Custom orders or make a line

[LitchOfDoom]

So back around February I started making my own liquid out of frustration of lack of dragon/passion fruit flavors out there. Here I am, 3 months later, with effectively 35 different flavors, though one is a clone. I have taken 23 of them to my local vape shop and got several people interested in possibly buying some from me. The shop owner even said he's stock and sell my products should I start producing them. The idea of this is more than exciting and I would love nothing more than to do so, but I keep having "mental" blocks stopping me.

My biggest concern is my liquids are all 0 nic. I have heard of a few lines that do 0 nic but I know that you should have at least a 6 and 3 for those that still like it or are still trying to quit and need it. My other thought was to use different levels of caffeine instead of nic. This came with mixed reviews as some say its a gimmick that doesn't work while others, me included, say it works well, sometimes too well.

The remaining hesitations come from that of business licensing and other associated requirements to start doing it all. That said, I am reaching out to see what others outside my circle and see what others think. My questions are as follows;

1. Should I go all out, start a business, and sell my product or stick to just a few custom orders as they come?
2. Thoughts on the nic vs caffeine idea?
3. If I do go all out, what are all the requirements need?

 

[stevegmu]

If someone buys your e-liquid, gets sick, blames it on the e-liquid and sues you, do you have litigation and liability insurance?

 

[LitchOfDoom]

If someone buys your e-liquid, gets sick, blames it on the e-liquid and sues you, do you have litigation and liability insurance?

That's a thing? Lol. If need be I can or add something onto the label that would protect me somehow

 

[stevegmu]

That's a thing? Lol. If need be I can or add something onto the label that would protect me somehow

Yes. If I sold anything which was made to me ingested, I'd have $millions worth of insurance, or be prepared to lose everything...
Warning labels don't prevent lawsuits...

 

[puffon]

3. If I do go all out, what are all the requirements need?

Before spending too much, you may want to see what the FDA has in store for you.
I've read, we will know in 3-4 weeks....

 

[Shirtbloke]

Have you read Rolygate's post in the new member forum? I'm not referring to the bit about posting business ideas but the stuff about juice businesses. Recommended reading for those thinking about it......
New Members - DON'T post about business ideas! | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[john333]

In you have culinary skills and know how to tweak a recipe to perfection you should start a line with very few flavors. You want people to flat out rave over your recipes. There's plenty of vendors who sell mediocre product. If a vendor has a line of 50 flavors my reaction is to take a pass or search for the one or two they sell that are actually good. Just my honest opinion,

 

[Janet]

I like DIY as a hobby and only make e-liquid for myself. I don't personally know that many vapers, but I have asked a personal acquaintance who also vapes for her opinion on a flavor or two I've made. If I become acquainted with a vaper who becomes a friend, I might consider giving him/her a bottle of e-liquid as a gift. That is as far as I'm willing to go. I just don't want to invest a bunch of money in a business that seems pretty risky.

I once turned a floral design hobby into a small business for a while. Juggling my regular full-time job with the little floral design business was not easy. I learned that it did not make sense for me to try to do floral design full-time considering my personal life circumstances. It would have cost too much to buy all the proper equipment, acquire more space, etc., etc.

It's great if you can make a living at something you love to do, but if you manage to do it, that thing you loved doing as a hobby often just becomes hard work and is not so fun anymore. Just sayin.'

 

[BigEgo]

1. Should I go all out, start a business, and sell my product or stick to just a few custom orders as they come?
2. Thoughts on the nic vs caffeine idea?
3. If I do go all out, what are all the requirements need?

1) Yes, you will need to register an LLC for liability. If you don't, then things could be ugly if someone decides to complain that you made them sick (even if it's all BS).
2) No, I would not use any additives like caffeine.
3) An LLC at least. However, I have never sold juice, so it would be wise to consult someone who does in your area. Ask the vape shop owner what hoops you need to jump through for him to sell your juice and for everything to be kosher in a legal and business sense.