Starting a Soaping Business didn't happen overnight.
Have you ever been intrigued by something you wished you could do only to end up doing more research than taking action? This is basically how I started soap making and began my journey into the Soaping Business.
Fear is only the lack of understandingRonda Kahler
When I first decided I wanted to make soap, I read article after article and watched so many YouTube videos that I was full of soap data, yet I could not bring myself to make that first batch. I had the information but I hardly understood in a way that I could use it.
For about two years I sat back and observed. There was so much material on soap making that I often became overloaded. Taking into account that the market is simply flooded with soap makers, how could I even compete?
I learned so much and I became an expert at critiquing other’s mistakes. Let’s face it, there are many talented people out there, and there are also many that make it hard for good soapers to be trusted. However, I still failed to begin my soap making journey. Who am I to judge? At least they are trying. What is my excuse?
"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence. Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear. Perhaps the action you take will be successful; perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow. But any action is better than no action at all."
Norman Vincent Peale
I went from articles about safety to videos about soap failures, which were very inspiring, but were also the very things holding me back. I won’t “lye”, some of the stuff I ran into scared the pants off of me!
One day I had a breakthrough and decided to revisit the entire idea altogether, but this time I would pace myself and only retain what I knew I needed. It took more time and patience but it worked!
Safety is important, such as gear and procedures when dealing with lye, but it was not the big bad wolf that I felt was lurking around every corner.
After my first batch of soap, I was hooked and safety was not this huge obstacle that I had to jump hurdles to obtain. Common sense and Good Manufacturing Practices were all I needed.
Once I had a few items that I knew would protect me from soap burns, and I knew and UNDERSTOOD the steps to make soap, I was cured of my SAFETY FEAR.
Lye was no longer an unavoidable scary part of the process, but rather I respected it for what I knew it could do if handled improperly… and what I could make when using it correctly!
"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."
Margaret Mead
What do I make soap out of? I need a recipe! How do I create one? At first, I had no idea how to solve these questions. Thankfully, I like math and it all came down to numbers.
Knowing the numbers was not enough. You have to understand how the numbers work. You can tailor any recipe to fit any mold size, and that is what opens the doors to limitless creative potential, with understanding.
So now I know what I need, how much I need, and what I need to do with it, but OMG have you seen the beautiful soaps that people make? How can I ever compare? Plus they are already making money!
"A diamond doesn't start out polished and shining. It once was nothing special, but with enough pressure and time, becomes spectacular. I'm that diamond."
Solange Nicole
I doubted my worth once I saw the work of others. In truth, I was a little bit green with envy. This was the biggest hang-up going forward until I realized, everyone has their own unique style and brand. I simply needed to find mine. I wasn’t jealous of what these soapers could create. In a way, I wanted to do what they did - I wanted to be as good as they are!
I could do it too in my own way. AND I DID!
"Do not be like the cat who wanted a fish but was afraid to get his paws wet."
William Shakespeare
OK, no time like now to make soap. Oh, wait! Can I? Am I ready?
Yes, I can and I did. I made soap, which began my Soaping Business.
The very first test I did was solid purple and smelled like grapes. I was so proud that I had finally made soap and it went so smoothly. Or so I thought. It was the worst soap I ever saw. It overheated and resulted in a hard brittle mess.
Good news! That didn’t stop me. I knew I could do it again and again until I got it right.
I had gone through the trials of gathering what I needed to know and actually stepped up, taking the plunge.
With a few failed recipes and oil combinations, I nailed it. I am so thankful I didn’t give up on myself and continued to press through. Knowledge was a great thing to have but without the understanding to back it up, it was like my 1st soap, a hard brittle mess. Now I am the proud owner of a Soaping Business.
Go for what intrigues you. You are also worth it and can do it with the right tools and mindset. Gather your knowledge and LEARN what it all means and you will be unstoppable.
I hope this inspires you to chase your dreams and to know, you are worth it!
