Odette Handly is the owner of Riverlea Soap and makes these realistic and adorable cupcake soaps. I love ’em to pieces!
Anne-Marie: How long have you been making soap?
Odette: I am self taught but have only been making for about 3 years. I studied Fashion design and worked as a fashion buyer and then worked for myself making wedding dresses and ball gowns. But I broke my vertebra in my lower back and was told by the surgeon that I would be unable to sit for long periods of time. The recovery time for a back operation is LONG. This is a problem if you sew. I then needed a backup plan to make money after the operation. Something I could do standing up – I found a book that my sister had bought me on making soap and that was the beginning. I have not looked back. Every day brings something new with exciting ideas.
Anne-Marie: Your cupcake soap is incredible! What’s your top selling flavor of cupcake soap?
Odette: Pink floral outsells anything else by far with Lavender a close second.
Anne-Marie: What is your number one business goal for the remainder of 2010?
Odette: To improve sales/exposure in Johannesburg and Cape Town – the two biggest cities in South Africa. I have just recently started selling there and I need to concentrate more on those areas.
Anne-Marie: Thanks Odette and keep up the good work!
