Business Class Summary Page

We hear your cries for a creative outlet - and the desire to turn "what you love" into "what you do." Many people come to The Nova Studio for classes because they are interested in turning a hobby into a profitable small business. We fully support the idea - but making the dream a reality is hard to do all by yourself. And why should you have to? Why not learn from experts who have made the mistakes (so you don't have to)? We've been on the hunt for the right combination of teachers and classes to provide you with the best advice, time saving tips, and information you need to start or grow your existing business. The classes below were designed for you - the budding craftsperson - whether your craft is soap, candles, bath & body products, or other handcrafted goods.

AUDIO eClass: Audio Business Boot Camp w/ Donna Maria
July 20, 2013: Soapmaker Software to the Rescue
October 19, 2013: Good Manufacturing Practices
October 19, 2013: Soap & Cosmetic Labeling
October 20, 2013: Soapmaker Software to the Rescue
October 20, 2013: Product Photography with Your iPhone

[scroll down or click on links for a description of each class]

Audio eClass: Audio Business Boot Camp
with Donna Maria

The AUDIO Business Boot Camp eClass covers four important business topics. The audio recording of Donna Maria's teaching is enhanced by the detailed multiple-page outlines that offer an overview of the subject & a time stamp, so you can easily re-listen to important topics. Each day has practical applications, like The New Brand of Business Leaders, Saving Your Business Before it Starts, Your Hidden Intellectual Property Assets, and Becoming the News You Want to Be. By buying all four days (four audio recordings & four multiple-page outlines) you can save the price of one day - a $39 savings. Donna Maria's teaching, tips, & ideas are timeless, and provide a solid ground to build your business on.
Click HERE for a full class description.

Soap & Cosmetic Labeling
with Marie Gale

This 4-hour workshop, taught by the former President of the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, will cover what nearly ALL products require on the label, no matter what they are (cosmetic, soap, household, etc.) such as determining if your product is a cosmetic, soap, drug, "consumer commodity" or something else, the different options for labeling soap, how to determine the right size and placement for the required information, ingredient listings, and a newly formatted hands-on workshop to review or design your product labels. Attendees will be (hands-on) applying the information to the labels of three of their own products that they bring to class. If you are planning on selling your soap or bath & body products, you won't want to miss this workshop!
Click HERE for a full class description.

Good Manufacturing Practices
with Marie Gale

This brand-spanking new Good Manufacturing Practices class by author, teacher & past HSMG president Marie Gale will cover the basics of what good manufacturing practices are and why they are so important. Don't think that just because your business is small, you don't need GMP. Actually, they may even be MORE important when it's just one person who is both chief cook and bottle washer. The concepts of GMP aren't hard and it's not that complicated to get all the pieces in place. However, it does take informed foresight and organization, as well as the ability to adjust down the requirements that are generally intended for large companies and get them to work for a one-man-show. Students will go home with handouts to help them put their new procedures in place when they get home & all the know-how to set up GMP in their own home business in a practical & helpful way. 
Click HERE for a full class description.

Soapmaker Software
to the Rescue
with Ruth Esteves

Running a profitable business means knowing the numbers. If you don't know your costs, you can't know if you are making any money. And you can't run a business efficiently if you can't keep track of your supplies, your products and your recipes. That's why The Nova Studio recommends Soapmaker Software 3 to our students who are running small businesses. Instead of using spreadsheets, note books, or (gasp!) piles of unfiled papers, Soapmaker Software 3 helps you stay organized, efficient and on top of your business. It will very quickly pay for itself in the time that you save.

Click HERE for a full class description.

iPhone Product Photography
with Erin Pikor