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My niece gave me some bath bombs as a gift. I loved them and decided to learn how to make them. Once I learned how to make them, some people wanted to order them so I decided to open a small home-based business.

This is the process that I used:

1. Find your passion.

I loved the way the bath bombs made my skin feel. I loved the pampering, relaxing, and good for the soul type feeling I got when I experienced my luxury bath.

2. Read everything you can.

I went to a lot of bookstores and bought many books on the subject. I visited the library and borrowed books. I read eBooks, browsed websites, looked at online databases, and anything else pertaining to my subject that I could find from authoritative resources.

3. Use the Internet and online databases that are available to you.

I used the Internet not only to learn how to make bath bombs but also studied many companies. I especially learned from soap supply and fragrance oil sites. Many sites list their recipes online for you. I visited other bath bombs sites to see how they operated. I reviewed the credentials of some of the people and realized there are plenty of online folks willing to help.

4. Get yourself a mentor and track your successes.

I was lucky, my niece taught me many things about oils, properties of ingredients, labeling, packaging, reputable companies, and marketing ideas. Many sites have FAQ or a contact us section that you could use if you don't have a mentor. Keep notes and track your successes so you remember what works for you.

5. Refine your skill and test your product.

My family and friends agreed to use my product. I wanted feedback to know that

I was making a quality product and that no one had any trouble with the ingredients irritating their skin. I tried and adapted many recipes until I perfected a process that worked for me. I used many bath uglies before I finally learned but thank goodness they still worked the same as the pretty ones. I practiced shipping and packaging to distant relatives and friends and made sure that a quality product survived the shipping process.

Even with some breakage, the quality was still there.

6. Local county and State assistance.

I went to the local Chamber of Commerce and had a class there. I studied information

and decided to apply for a Doing Business As (D.B.A.) at our local courthouse. I applied as a Domestic Limited Liability Company through Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth and for a Sales Tax License through the Michigan Department of Treasury.

7. Store and organize your websites.

Backflip is the site that I use to store and organize my websites. I set up categories for companies, ingredients, colorants, mentor tips, practice ideas, recipes, and wiki.

8. Use friends, family, and templates to set up your business keeping records.

Free templates were used to create invoices. I adjusted mine to collect for Michigan taxes and add the shipping costs. My friend helped me set up some spreadsheets for orders, expenses, and charts. I created folders as documents for lists, line fragrances, retired fragrances, fragrances to be considered, labels, etc. My daughter designed packing slips for me and helped me select fragrances and names for the bath bombs. I keep these documents in a 3 ring binder with plastic pocket protectors for collecting invoices and receipts. I printed my own business cards with Avery stock and my computer.

9. Register for a domain name, build a website, and consider a wiki.

I used Yahoo to register for a domain name and make a starter webpage. I used geocities and my email provider to create more elaborate websites. All sites have my email as the way to contact me for orders or inquiries. The template provided for the website worked fine for me. It listed my mission, information, product, news, and related links. Customers order through email, I email them an invoice, they pay with a check (no charge cards), the check clears, and the bath bomb order is shipped using flat rate USPS boxes. I recently created a wiki and am learning how to use that.

10. Enjoy.

I have enjoyed creating BBE. I am still learning but thought I would share the process this far in case someone could benefit with turning their own hobby into a passion. I learned from so many people and wanted to pass it on to others.