Growing Your Handmade Soap Hustle (Read: Expensive Hobby) into More Than a Side Gig (Also Known as a Real Business) is Hard.
You don't have to do it alone.
In fact, that's exactly why we're here.
If someone asked your friends and family to describe you, the word soap would inevitably come up. You got bit by the lather bug. And you have so much soap laying around, it could be coming out of your ears, for all you know!
Strangers randomly comment about how nice you smell (duh). Also, your spouse complains about how much you spend on soapmaking supplies. (Hey, those memes about hiding UPS shipments didn’t come out of left field.)
If only you could figure out how to turn your passion into profit, have your customers singing your praises, and start moving some of these mountains of soap. Am I right?!
Whether you are standing over the soap pot as a hobby, starting a soap business of your very own, or working away in the trenches of small business ownership, chances are that you:
◾️ wish you had someone who knew what #soaplife was like so you could lean on them for support
◾️ regularly throw soap and business ideas against the wall, crossing your fingers, hoping something sticks
◾️ read up on ALL THE THINGS online, only to realize that most folks don’t know what the heck they are talkin’ about
How’d I know? Because I’ve been there, done that – and I’ve got the damn t-shirt.
But here’s why you are a little different than most folks (namely, all those people who keep doing the same thing and hoping for a different result):
You are a badass human being who can do incredibly amazing things. Simply because you are a soapmaker. Let’s face it: you take two materials (oil and water) that hate each other and turn them into functional works of art. Who else does that?
You know that to see results, you have to do the work and put in the time. That’s all there is to it. A business doesn’t build itself, and it certainly doesn’t see overnight success. Success is just the tip of the freakin’ iceberg, and you’re building a glacier over there.
You will find the answers to all your burning business questions and turn those piles of soap into piles of money. With the right resources, right frame of mind, and plenty of hard work, you know that you can be one successful soap slinger – you just gotta figure it out.
When it comes right down to it, you’re already on your way. Or else you wouldn’t be here!
Just like you, oh so many years ago, I was digging away at building my own soapy empire. I had started my own soap company so I could stay home with my two littles. Also, I had to get free from corporate nonsense. (Sounding familiar?)
With a metric crap-ton of experience in running a service-based business, I tried anything and everything I could to make my business work for me. I worked my tail off to get my production processes as efficient as possible. (Time is money, friend.) In addition, I massaged the heck out of my branding and product line and pricing, so I could turn a pretty profit and help support my family.
Every year, I smashed sales goals. And learned a whole heck of a lot about running a product-based business in the meantime.
When I met other soapmakers, I was excited to compare strategies and talk shop. In 2012, I even started hosting an annual conference for soapmakers in the midwest. Despite being overwhelmed with doubt in my own business, I quickly had a realization. I wasn’t so bad at this running a soap business thing after all. In fact, I was doing pretty damn good.
In 2013, I decided it was high time for me to step up to the plate and start sharing with soapmakers online. On February 1st, 2014, I launched Modern Soapmaking as a side project to help soapmakers in their craft and business, with a blog full of free recipes and a single product based around a talk I gave at a couple of conferences: Efficiency in Scaling.
Modern Soapmaking quickly outgrew the “side project” state of mind and became my full-time job that beats the pants off of anything else I’ve ever done.
So, that brings us to right here, right now.
It’s time for you to build the biz you always wanted, turn passion into profit, and follow your own success path.
And I’m right here, ready and waiting, to help you make that happen.
Want to know more about me, personally?
Tallyho! I’m Kenna, the owner and founder of Modern Soapmaking. I started making soap in 2004 as a hobby, and I spent years perfecting my techniques, formulas, and knowledge.
I owned and operated Amathia Soapworks from 2010 to 2013. Afterward, I decided to create Modern Soapmaking and my side project, Gratitude Soapery (changing the world with suds? Yes please!)
Since then, I’ve sold Gratitude Soapery so it can continue to live on in the hands of another fabulous soapmaker while I can focus 100% on giving you and Modern Soapmaking my all.
I freakin' love soapmaking and I love seeing other soapmakers succeed - so much so, I've made it my mission.
I hosted Central Soapers Workshop, an annual conference for soap makers in the central United States for three years straight. In April 2013, I started publishing ebooks to offer a helping hand to other soap makers around the world. Not to toot any horns, but I’ve been published in The Saponifier (now Making Soap Magazine), guest posted for Soap Queen (and interviewed, too!), as well as other industry publications. Here are just a few of my favs:
◾️ Soap Queen – Chatting with Kenna of Modern Soapmaking
◾️ Oh, My! Handmade – Keeping Your Creative Ideas in Check
◾️ Sparklefly Candle Company – Spotlight on Modern Soapmaking
◾️ Soap Queen – Defying the Rules of Soapmaking
◾️ Handmade Soap Coach – Interview with Kenna of Modern Soapmaking
◾️ Patreon – How to Learn From and Love Your Critics
◾️ Podcasts: The Fresh Rag Show, Memberup, The Consulting Pipeline, Patreon
From the East coast to the West Coast, I’ve spoken at conferences and taught soapmaking classes across the country, including these highlights:
◾️ SOAPCAMP at Handmade Soap Coach Studio, New Jersey (2015, 2018)
◾️ Back to Biz Bootcamp, Arizona (2015)
◾️ Florida Soapcrafter’s Gathering (2015)
◾️ The Nova Studio (2015, 2016, 2017)
◾️ Central Soapers Workshop (2013, 2014, 2015)
◾️ The Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetics Guild Conference (2014, 2017)
◾️ Alabama Soap & Candle Association Meeting (2014, 2016)
In the “real” world, you’ll find me with my camera in hand in the great outdoors, gaming with my husband, reading non-fiction, and homeschooling my daughters.
I live in a teeny, tiny house on wheels (a converted school bus that we built ourselves) that could be anywhere in the country at this given moment. Yes, that’s six people (and a not-pictured puppy) in 280 square feet. We’re not crazy… promise!
I have an extreme weakness for caramel frappucinos, organic citrus-infused chocolate, electronic music, nail polish, and working at 3 am. Because let’s be frank, that’s when kids are asleep. (85% of the time, anyways...)
It's not enough to be "not racist."
We must do better.
We must be actively anti-racist in our professional and personal lives to change how society works. Black soapmakers, Indigenuous soapmakers, and soapmakers of color deserve an equal opportunity to live freely, make money, and follow their dreams. Read our anti-racism pledge, see what we are doing, & find out how you can join us in closing the gap.
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