Marketing: Product

- Identify the type of business you started.

- Manufacturing and Merchandising Business.
- Business Name: The Soap Bar
- Identify the type of ownership you will use. Why did you select this type of
ownership?
- Partnership, because multiple individuals will share the costs and
responsibilities of owning and operating it.
- Product Description: provide a detailed description of the product/service
you will provide. What need or want are you satisfying?
- We will be selling & manufacturing custom soap products that are tailored to
those with skin issues and sensitivities. Our products will be produced in an
environmentally conscious way and our business model takes economic
considerations.
- Need:
- Want:
- Describe your target market. What demographics and psychographics will
your typical consumers possess?
- Identify your competition (direct and indirect)
- Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, Sephora, Procter & Gamble,
Unilever, Lush Cosmetics, Johnson & Johnson, Colgate, L'Oréal,
Beiersdorf AG
- Branding: What is the name of your company? Create a slogan and logo.
- The Soap Bar (branding and packaging will look like The Abnormal
Beauty Company / The Ordinary)
- Slogan:

Marketing: Price
- What price will you charge for your product/service?
- Soaps price range: $5 to $25
- Cleansers and Scrubs: $16 to $25
- Explain why you chose this price?
- A price range within this bracket makes soaps affordable for a wide
range of consumers. It caters to those who are budget-conscious and
prefer more economical options while also accommodating customers
willing to spend a bit more for premium or specialty soaps.
- The $5 to $25 price range allows soap manufacturers to achieve
profitability by balancing production costs, marketing expenses, and
desired profit margins. It provides an opportunity to generate revenue
while ensuring a reasonable return on investment.

Marketing: Promotion (Melika)

- Create a sample advertisement that follows AIDA
 - Where will your customers view this advertisement?
- The customers will view the advertisement via social media. We will have a
very prevalent online persona. We will also sponsor people to help promote
our business (YouTubers, Instagram personas/TikTok reviewers).
- Newspapers, magazines, trade publications, and local publications often have
advertising sections where startups can place advertisements to reach their
target audience. This could include both physical and digital formats.
- We can send targeted promotional emails to a specific email list to reach a
broader audience of potential customers. Individuals interested can sign up
for SMS texts and emails when we have new product launches or discounts &
deals.

Corporate Social Responsibility (Jessica)

- What are the social and environmental impacts of your business?
- Resource consumption: The manufacturing process requires
raw materials such as oils, fragrances, and packaging materials,
which can have environmental consequences depending on
their sourcing and extraction methods.
- Waste generation: Soap manufacturing can generate waste,
including excess materials, packaging waste, and wastewater.
Implementing efficient waste management practices and
promoting recycling can help mitigate these impacts.
- Energy and water usage: The production process may require
energy and water, contributing to carbon emissions and water
stress. Using renewable energy sources and adopting
water-saving techniques can reduce the business's
environmental footprint.
- Ingredient selection: The choice of ingredients can have
varying environmental impacts. Opting for sustainable and
responsibly sourced materials, such as organic oils or natural
dyes, can minimize ecological harm.
- How will your company address each impact you identified above?
- Sustainable sourcing: The company will prioritize suppliers that
follow sustainable practices and adhere to ethical sourcing
standards, ensuring responsible extraction of raw materials.
- Waste reduction: They will implement strategies to minimize
waste generation, such as optimizing production processes,
using eco-friendly packaging materials, and encouraging
customers to recycle or return packaging.
- Energy efficiency: The owners will invest in energy-efficient
equipment, explore the use of renewable energy sources, and
 implement energy conservation measures within the
manufacturing process.
- Water conservation: They will implement water-saving
technologies and practices, such as water recycling systems
and monitoring water usage, to minimize water consumption
during production.
- Product transparency: They will attempt to provide clear
information to customers about the ingredients used in the
soap products, including any potential environmental or health
impacts, and emphasize sustainable and eco-friendly choices.
- Community involvement: The business will engage with the
local community by participating in events, supporting relevant
causes, and communicating the company's commitment to
social and environmental responsibility.
- What initiatives will your business start or support? Explain why you
selected these specific initiatives.
- Local economy: The business can contribute positively to the local
economy by creating jobs and supporting suppliers, thereby enhancing
economic development and livelihoods.
- Community engagement: The business may engage with the
community through events, collaborations, and partnerships, fostering
a sense of belonging and social cohesion.
- Health and well-being: Soap products promote personal hygiene,
which can have positive impacts on public health by reducing the
spread of diseases and improving overall well-being.
- Several initiative they will start / support:
- Sustainable Sourcing: They will ensure that your soap ingredients are
responsibly sourced and environmentally friendly. They plan on
supporting local farmers and suppliers who practice sustainable
agriculture or offer organic alternatives. By doing so, they will
contribute to the preservation of ecosystems, promote biodiversity,
and reduce the environmental footprint of your business.
- Plastic-Free Packaging: They plan on adopting packaging materials
that are eco-friendly, biodegradable, or recyclable. They will minimize
the use of plastic and explore alternatives such as paper or cardboard
packaging, reusable containers, or compostable materials. This
initiative reduces plastic waste and supports the overall goal of
environmental conservation.
- Education and Awareness: They plan on raising awareness about the
benefits of natural and sustainable skincare products through
educational initiatives. They will post informative content on their
website and social media platforms to educate consumers about the
harmful effects of certain ingredients and the benefits of using natural,
handmade soaps. By empowering consumers with knowledge, they are
 enabling them to make more informed choices and support sustainable
practices.

Entrepreneurship (Melika)
- List the characteristics you possess that will make you a successful
entrepreneur? Give examples of how you will demonstrate this skill in your
business.

Characteristics:
- Passion and Commitment: We are deeply passionate about our Soap Bar and
have a strong commitment to its success. This drive will maximize motivation,
help us overcome challenges, and ensure we're willing to put in the necessary
effort and dedication required to build and grow this business.
- Perseverance: Entrepreneurship often involves facing setbacks and obstacles
along the way. Having perseverance will allow us to stay determined and
resilient, enabling us to bounce back from failures, learn from them, and keep
moving in the right direction.
- Risk-Taking: We are willing to take calculated risks. In the soap business, this
might involve investing in new equipment, expanding product lines, exploring
new markets, or trying innovative marketing strategies. Taking calculated
risks can lead to growth and open up new opportunities for our soap business.
- Strong Work Ethic: Entrepreneurship demands hard work and a strong work
ethic. Building and running a soap business requires long hours, dedication,
and a willingness to go the extra mile. Having a strong work ethic ensures that
we stay focused, committed, and consistently deliver high-quality products
and services.

Skills:
- Creativity and Innovation: The ability to innovate and come up with unique
soap designs, scents, packaging, and marketing strategies can give us a
competitive edge in the market. Creativity allows us to stand out and attract
customers with distinct offerings.
- Planning Skills: Strong business planning skills are essential for any
entrepreneur. This includes creating a comprehensive business plan, setting
realistic goals, conducting market research, identifying target markets, and
developing effective sales and marketing strategies.
- Financial Management: Understanding financial concepts and having good
financial management skills are crucial for running a successful soap
manufacturing business. This includes budgeting, cost analysis, pricing
strategies, and managing cash flow effectively.
- Sales and Negotiation: As entrepreneurs, we will need to negotiate with
suppliers, distributors, and potential retail partners. Strong sales and
negotiation skills will help us establish favorable agreements, secure
beneficial partnerships, and increase our distribution network.
- Adaptability and Problem-Solving: The business landscape is constantly
evolving, and challenges will arise. Being adaptable, open to change, and
 having strong problem-solving skills will enable us to overcome obstacles and
seize new opportunities.

Leadership (Jessica)
- Create a scenario you will face in your business. Include specific details in
your scenario. Explain how you will address this situation. Make sure to
include what leadership style you demonstrated.
- Issue: The supply chain has been disputed due to a natural disaster,
shutting down the delivery of materials to the business owners.
- In this scenario, the business may struggle to source raw materials or
packaging components, leading to production delays or increased
costs. The owners may need to find alternative suppliers or adjust their
production processes to accommodate the changes.
- The Solution:
- When facing a supply chain disruption caused by a natural disaster,
small business owners in the soap and beauty care industry can take
several steps to address the situation effectively.
1. Assess the Impact
- The manager should begin by assessing the extent of the supply
chain disruption and its immediate impact on the business.
Determine which materials or components are affected, and
evaluate the potential impact on production, inventory levels, and
customer orders.
2. Communication
- With an understanding of the impact, the manager should
establish clear lines of communication with your suppliers to
understand the situation and obtain updates on their ability to
resume operations. Maintain open communication channels with
customers as well to manage expectations regarding product
availability and delivery delays.
3. Review and Improve:
- Once the disruption is resolved, the manager should conduct a
thorough review of the business’s supply chain resilience and
develop a plan to improve the business's ability to handle future
disruptions. They should identify areas for improvement, such as
supplier diversification, contingency planning, or enhanced risk
management strategies.
4. Diversify Supply Chain:
- Following the resolution of the conflict, the business managers
and employers should consider diversifying their supply chain in
the long term to reduce the risk of future disruptions. They will
need to identify multiple suppliers for critical materials and
establish relationships with them. This strategy helps mitigate
the impact of disruptions by allowing you to switch suppliers if
one becomes unavailable.
- Was this the most effective leadership style to use in that situation?
 - In such a situation, it would be best to have the manager adopt a
combination of situational leadership and transformational leadership.
- Situational Leadership: Situational leadership involves adapting your
leadership approach based on the specific situation and the needs of
your team. In a crisis like a supply chain disruption, the ability to assess
the situation and make decisions based on the immediate
circumstances is crucial.
- Transformational Leadership: Transformational leaders focus on
inspiring and motivating their team to achieve their full potential. In a
supply chain disruption, maintaining team morale and fostering
resilience are essential. Here's how you can incorporate
transformational leadership:
- By combining situational leadership, transformational leadership,
effective communication, and flexibility, small business owners can
provide the guidance, support, and motivation necessary to navigate a
supply chain disruption.

Human Resources: Recruitment and Selection (Tamana)

-You need to hire 1-2 employees to help you run this business. Identify the job
position you will recruit and select. Write the job description for that position.
Job positions:
Production Line Worker: Works on the assembly line, performing tasks such as
pouring soap mixtures into molds, monitoring production, or packaging soap
products.
Lab Technician: Conducts tests and experiments in the laboratory to develop new
soap formulas or improve existing ones.
- We would also help with operating the machines. We would make a schedule
and each day of the week one of us would pop in once and a while to make
sure everything is going smoothly.

-Make sure to include specific tasks you want the employee to perform, the level
of education you require, the previous work experience you believe is helpful, and
essential skills the ideal employee would possess.
The level of education required would vary on whichever job position they applied to.
If going for the production line worker, a high school diploma would be fine. At least
over 18. For the lab technician a bachelor's degree in medical science, technology,
biology, or another life science major. In previous work positions for the production
worker we would want them to be creative and neat. So any type of cake decorating
or painting jobs would suit that nature. For the lab technician, previous experience
will not be fully necessary, as long as they possess the necessary education
requirements.
Required Skills for the production line worker:
Technical skills: Production workers should have a good understanding of the
specific machinery, tools, and equipment used in their production environment. They
should be capable of operating and maintaining the machinery effectively and safely.
Attention to detail: Being meticulous and paying attention to details is vital in
maintaining quality control and adhering to production standards. Production
workers need to follow instructions precisely and accurately record data or
measurements.
Physical stamina: The work of a production worker often involves repetitive tasks,
standing for long periods, and manual labor. Having physical stamina and the ability
to perform tasks that require strength, endurance, and dexterity is important

Required Skills for the lab technician:

Knowledge of soap chemistry: Understanding the chemical composition, properties,
and reactions of different soap ingredients is crucial. This includes knowledge of
fatty acids, oils, lye (sodium hydroxide/potassium hydroxide), fragrances, colorants,
and other additives commonly used in soap production.
Laboratory techniques and equipment: Proficiency in laboratory techniques such as
measuring and weighing ingredients, preparing solutions, titrations, pH testing,
viscosity testing, and sample preparation is important. Familiarity with laboratory
equipment, including balances, pH meters, viscometers, and spectrophotometers, is
necessary.
Quality control and testing: Lab technicians need to conduct quality control tests to
ensure soap products meet established standards. This involves performing physical
and chemical tests, analyzing results, and maintaining accurate records. Common
tests may include pH testing, moisture content analysis, saponification value
determination, fatty acid profile analysis, and stability testing.
Safety protocols and procedures: Lab technicians must follow strict safety protocols
to ensure a safe working environment. This includes knowledge of proper handling,
storage, and disposal of chemicals, as well as the use of personal protective
equipment (PPE) and adherence to laboratory safety regulations.
Attention to detail: Lab technicians should possess strong attention to detail
accurately measure ingredients, record observations, and document results. Precise
measurements and documentation are vital for maintaining consistency and quality
control in soap production.

- Create 5 interview questions you would ask for this position. Justify why
these questions are helpful to select the ideal employee.

Production Line worker:

 1. Can you describe your experience working on a production line in a manufacturing
environment?
2. How do you ensure quality and efficiency in your work on a production line?
3. How do you ensure quality and efficiency in your work on a production line?
4.How do you prioritize safety and maintain a safe working environment on the
production line?
5.How do you handle tight deadlines or high-pressure situations on the production
line?

Lab Technician
1. Can you describe your experience working in a laboratory setting and
conducting experiments or tests?
2. How do you ensure accuracy and precision in your work as a lab technician?
3. Can you share an example of a complex experiment or project you have
worked on and the steps you took to ensure its success?
4. Can you share an example of a complex experiment or project you have
worked on and the steps you took to ensure its success?
5. How do you ensure compliance with laboratory safety protocols and maintain
a safe working environment?

Human Resources: Compensation (Tamana)

- What monetary pay will you provide for this position?
Production Line worker: 14.60/hr
Lab Technician: 20/hr
- What non-monetary pay will you provide for this position?
Flexible work arrangements: Offering flexible working hours, telecommuting
options, or compressed workweeks can provide employees with greater
work-life balance and autonomy.

Recognition and appreciation: Acknowledging employees' contributions

through verbal praise, employee-of-the-month programs, or other forms of
recognition can boost morale and motivation.

Work-life balance initiatives: Implementing policies that promote work-life

balance, such as paid time off, parental leave, sabbaticals, or wellness
programs, can help employees maintain a healthy equilibrium between work
and personal life.

Meaningful work: Providing opportunities for employees to engage in

meaningful projects, contribute to social causes, or participate in community
service initiatives can enhance job satisfaction and create a sense of purpose.
 Career advancement and growth opportunities: Establishing clear career
paths, promoting from within, and offering opportunities for advancement
can motivate employees to perform at their best and foster loyalty.

Positive work environment: Cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace

culture, where employees feel respected, valued, and empowered, can
contribute to their overall satisfaction and well-being.

Work-related perks: Providing additional benefits such as flexible dress

codes, free snacks or beverages or company outings create a positive and
enjoyable work environment.

- Explain how you made this decision.

We made this decision based on the jobs, how much education each one
needs, the skill level, and how much effort it would take to do each job. We
also made these decisions based off what other companies do, and which
ones would seem fit for us and our team.

Human Resources: Employee Relations (Tamana)

- What will you do to keep your employees happy?
We will make the environment super sanitary and safe for the employees. We
will make sure that there is a proper place for the employees to take their
lunch breaks and keep all their belongings. We will make sure that the
employees have proper stations where they can work comfortably and

- How will you support employee work life balance?

We will let the employees know when they will be working, and for how long.
We will let them pick shifts and try our best to accommodate them. If
anything is to come up we would communicate with the employees and see
what can be done. Employees will get their work shifts every month so they
know when we'll need them and help clear their schedule.

Accounting (Jessica)
- Create an initial Balance Sheet
- Show what assets you purchased with the initial $2,500 investment to
start your business.
- Create a forecasted (predicted) Income Statement for the two months you
business will run (July and August)
Final Reflection (All)
- After running this business for two months, what will you do with the
profits? Make sure to tie your response to course themes (save, invest, big
purchase, etc.).

(Jessica) Final Reflection:

- As one of the business owners, these are the steps I would take using the
profits made over the course of the two months.
- Reinvest in the business: Reinvesting profits back into the business can fuel
growth and expansion. We should consider allocating funds towards
marketing and advertising campaigns, upgrading equipment or technology,
hiring additional staff, or expanding product lines.
- Build an emergency fund: It's important to set aside a portion of the profits as
an emergency fund to handle unforeseen expenses or weather temporary
downturns in the business. This reserve can provide a safety net during
challenging times and ensure the business's stability.
- Pay off debts: If the business has any outstanding debts or loans, allocating
profits towards debt repayment can reduce interest costs and improve the
financial health of the business. Prioritizing debt reduction can increase the
business's creditworthiness and free up cash flow in the long run. This is the
most likely choice.
- Save for the future: Planning for the long term is crucial. We will consider
setting aside a portion of the profits for future business needs, such as
expansion plans, new ventures, or retirement savings.

WHAT YOU ARE SUBMITTING

❑ Business Plan (electronic template provided to you)
❑ One page print advertisement
❑ Budget (excel document)
❑ Forecasted Income Statement with Pie Graphs (excel document)
❑ Electronic submission on Google Classroom