resources for soapmaking business

disclosure: this post features Amazon Associate affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product via one of these links, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. This helps support this site and does not affect the price you pay.

just like yoga to pole dancing, hula to poi, and skateboarding to surfing… there is a soapmaking to candlemaking pipeline. something so satisfying about falling in love with a craft or hobby that comes with an interesting cousin. this list may contain resources for soap making, lotion bars, and candlemaking. the common factor for this particular craft are beeswax, oils, product receptacles/packaging, and value of function.

Resources:
Pure Soapmaking by Anne-Marie Faiola
Simple & Natural Soapmaking by Jane Berry
Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps by Jane Berry
(I often visit Jane Berry’s blog for inspiration)
Grow Your Handmade Business by Kari Chapin
(crazy good guide on craft business structure)
The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin
(general craft business knowledge, amazing resource!)
2021 Essential Oil Recipe Book by Katie Veldkamp
(founder of Simply Earth essential oils- which I use in my products!!)
Beeswax Alchemy by Petra Ahnert
(full of beeswax history and personal touches- love the master salve recipe)
Native American Herbalist’s Bible by Awenasa Sandoval
(you cannot make any kind of healing claims with your products! learning about ingredients used in soapmaking is vital)
The Artist’s Way Starter Kit by Julia Cameron
(being a Creative requires discipline, this is an amazing program that has benefited my life beyond words)
The Creative Act: a way of being by Rick Rubin
(seriously, if you want to live a whimsical and creative life, structure is key)
On My Own Two Feet a girls guide to personal finance by Manisha Thakor
(very easy read , I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re not outsourcing financial guidance)
Two Weeks Notice by Amy Porterfield
(finding the right mindset and structure to move from a 9-5 to business founder- must read for anyone wanting to start their own business)
The 12 Week Year by Brian P Moran
(the gist of this difficult read was implementing 12 week projects and goals, instead of 12 month)
Building a Wellness Business that Lasts by Rick Sollmeyer
(cofounder of MindBody, excellent business resource for anyone in the health and wellness industry)

and finally..

Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild

I will update this list as I go! Thank you so much for tuning in.

why I am not a fitness influencer

I have been in the fitness industry off and on for a decade, on all sides. Front desk girl, client, class participant, sister to the gym daycare teacher, and now I am the personal trainer. Several times a week I host a live session from my living room. I build fitness plans every week. I have stacks of 5 subject notebooks full of original routines; piles of books that have been eagerly consumed. special interest? hyperfocus? you betcha.

sure, I am certified. AFPA-certified personal trainer. I am studying yoga under My Vinyasa Practice. nutrition classes through AFPA. business classes through ISSA. to keep most of these certificates active, continuing education classes or retesting is necessary. science evolves daily, most fitness professionals either have to constantly update their knowledge or fall behind the times.

collecting certificates like trinkets.

Since COVID, working remotely was and still is the best option for our family. making silly videos with filters is easy. posting myself in gym clothes at any angle to be openly judged by others never felt like a safe place.

I’ve seen the sweetest of fitness girls get destroyed in comment sections. I’ve witnessed the best of young men put their bodies through strenuous training to compete only to be called disgusting in passing. yeah yeah it sounds biased and trivial; bc it is my experience that I’m basing the decision on, what’s it matter to you then? ;)

soooo many people have come forward with, ‘Shannon, make videos, all you have to do is record yourself and post it! you’re doing it anyway.’

do you know how many middle-aged, genetically small, long brown-haired women are exercising on social media and private platforms? the market is drenched. needing equipment and infinite time to record and edit video… it just doesn’t seem like a practical fit for me at this time.

maybe one day when the kids are older; I don’t want to put myself into a ‘I’ll never do that’ box. it does look like a lot of creative fun. for now, I am going to stick to building relationships and driving results with current clients… continue to branch out and get a firm foundation in brand identity and business.

if you’re interested in personal training sessions, you can learn more about them on the services page or book a free consultation. the client log is kept small to allow scheduling changes, personal accommodations, and daily time spent per client. I come with references!

simply earth eo’s

use code SHANNONH5053 for a $50 voucher on the monthly subscription box at simply earth.

non-mlm essential oil brand | family owned

having been what’s now called ‘green-washed,’ I used mlm based essential oils before knowing any better. back around 2015 I was approached by a friend who sold doterra. I immediately read up on the subject and blindly thought nothing of the fact that I was being way overcharged and misled. it was a big bright new world for me to obsess over.

I diffused, made roller bottle blends, I added it to lotions, I even remember drinking some of them in water.

then the YL came and my SIL dipped her toes in. I had a new supply.

around 2019 or so a friend approached me about working for a massive online store, melaleuca. having just moved into our first owned home, we got a huge box delivered. oils, cleaners of all kinds, vitamins, you name it. at the time, I didn’t even try to sell it. everyone knew what a pyramid scheme looks like. boss babes and cult-like faith in product.

if you have it in yourself to find pyramid marketing a morally neutral activity then good for you. I just can’t do it anymore.

I have always loved the crunchy way of life and knew a real source of eo’s was necessary. the hunt was cut short when I realized there were still very few options to chose from.

I found simply earth, I fell in love with it (of course I did). its a family owned business that started because of stinky feet :) They do charity work in the fight against human trafficking: donating profits to aid against human trafficking and bringing awareness to the realities of sex workers.

they offer themed monthly subscription boxes that always come loaded with information and freebies.

If you would like to sign up for a themed monthly subscription box at simply earth, use code SHANNONH5053 for a $50 voucher.

Underarm Refresh Recipe

making this literally feels like I am doing magic.

underarm refresh spray recipe:

50ml distilled water
5g baking soda
30-45 drops of essential oil (I use a mix of patchouli, sandalwood, ylang ylang, sweet orange, lavender, and absolute rose oils)
2-3ml natural solubilizer (I recommend simply earth)
2-3ml germall preservative

instructions: combine ingredients in a measuring cup, stir until baking soda absorbs into water. if you also like to feel magical, add the solubilizer last ;). there may be some baking soda left on the bottom, this is ok. pour into spray bottle, use as needed. avoid shaking and gently swirl to prohibit bubbling. if you’re skin is super sensitive, reduce the drops of essential oils. Feel free to use floral waters in place of distilled water.

disclaimer: using baking soda on the under arm area may change the ph levels of the skin, causing irritation. this can be avoided by washing in between uses and reducing sprays per use.


as many of my friends and family know… I stopped wearing commercial deodorants… while living in rural Louisiana… in the middle of sweltering humidity. the detox was bad. my children asking me not to hug them; my sisters rolling down the car window when we went out. I eventually went on to have no body odor at all coming from my under arms. even now, when gardening or bathing dogs… Jacob still claims that I don’t have any body odor.

I do exercise regularly, bathe dogs weekly, garden annually, sit in my car waiting on my children to complete extra curriculars… I know that there must (ha), there must be a smell. coins. outdoors. dirty wash cloth. whatever.

I needed something besides hand sanitizer, lemon juice or a wet naps to refresh.

I tried roller bottles, slaves, balms and settled on a spray. Cleansing, toning, treating, waxing, dermabrasion.

I now use wax sheets from the drug store to remove hair (sometimes hehehehe), goat’s milk soap to cleanse, lemon juice to tone, and this spray to help me smell good.

the blend of oils that I use in my personal spray are listed above. I find the scent to be sweet and woodsy. like a gentle musk. Jacob says it's too sweet for him, reducing/removing the rose and/or lavender will lower the floral aromas.

the swap was an easy choice. I know that breast cancer runs in my family. even though I do not personally have the BRCA gene, doc said it could still happen to anyone.

aluminum is a common ingredient in most commercial deodorants.

you can read about that here.

Rose Bath Soak Recipe

disclaimer: this blog contains affiliate links.

Herbal Bath Soak

ingredients:
5lb epsom salt or magnesium (buy here or here)
3 cups organic rose petals (I usually go for this brand)
4 tablespoons sweet almond oil
2 tablespoons colloidal oats
1 tablespoon rose absolute oil
40 drops ylang ylang eo
10 drops clary sage eo
germall natural preservative (to prevent molding of organic material)

this recipe is customizable. you can use any mix of herbals and oils for to make bath salts, soaks, and teas. it makes 5-6 one pound containers (depending on the amount of petals/herbs you use).

instructions:
mix oils and preservative in a small bowl.
mix epsom salt, petals/herbs, colloidal oats, and sea salt in a large bowl.
dump your oil and preservative mixture into your dry ingredient bowl.
stir gently with wooden spoon until combined.
separate into your air tight containers.

tips:
sometimes less expensive brands of epsom salt have extra ingredients. use cation and check ingredient list when deciding to use epsom salt vs magnesium.

mixing your oil and preservative mixture with the rose petals, before adding it to the salt, can decrease stir time.

organic ingredients are crucial for this. which adds to the price tag, I know. the point of all of this is to detox from chemicals, right? why bathe in them.

you can use regular oats for this, I recommend putting them into a blender, reducing them to powder form. using colloidal oats will ensure you’re getting top quality products and possible benefits!

sweet almond oil is made of tree nuts. if you do have a tree nut allergy, I recommend using organic jojoba oil.

I charge $15 per 1lb container. this is enough to cover overhead expense plus interest for the card you charged. ok byeeee. thank you. byeee.

disclaimer from my husband: get a overflow cover and a drain cover to prevent organic materials from clogging your pipes! wipe tub out immediately after bathing to prevent tub staining. ye be warned!