14 days into blogging.

 
When I accepted the Blog Your Brand challenge from Indie Business Network, I didn't really know what to expect. I knew it was something that I needed to do, and blogging has been something I have been interested in for a while. Long before I started my soaping business I pinned post on Pinterest about blogging and had even read a few articles. But realistically, I didn't know where to start. Even as I signed up for the challenge, I was very worried about getting it done. It took me hours to figure out how to open an account to blog and even longer to find a template, add a few buttons and get started. It was very overwhelming and if it hadn't been for the pressing need to complete my challenge, I would have given up long before getting started. There have been some things that have gotten easier, and others that have gotten harder. Here is an example of each:

Easier:

• We all know that when we do something over and over, it makes it easier. From playing the piano to running a mile, the more time you put in repeating or practicing, the easier it is. This has been true also for blogging. Getting into the habit of putting thoughts into words had made this flow with more ease. I spend less time worrying about how cohesive each sentence is and more just typing what is in my brain. Then I go back and reread. There is still tweaking that goes on and I find that not everything I write makes sense, but there is less hesitation about the first draft. And, I find that I am able to express what I mean with less finagling. So, that side of things has gotten easier.
• Another thing that has gotten easier, is confidence. I am more sure that when I sit down with a clear or even semi clear picture of what I want to post, that I will get it done. The first post I did I think evolved over a period of 4 hours! That time has been considerable cut down. It's almost like I feel the freedom to jump right in and say what is in my head. The positive feedback from not only those participating in the challenge, but others that have read my blog has given me confidence that I have a voice. That I have something to say that others want to read.

Harder:

• Content. The night before the contest started I sat down with pen and paper and jotted down 16 possible blog posts. I had a whole world of possibilities out there to explore! I mean, nothing had been written yet, and my blog could go any way I wanted. But, as I have crossed more and more topics off that list, and as I have narrowed a bit what I do and don't want to post about, the list of possible topics has dwindled. So, coming up with blog content has become harder. Plus, I now have to consider if what I am posting is in line with the overall voice of what I want my blog to be.

Take away at half way through this challenge:

If you want to get into blogging or need a push to promote your business, get in on one of these challenges! You learn so much about yourself, your abilities and what you really have to say, by being forces to post every day. You don’t' get the luxury of waiting on perfection and you find that you can truly pull this off. Also, getting to read posts daily from others that are blogging about subjects completely unrelated to your business is truly stimulating! From posts about dog training, to laughter in marriage, being exposed to things outside your genre will also help you find material. Seeing how others are open up can free you to be more personal. Reading the way someone else expresses their view on a subject can help you see things in a new light.



My experience with this challenge has been a very good one. I look forward to the second half of this challenge and to giving an update as, together, we cross that finish line, having blogged, once a day for 30 days. Can I count you with me?

Oils & Butters: So many choices

In this day and age, thanks to internet and such, we have access to a huge variety of products. This is true for soaping as well. Back before this easy access, soapmaking was done with what was available locally. As such, soaps were varied depending on where you lived. For example, Castile soap (100% Olive Oil soap) would have been found in  and around Italy, Coconut oil soaps in tropical regions, and pure animal fat soaps here in the US and Europe. Now a days, we have the luxury and exciting task of playing with a huge variety of different oils from all over the world! It really does make the the mad scientist in me giggle with glee. Each oil has it's own properites and brings something special to soap and body products. And as such, each soap maker is goign to combine them in thier own special way to make their products unique.

Bird of Paradise: My 100 % Olive Oil Soap.

The list of oils that are out there is long! And to be honest, there are so very many that I hope to have tried them all one day. Some are inexpensive, some are pricy. But they are each special. Here are the oils that I have used and use in most of my products.

Now, let me just say this up front. I know that there are oils and butters in my list. For the sake of ease, I grouped them all together. Oils are usually liquid at room temp, butters are usually solid. There is a lot more to it then that, but I'm going to just over simplify for now.

Oils I use:

• Olive Oil: is the oil extracted from tree-ripened olives.
• Rice Bran Oil: the oil extracted from the hard outer brown layer of rice after chaff (rice husk) has been removed.
• Sweet Almond Oil: oil that comes exclusively from edible almonds (Prunus amygdalus var. dulcis) selectively cultivated for their sweet taste.
• Apricot Kernel Oil: Oil pressed from the Apricot kernel.
• Castor Oil: obtained by pressing the seeds of the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis)Here is a picture of Castor pods.
• Avocado Oil:  an edible oil pressed from the fruit of the Persea americana (avocado).
• Argan Oil: is a plant oil produced from the kernels of the argan tree (Argania spinosa L.) that is endemic to Morocco.
• Tallow: is a rendered form of beef or mutton fat, processed from suet.
• Cocoa Butter: is a pale-yellow, edible vegetable fat extracted from the cocoa bean.
• Shea Butter: is an off-white or ivory-colored fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa).
• Coconut Oil: is an edible oil extracted from the kernel or meat of mature coconuts harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera).
• Mango Butter: is a seed oil extracted from the stone of the fruit of the Mango (Mangifera indica).

Each had it's own amazing properties which are to many to list here. I hope to delve into more detail and highlight some of them in later posts. 

Oils I'm dying to try:

• Jojoba Oil: is the liquid produced in the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) plant, a shrub, which is native to southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico.
• Kokum Butter: comes from the seeds of the kokum tree (Garcinia indica). This fruit-bearing tree is also known as the wild mangosten tree. 
• Macadamia Oil: is the non-volatile oil expressed from the nut meat of the macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) tree, a native Australian nut.

There are a lot of oils and butters our there that I probably haven't even heard of. I know a few that  I have heard of, like Emu oil, don't interest me as much, because of the name. But, I plan on doing research into them anyway. Would hate to miss out on an amazing oil just because of the name.

What oils have you tried that were exotic and wild? What is you favorite oil for soaping or general care?

My trip to Lush

I recently got the oportunity to visit a Lush store near me. I first came across Lush products in my many hours of Youtubing (is that really a verb? Youtubing?). From videos of their amazing bath bombs and bubble bars, to people raving about their scents and shapes, I watched them all. I also enjoyed watching their YouTube channel about how they made their product.

The nearest Lush store from where I live is in the Willowbrook Mall. Now, I don't often go to the mall. It's not extremely close to me. I do a lot of online shopping and whatever else I need, groceries, cloting, etc., I can get within about a 5 mile radius of my house. The Mall is not in my usual repetruar. And to be honest, the thought of going into a store with all these yummy, pretty things with 6 pairs of curious hands just itching to touch and smell was more then  a little overwhelming. So, I kept the idea of a visit on the back burner. BUT, one day last month I was out by myself to meet some customers for coffee and just happened to be next to the Mall. Of course, I seized the oportunity to head on over to Lush. All by myself. :)

I must say, it was not what I was expecting. Adn that is not a bad thing. As I walked in, I was greated warmly and asked if I'd ever been there before. Then I was encoureaged to  touch and smell anything I wanted and to ask questions. I started in the Bath Bomb and bubble bars/ macaroon section. Bright beautiful colors and a wide array of scent options, to say the least. I was surprised though, at the scent selection. I had assumed that because it was all colorful and glittery, that there would be more fruity, bakery scents. But these were all more earthy and natural.  Very essential oily (there I go again, making upswords). Some were amazing. Some, to me, just plain stinky.

The 2 generous samples. 

I went on to the bath jellies and conditioners, the lotion bars and scrubs. At this point some of the ladies that worked there came over to demo the lotion bar and give me an arm massage. It was awesome! Then came the hair care products, including gems, conditioners and shampoo bars. Last, but not least, I looked at their face maskk bar. They had a whole bar of fresh masks, made daily, that they would demo for you. From rose petals to fresh garlic, you name, they probably use it!

After asking a few more questions and painstakingly narrowing my selection, I opted for a Frozen Bath Bomb and a Rose Jam Bubbleroon. 

As I checked out the young lady remebered that we had talked about a certain scent and product and offered to send me home with a sample of two of them. Color me.impressed! It was a generous sample and hand labeled, right there in from of me. I was so excited to get to try my newest purchases. 

Now, I have to laugh at my husband's reaction to this whole shopping trip. I think, like me, he had a certain fragrance profile in mind. He liked the rose jam fragrance, but couldn't wrap his head around why I would choose an old lady smell, in the Frozen Bath Bomb. Too funny!

Two things I took away from my visit were:

1) Their products are highly scented. If you don't like strong smells, this is not the place for you. On the flip side, you really feel you get bang for you buck. 

2) They products look handmade. This is part of what Lush stands for, and you really see it. No bath bomb is perfect without seems and not every bubbkebar is an identical shape. It carries it's handcrafted beauty. Refreshing to see it's not all cookie cutter perfection.  

Mom Was Right

Mother's are full of great advise, ideas and always on the lookout for their kids. My mom is no different. She is a very gifted person who has a great artistic flare. It's not a surprise where I get some of my artistry from. My Mom has been one of the greatest supporters of my business and is always ready to be a tester of new products.
 As I was getting into bath bombs and raving about how fun they are, how amazing my skin felt, etc, my mom was dying to get her hands on one. Now there is a small hick up, as my mom lives in Costa Rica, where I grew up, and alas, has no bath tub. But as soon as she made a trip to visit, she indulged in a nice hot bath with a bath bomb in hand. She emerged, singing the praises of her experience. From there she started wishing long and hard that she could experience that luxury at home. But then again, she doesnt' have a bath tub. She does, however give herself a pedicure every Saturday in a small foot soaking pail.  What she really could use would be a bath bomb just the right size for her foot soak. Enter the Pedi Bomb.

I tried making a small round bath bomb with the small ends of two easter eggs, to get a round bomb, but those were too flimsy to hold up to molding. Then I decided the shape didnt' have to be round and I ended up moling them into small squares. I scenting them in Peppermint Eucalyptus, Lavender and Lemongrass. I then found some cute glass jars at Tuesday Morning and set them up with little paper sacks so cutomers could self serve how ever many they wanted, just like a candy bar. These have been a huge success! From people that want to try a bath bomb but don't want to invest in a full size one to others, like my mom, that don't take baths often or at all. I had several people buy them for their elderly relatives and then package them for Christmas with everything needed for a diy pedicure. I loved that idea!

Next time Mom came for a visit, I had a huge stash of Pedi Bombs just waiting for her to take home. Upon her retun home, I was begailed with pictures of her spa set up with her glass plate display for her bombs and tales of wonderful aromas greeting her at every soak.

So, as you can see, even as a grown adult, it pays to listen to Mom. She has a lot of great ideas, and I never have to worry about her intentions. After all, she is my Mommy.

Me, my Mom and my daughter.

A Family Affair

 As a small business owner, my day to day working of my business looks a whole lot different than most businesses do. One of the advantages of being in business for yourself is that you set your own hours and pace.  For me and my business, being able to work Soap Doctor Soaps around my family’s choice in lifestyle and routine is a huge plus. I am not against rearranging my schedule for a great business opportunity when needed, but my favorite part, is being able to incorporate my family into my business. Here are a few ways that I get them involved:


1) Product Packaging: Free labor! Woo hoo! Before a big craft show or event, my family comes together to help with packaging. From putting soaps and bath bombs in shrink wrap bags to heat sealing and loading up supplies, my family is involved. I usually put the labels on myself, as these need to at least be somewhat straight for me to be happy. Gathering around the kitchen table with a couple hundred bath bombs or soaps has been a highlight of prepping for craft show.

Soap anyone?

2) Sales Force: In most cases, I have 1-2 of my kids with me at all times. And craft shows are no exception. From the baby strapped in an Ergo on my chest, to the older kids talking to and enticing customers, it is truly a family affair. Having a cute baby for people to stop and ogle is never a bad sales technique, either. And as for my older kids, the fact that they can tell you what a soap saver is, how to use a bath bomb and the benefits of a particular soap, is always a huge draw. Countless times I've had people comment about how they just had to buy that soap because my daughter or son sold them on it. And in return, my children are learning about communication, interacting with people of all ages and personality types, and learning the importance of knowing your trade.



3) Naming Products: I have a process I often follow in naming my products. But every once in a while, I am just truly stuck. In those cases, I enjoy turning to my children to help me brainstorm names. It is so rewarding to see their creative juices flowing as they formulate names or even packaging ideas! What a great opportunity for them to employ marketing techniques without even knowing it. One such product was a soap made with a very popular fragrance oil called Monkey Farts. I really had no desire whatsoever to have a soap with the word fart in the title, so I went to my kids with the conundrum. My oldest son won the naming game with Monkey Fruit Toots. It has been a very popular soap, not only for the great fruity smell, but people love the name.



4) Market Research: I need look no further than my growing brood for ideas of products for kids. They have inspired many products. Some have come from my observation of their choice in toys and others from direct requests. One inspired by observation was the Mystery Bath Bomb. This one came from watching their complete and utter fascination with Super Mario Bros. I must confess that in my childhood, I myself was a fan and pretty good at it to boot. So, a bath bomb with a surprise toy inside, painted in question marks to simulate a mystery box, was not a far stretch. Lego men in bath bombs? No problem.  Requests have ranged from a particular fragrance to soaps shaped like cars or hearts. They are a wealth of ideas.

Vroom Vroom Soap: my sons requested item.

5) Motivation: My family are my reason for being in business. Not only do I wish to provide them with a financial benefit, but also with the opportunity to see that if you have a dream and you put in the hours, success is achievable. There is not just one way to do things, but you are free to think outside the box, as long as you do so in a responsible way. Maybe my kids will grow up to be entrepreneurs or have a business degree. Maybe not. But more importantly then what title they may hold, for me, is to instill in them a good work ethic. Whatever they may put their hand to, if they will work with diligence, honor and a good attitude, they will go far. That is one thing that I try to model for them in business. The dollar amount is not as important as being honest and straightforward. Hard work is more beneficial than a quick buck.

Our little family has enjoyed the many benefits of being in business. This is something that we have to work at to keep what is important to us at the forefront. But it has most certainly been a very rewarding experience. I am so very grateful to live in a land of opportunity. I am truly blessed.

Soaping with 4 kids: how do you do it?

As you can probably imagine, life with kids is fun, fast paced, complicated, adventurous, chaotic and never, ever predictable. When I first started soaping, I was only doing a few batches every once in a while, and I would make sure all the kids were safely upstairs with their Daddy before I started. Then I would get all things done, cleaned up and put away before they were allowed to come down. But as things progressed into business, I now needed to be able to produce in larger quantities and volume. So, waiting until after they were in bed, or Dad was home, was not always an option. Plus, bringing in and putting away all the supplies from the garage was a real workout! Not no mention time consuming, and time was my most precious commodity. Even more important to me, was making sure that my kids were safe. Lye is a chemical and it is to be respected. I wanted to make sure I was being wise when it came to my kids.

As it turns out, we don't have any furniture in our dinning room. We do have a cabinet that is used to store school curriculum, but for the most part, we use the dinning room as a play room. So my husband built a removable wall across the largest entrance to the dinning room, and we installed a baby gate in the doorway leading to the kitchen. I now have my studio where I can make my soaps and other products where the kids aren't in danger and my products aren't in danger. There have been times where I am half way through making something and need to stop to take care of a booboo or intervene in a sibling rivalry. I can safely leave my products behind locked gate and not fret that the kids can get into it. If you follow me on YouTube, you sometimes hear my kids in the background. But rest assured, they are no where near any products with could be harmful. Also, having the space available to me allows for me to prep ahead of time my oils, lye water, etc and then when the kids go to bed or down for a nap, or I get some time, I'm good to go.

I promise that in the very near future I will give you all a tour of my soaping room or soaping studio as I like to call it. Hope you all have a safe, productive day!

Here is one of the videos in which you can hear my kids living life. :)

Craft Shows: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Ok, so maybe there is no such thing as an ugly craft show, but I liked the title. This post is not going to be a how to on craft shows, because I don't believe my experience is really vast enough to provide any kind of insight on that matter. Rather, I'd like to share my favorite and not so favorite craft show.

Let me start out by saying that I am a people person. Good thing, huh? I mean, in my line of business, you kinda have to be ok with people in general. But seriously, I enjoy people. They energize me. So, craft shows are, for the most part, a fun adventure where I get the chance to meet and interact with all kinds of different people. From other venders to customers, I look forward to the chance to get to know others.

Last year, from the launch of my business around June through the end of the year in December, I attended about 12-15 different craft shows or events. Some were a smashing success, some were a total and utter flop. But, all in all, it was a great learning process. I knew there was going to be a learning curve, and I jumped in with both feet and a positive attitude. As far as my display, well, starting out I didn't have much money to buy all the things I knew I wanted or needed to make it look the way I desired, but for me, it was more important to get out there and the perfect set up would come with time.

Soap Doctor Soaps first craft show.

For my display, I took my wooden soap loaf molds, laid them upside-down, stacked them and then covered them with a piece of fabric. My soaps didn't sit flat, so if you bumped the table, they would topple. It was a fun balancing act. I made my signs out of a fence post that I cut into pieces, sanded and painted with chalk paint. Colorful chalk pens, a few plate stand from Hobby Lobby, a table cloth and I had my display. This first show was one of those that was a total bust. There was little to no foot traffic and on the way home, we blew a tire on my van. So, even the little sales I had made were spent on a new tire. But, I had fun! I enjoyed chatting with the other vendors around me and I learned a lot about the importance of eye contact, a smile and a hello. Most people stopped at my table only after I had engaged them. Yes, there were those that avoided looking me in the eye at all costs, but hey, that was ok by me.








I also learned about outdoors and summer in Houston. If you are from around here you are smiling because you know exactly what I'm about to say. If you aren't, well, let me paint a picture for you. It's hot here. No, not mildly hot or only hot when there isn't a breeze. It's HOT. Try 103 in the shade and stifling. After one all day outside event during the summer, I swore I'd not do that again. It was torture. Chock that one up to that learning curve.







My next display upgrade came in the form of wooden crates which I turned into display boxes. I found them at Home Depot and my husband installed shelves in them. A coat of blue paint later, and I was feeling like I had won the lottery. The wood I used for the shelves inside the crates was from a dismantled baby changing table a neighbor was getting rid of. Have I mentioned before how I love to reuse and recycle? Maybe not. But I do. A lot. I have been known to throw the kids in the car and cruise the neighborhood on trash day just in case I find something that can be upcycled. Another thing that got upgraded was my bath bomb display. As Christmas neared and my bath bomb sales began to rise, I needed more display room. So, I found a collapsible shelf at a garage sale, got some plastic bins at Dollar Tree, spray painted the lot of it, and voala! New bomb stand complete. Who says you have to spend tons of money?! I'm not saying my stuff looks extremely high end or anything. But it serves its purpose without breaking the bank. And that way, as my sales increase, I can upgrade little by little. Don't let the fact that you can't afford the vision in your head keep you from chasing the dream that is there. Be creative. Think outside the box. Use Pinterest. :)

Farmers Market and my new display set up.

But, my favorite thing of all, like I mentioned before, are the people. Several have stuck with me and I cherish the fact that I got to be a part of their lives, if it was even for a moment.
One was a lady that came to the farmers market one day. She was in her early to mid-sixties and she was looking at the soaps. She then confessed that she was going to buy one for her boyfriend. She turned a beautiful shade of pink as she breathlessly said that that was the first time she had said those words out loud. She went on to share with me that after being a widow for several years, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart and they had picked up where they had left off so many years ago. The sparkle in her eye, the spring in her step, those things you could see as she walked along. But the why for those two, I only learned because of my interaction with her over soap. What a gift.
Another was a family that visited my booth every event I had from November through December. They were addicted to my bath bombs. Outgoing and full of life, I enjoyed stories of family interactions, pedicures and the ins and outs of raising a pig for show at the FFA. I looked forward to seeing them each time I attended an even in their area. I know for me, I got so much more out of each encounter then the cash for my products.

So, as my busy season for craft shows comes around again, I look forward to my next brainstorm in display ideas. And even so much more, to the pptential of people met, stories told and memories that will be made in the process.