So what do I actually do?

I come up with the original concept and design and fragrance of every product, I make test batches which I test on myself and willing volunteers.

I then get each product tested and safety assessed.

Then the products get made by me.

I design and print all the product labels and source & design wrapping for my soaps.

My other ‘jobs’:

* Researching suppliers to ensure their cruelty free status and animal testing policies.
* Sourcing and buying organic, fairly traded, local, cruelty free ingredients.
* Purchasing jars, tins, paper, labels and everything else associated with the business.
* Stock control.
* Making each soap in small batches of 80 to ensure they are highest quality. * I hand pour each batch. When they have set, I hand cut and stamp them.
* Lots of washing up!
* I make every face cream, cleanser, hand cream, body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and all other products by hand.
* I then fill the jars and tins and label each one by hand.

When I’m not making products my other jobs are:

* Website creation and maintenance.
* Product promotion.
* Sourcing outlets to sell the products in.
* Stocking, restocking and maintaining my outlets.
* Social media marketing.
* Creating original posts and images/memes to promote the business.
* Scheduling posts, writing blogs, writing the newsletter.
* Accounts, budgeting, targets, invoicing.
* Wages, book keeping, tax returns.
* Data analysys & market research.
* Customer service, answering emails & enquiries, doing skincare consultations to ensure customers get the right products.

Not bad for a “hobby”

What have I’ve learned in 10 years?

Running your own business alone, especially one making soap is bloody hard work!

They say that starting your own business means working 80 hours a week for half the wages so you don’t have to work 40 hours for someone else to line their pockets.

If I had to do it all over again now I probably wouldn’t! I think I’d prefer the security and safety of working for someone else.  But that’s the menopausal 55 year old me 10 years down the line.

When I first started my business I was all fired up and keen to break new ground and discover new territory.  Now I’d do anything for a quiet life!

But I’ve never been a quitter. Just because times are tough and you fall out of love with your business sometimes, it’s no reason to throw in the towel.  Tough times never last but tough people do!

Change is on the way for me tho with the training I’m doing in wellness, nutrition, resilience and mindfulness and I’m looking forward to switching things up and doing something a bit different.

To see the products I make and read more about the business click here

Lots of love
Sue xxx