as she talks all about the mermaid trend and goes over some special additives that will take your products to the next level. 

Rigorous adherence to good manufacturing practice minimizes the risk of adulteration or misbranding of cosmetics. The following cosmetic establishment instructions, excerpted from FDA's Inspection Operations Manual, may serve as guidelines for effective self-inspection. A good inspection score means that an establishment follows good manufacturing practice.  The FDA has a checklist of 10 guidelines they use for inspection.  This article addresses guidelines 1 and 2. Use this month to focus on these two guidelines.  Next month we will address Raw Materials and Lab Controls.

You don’t have to be in a seasonal business to leverage summer as a business strategy. Here are six simple ways to use summer to build morale, improve sales, and enjoy life as a small business owner. Banish indoor meetings. Now that we live in a mobile world, there’s no reason to hold an indoor meeting in the summer. Aside from the fact that walking meetings can help you reach your recommended 30 minutes of physical activity a day under the Department of Health & Human Services guidelines, researchers have foundthat brief exposure to sunlight can provide enough Vitamin D to ease depression, and reduce the likelihood of cardiovascular illnesses and diabetes.

Running out of cash is a common cause of small business failures, but it doesn’t happen all of a sudden. It’s really a symptom of underlying problems that weren’t corrected quickly enough to put the business on a sound footing. Paying attention to finances has to start before you open for business on day one. While the prospect of doing this doesn’t excite many entrepreneurs, failure to do so greatly reduces your chances of success. Controlling expenses is just as important as generating sales. All the sales in the world won’t yield a profit if your spending exceeds a sustainable rate. Here are some ideas on how to monitor and manage the way you spend your money. What Are Overhead Costs in a Handmade Business? Overhead costs refer to the ongoing expenses required to run your business—but not directly tied to making a specific product. These might include rent, utilities, internet, packaging supplies, software subscriptions, or even insurance.Understanding what overhead costs are in your business helps you separate production costs (like raw materials) from operational ones. For example, if you make candles, the wax and fragrance oils are product costs, while the electricity to melt wax, your studio space, and your website fees are overhead expenses.There are two main types of overheads to track: Fixed overheads: Costs that remain constant regardless of how much you produce (e.g., rent, web hosting). Variable overheads: Costs that fluctuate based on your production or sales (e.g., shipping supplies, credit card fees). Identifying these categories will help you make more strategic financial decisions. How to Identify and Track Overhead Expenses To get a handle on your overhead, begin by reviewing your past few months of spending. Identify any recurring payments that aren’t directly tied to making your products—this includes expenses like your workspace, utilities, internet, website hosting, and business software. Once you’ve gathered a list of these operating costs, categorize them as either fixed (those that stay consistent, like rent or web hosting) or variable (those that shift depending on sales, like shipping supplies or credit card fees). This distinction helps you recognize which expenses you can potentially reduce and which are non-negotiable. Even a basic spreadsheet can be a powerful tool for tracking. Logging each expense monthly will help you spot patterns and evaluate whether your current setup is sustainable. If you’re not already tracking these details, starting now can be a turning point in your ability to make smarter financial decisions for your business. Practical Tips to Reduce Business Overheads Learning how to reduce overhead costs doesn’t mean sacrificing quality. It’s about working smarter with the resources you already have. Here are practical, budget-conscious ways to reduce business overheads: Downsize or share space: If renting a studio, consider moving to a smaller area or sharing the space with another maker. Negotiate with vendors: Ask suppliers about bulk discounts or lower shipping rates. Batch shipping: Consolidate orders to save on postage and time. Revisit subscriptions: Cancel unused software, apps, or services. Repurpose packaging: Reuse boxes or purchase eco-friendly options in bulk for better savings. Use free marketing channels: Social media and email marketing offer high ROI without additional cost. These small shifts can lead to significant savings over time.