For Vendors and Suppliers
Vendors and suppliers are the cornerstones of the handcrafted soapmaking industry. Without our industry's vendors and suppliers, soapmakers would have a very hard time finding the supplies and materials they need to make and market handcrafted soap. Without soapmakers profitably making soap, the businesses of vendors and suppliers would dramatically change.
The HSMG works for vendors and suppliers in two ways - first by supporting and protecting the handcrafted soap industry as a whole through education, legislative advocacy, insurance and more; and second, by providing direct member benefits to vendors and suppliers that are geared toward helping them gain exposure to soapmakers.
A Vendor Memberships is the in the name of the business and has an individual person connected to the membership as the owner. In addition, a "contact person" can be designated by the owner. If assigned, the contact person gets email and enews updates from HSMG instead of the owner. Both the owner and the contact person have unique log-ins to the HSMG Member Area and Forum.
In order to better serve the diverse needs of the vendors and suppliers in the handcrafted soap industry, Vendor memberships are available in three tiers, each with different direct membership benefits and annual dues. This way the business can select the membership tier which is best suited to their business model.
For Your Business
Free Webstore at SoapGuildStores.com
All members are permitted to set up a free webstore at www.soapguildstores.com. The store is fully customizable and may be
used to actually sell products and take orders or as a brochure site directing visitors
to your main eCommerce site.
Merchant Services
Though Ethos Payments, HSMG members can sign up for merchant services at a remarkably low rate.
Ethos provides merchant services for all major forms of credit card payments (including VISA, MasterCard,
Discover, American Express) and also Gift Cards. The application fee is waived and rates are as low
as 1.64% + 18¢ per transaction. Compared to other services you may save as much as 2% on every credit card
transaction.
Office Depot Discounts
The HSMG has partnered with Power Purchasing to give HSMG members a free membership giving access
to the special pricing offered by the Office Depot Business Services Division. Discounts include an
across-the-board 10% discount on business products, 30 - 70% discounts on select \'Best Value Deals",
FREE SHIPPING with no minimum purchase and exceptional pricing on copy/print services at Office Depot
On-Line Listings
"Where to Buy Supplies" Listing
The Where to Buy Supplies listing displays in the "Resources for Soapmakers" section and is allows soapmakers to locate Vendors by company name, state, or country. Listings include the company name, website, city-state-zip, and a brief description. There is a "More Info" link which takes the visitor to a detail page displaying more information and contact information. All levels of Vendor membership may have a listing included. When displayed to non-members, those Vendors who offer a discount to HSMG members are marked with a star; when shown to logged-in members, the listings include the actual amount of the offered discount and the code to access it. Listings are prioritized by membership tier.
Company Logo on the HSMG Website [Tier 1 only]
Tier 1 Vendor Members may submit a logo to be placed on the Resources for Soapmakers page of the HSMG Website.
Advertising & Promotion
Monthly Vendor Specials
Vendor Members may contribute ads and specials to be included in a monthly promotional email sent to all members.
Print Advertising in New Member and Renewal Packs
When members join the HSMG or renew their membership, they receive a packet of information. Vendor members may submit print advertising to be included in these packs (materials to be included subject to approval).
Spotlight on the HSMG Blog
Each Vendor member will be spotlighted on the HSMG blog at least once during their membership term.
Submit Branded Recipes & Videos to Soapmaker Learning Library
The Soapmaker Learning Library is a growing collection of educational materials, videos and links available to soapmakers. Vendor members may submit recipes and videos which are branded with their company name (submissions subject to approval).
Branded Lye Calculator [Tier 1 only]
The HSMG offers a version of the basic Lye Calculator branded with the company's name, logo and colors
which is accessible by a special link that can be used by their customers to access the branded lye
calculator.
Industry & Community
Use of the Member Logo
Qualified HSMG Members may used HSMG Member Logo on print, packaging and/or web materials to promote the fact they are a member of the HSMG, thereby increasing customer confidence.
Member Forum
The Member Forum is place where members can exchange information, ask questions, keep up-to-date on
HSMG goings on, find out about activities, discounts, product information and more. The advantage to a
Member Forum is that unlike a "Yahoo Group", the information is stored permanently so there is a
searchable history. Vendor members may submit special offers, answer questions about their
products and services and otherwise communicate with all members.
Regular Association Updates via HSMG eNews
eNews issues are sent by email to members to keep them up-to-date on news and activities of the HSMG, including legislation and other matters of interest.
Education & Resources
Learning Library
the Learning Library is a library of information, videos, articles and references of value to soapmakers, vendors and those in the industry. A portion of the Learning Library, containing materials pertinent to very new soapmakers, is publicly available in the "Resources for Soapmakers" section. A much wider array of information on basic and advanced soapmaking, buisness and other topics is available to members. All manner of information is stored in the Learning Library, including study guides for the Certification Program, articles and videos. The Learning Library is an on-going accumulation of pertinent information.
Soapmaker Certification Program
All members have the option to participate in the HSMG Certification Program. Certified members may use and
display the Certified Soapmaker Logo, a nice way to increase customer confidence.
Advanced Lye Calculator
The Basic HSMG Lye Calculator is available for members and non-members in the "Resources for Soapmakers" section of the website. Within the "Members Only" section, an advanced lye calculator is available which allows the soapmaker to set more detailed information about his/her recipe and the specific oils used.
Conference and Sponsorships
Conference Registration Discount
Every year the HSMG has an Annual Conference. It is 3 days, filled with classes and presentations on
a wide array of topics pertinent to soapmaking (including actual soapmaking demonstrations and how-to's).
Conference attendance is open to both members and non-members. Members receive a discount on the
registration fee and exhibitor tables. Vendor Tier 1 Members receive two (2) FREE
conference registrations (each for one person to attend the conference) and a free exhibitor table
as part of their membership benefits.
Personal Recognition at the Annual Conference [Tiers 1 & 2 only]
Vendor members are acknowledged at the Annual Conference. Tier 1 Vendor members have a logo banner prominently placed. Tier 2 Vendor members are acknowledged in the Conference Program Book.
Priority Placement of Ads and Banners [Tiers 1 & 2 only]
Vendor members get priority placement of banners (based on membership level) on the Benefactor List, and Where to Buy Supplies listing. Ads in The Handcrafted Soapmaker are also given priority placement.
Priority Conference Sponsorship Opportunities [Tiers 1 & 2 only]
Tier 1 & 2 Vendor members get priority in their selection of co-branded merchandise that they may sponsor at the Annual Conference. They also get priority selection for sponsorships of meals, breaks, speakers and specialevents. (Note: Sponsoring fees vary based on the item or event sponsored and priority selection is based on HSMG policies.)
Directing the Organization
The senior managing body within the HSMG is the membership and the membership determines who should serve as President or sit on the Board of the Directors. The membership also approves major policies and activities of the organization.
Right to Vote
The HSMG Annual Membership Meeting is held during the Annual Conference every year. All members may attend (whether or not they are attending the conference) and all members have the right to vote on issues presented at the Annual Meeting.
Right to Serve on a Committee
All members have the right to volunteer and to serve on a Committee if they so choose.
Referral Program
The HSMG Referral program is in development. Once completed, Members will receive credits (called "Golden Bubbles")when they refer other soapmakers or vendors to join the HSMG. Golden Bubbles may be used toward membership dues, conference registration, advertising or HSMG merchandise.