ANHC PRO Makers Club: Planning What You Make (and When)

Elaine Truesdale
41 minutes ago
3 min read

If you’ve ever looked around your workspace and thought, “I’m selling products, but this still feels harder than it should,” you’re not alone. Many hair and skincare brand owners start by focusing on what they’re making—and only later realize how important planning, tracking, and timing really are. Our recent ANHC PRO Makers Club LIVE session focused on building simple habits that make product-based businesses feel more manageable and far less reactive.

The Makers Club is a members-only space where ANHC PRO members learn about making and selling hair and skincare products with guidance from club advisor Margaret Haven and other cosmetic industry experts. The focus goes beyond formulas—it’s about running a product-based business with intention.

Pay Attention to What Customers Actually Buy

Instead of guessing what to make next, pay attention to what customers actually buy and how often they reorder.

This helps you:

Spot best-sellers
See repeat patterns
Decide what to make again first

Emotional reframe: This isn’t about being “salesy”—it’s about letting customers guide your decisions.

Why This Matters to Your Bottom Line

When you plan what you make and track what you use, you spend less replacing supplies, avoid last-minute rush orders, and make smarter restocking decisions. Simple systems protect cash flow, reduce waste, and support steady growth.

Track Raw Ingredients as You Make Products

Raw ingredients are the materials used to create your products—oils, butters, waxes, powders, fragrances, and other components.

Each time you make products:

Note what you used
Note how much you used
Subtract it from what you have

Running out unexpectedly isn’t a failure—it’s a signal to tighten the system.

Understand Batches

A batch is one group of products made at the same time using the same measurements.

Tracking batches helps you:

See how fast ingredients are used
Plan future making sessions
Stay consistent

Consistency builds customer trust—and your confidence.

Know Your Suppliers and Timing

Suppliers are who you buy ingredients from. Lead time is how long it takes items to arrive after ordering.

Knowing this helps you:

Order before you’re low
Avoid last-minute purchases
Plan with less stress

Having more than one supplier for key items gives you flexibility.

Planning here saves money and anxiety.

Avoid Overbuying

Buying more than you need ties up money.

Watch for:

Supplies sitting unused
Crowded storage
Unclear reordering needs

Buying with intention keeps your brand healthy.

Keep Things Easy to See

Keeping ingredients and ready-to-sell products neat and labeled helps you:

Catch low supplies early
Avoid duplicates
Work faster

Organization is about ease, not perfection.

Use a Bill of Materials (BOM)

A Bill of Materials (BOM) is simply a list that shows:

Every raw ingredient in a product
The exact amount used

It helps you plan batches, understand costs, and stay consistent.

Writing it down turns guesswork into clarity.

Pre-Measure to Save Time

Pre-measuring ingredients for future batches:

Speeds up making days
Reduces mistakes
Improves consistency

A little prep now creates breathing room later.

Track When Products Are Made

Tracking when products are made and what went into them (lot tracking) helps you:

Answer customer questions
Spot issues quickly
Build professional habits

This is how small brands operate like established ones.

Join ANHC PRO and the Makers Club

These conversations are why the ANHC PRO Makers Club exists—to support hair and skincare brand owners who make their own products and want to grow with clarity.

To join the Makers Club, you must be an ANHC PRO member. Membership includes expert-led sessions, practical education, and a business-minded community.

Join here:https://www.anhcpro.org/memberships