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Interview with by Ellie

December 19, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings

Ellie of by Ellie is known for her beautiful and sophisticated cold process soap. She lives in Portugal where she works as an illustrator, designer, and motionographer. Her keen eye for design is apparent in everything she creates from soap to sugar scrubs. Learn more about Ellie in the interview below.

Ellie’s best-selling cold process soap, By the Sea.

How long have you been soaping for and how did you get started?
I’ve been soaping for almost two years. It seems I started yesterday but at the same time, a countless amount of soaps ago. I have learned so much and am still learning.

I started to make soap actually because of my boyfriend. He has oily skin and was always bathing with a “sabão azul” (translated from Portuguese, it means “Blue Soap”). In Portugal, Blue Soap is a traditional soap mostly known for washing clothes by hand. My grandma and mother used to do it and are still doing it.

I didn’t understand anything about soaps at the time, however it seemed that Blue Soap was too harsh for the skin. A few weeks after, I discovered that the Blue Soap has a pH of 11! I was right. With that said, I wanted to buy a good soap for him and I started investigating online. After some days, instead of buying one, I made one myself because I came across Soap Queen’s blog! Since then, I have never stopped.

Left to right: Ellie sprinkling Moonlight Soap with gold mica, finished Moonlight Soap.

What advice would you give to those soapers just starting their businesses?
To make a soap exactly the same as you want it to be is quite an achievement. It can be hard and frustrating at the beginning and you’ll make some or many mistakes. But keep trying, next time it will be better. Failures are never just failures, they are lessons too.

For those who are starting their business: always plan ahead. Before starting my business, my boyfriend helped me to make an Excel page where I could note quantities, prices of materials, amount of time to make each batch, packaging prices, etc., to check if the soap I’ll be making was worth the investment. Starting a business is an investment and you’ll need to spend money to make money. Spend it wisely.

A collection of Ellie’s cold process soaps, including Dark Charcoal, Brown Vanilla, Turquoise Lavender, and Creamy Oatmeal.

What is your favorite type of product to make?
The answer is easy: cold process soap! My favorites to make are for my family with 80% olive oil as we have very dry and sensitive skin. For my mother, I scent with cinnamon fragrance oil, for me I use lavender and bergamot essential oil, and for my sister lemon essential oil. 🙂

What inspires you to create?
So many things…I don’t know where to start. It can be the texture of a tree, a combination of colors in a flower, a painting of Monet, fashion design…

My bestseller By the Sea was inspired by a cake. I have an another soap I called Grandma’s Lemon because of my grandma who always brings me fresh lemons from her fields on Sunday mornings. I love to put a little bit of a story in every soap I make!

Two versions of Ellie’s Grandma’s Lemon Soap.

How did you come up with the name for your business?
That was the most tricky part for me and it took weeks to figure it out. I wanted the name for my business to reflect the care and love I put into my work. My name Aurelie is French and it has a difficult pronunciation for everybody except for the French. I thought about a nickname and I came up with Ellie. By Ellie. I wanted it to express the “handmade” part of the process, so the logo turned out to be my handwriting.

Left to right: Sugar Scrubs, Sakura Blossom Soap

The photos of your products are gorgeous. What photography tips do you have for those wanting to improve their product photos?
Thank you! Photography is so important nowadays, especially if you sell online. I am still trying to figure out which style/type of photography I want. 🙂
I would advise beginners to take a workshop to understand the basics like product compositions, styling, and what you can accomplish with a certain lens. I will not lie, a good camera is essential. Daylight is always welcome and keep it simple.

One essential rule I think is important: keep your soap clean. That’s why we need soap essentially, to keep us clean. In a photography, the soap should express that.

Ellie photographing several batches of her cold process soap.

What is your favorite Bramble Berry product and why?
There are quiet a few, but there is one that stands out: I absolutely love your Black Tea Fragrance Oil. I love the smokiness of it. Oh goodness I love it so much!

Tell us something unusual or unique about yourself!
I am a professional illustrator, designer and motionographer full time.

I illustrate school books and authors books (most of it for children). I work on special effects and video mapping for big events such as concerts and conventions. I love to create images and movement. Like my mother always said, “I am a forever unsatisfied person, I need to create always something new.”

Left to right: The Nymph Soap, White Swan Soap

What are some of your other hobbies and interests?

Soapmaking is at this moment my favorite hobby and business at the same time. My boyfriend is now living in Cape Town, South Africa. When I’m there with him (when I’m not in Portugal lol) I hike those beautiful mountains and do some climbing. I love to read and to play on my PlayStation. During Summer when I’m in Portugal I go diving. During the winter I go snowboarding. What can I say…I love to have fun!

Ellie’s beautiful Cœurs Dorés Soaps, made with shea butter, cocoa butter, and kaolin clay.

What is your number one soaping tip?
Avoid wastes: when you have leftover batter, put it into little molds. It can be for your personal use. You can give them to your friends and family – it will bring happiness! It’s always worth it. 🙂 You can put them together in a little bag and sell them at markets and fairs, or give them as samples!

Have you ever experienced a horrible soapy fail? How did you work through it, and what did you learn?
Yes of course, countless of them! My biggest failure was making this batch of 4Kg (about 8 pounds) of soap with expensive essential oil and I forgot to measure and add one oil to my formula. I realized it when my mold wasn’t filled up. I gave it to my mom for her to wash clothes. I remember I was so frustrated and upset. What did I learn? Never make soap when you are tired.

Left to right: Lovely Lavender Soap, Dark Charcoal Soap.

What do you love most about creating bath and body products?
Cold process soap gives me the opportunity to create a skin-loving natural bar with luxurious and skin-loving ingredients, but I can also turn it into something beautiful. The colors, the shape, the texture, the ingredients are carefully chosen thinking on the relationship between design & function. That’s the beauty of it!

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Craft Fair Tips from Makers Video

November 29, 2017 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

Every market or festival you attend is a learning experience. Vendors learn new ways to decorate their displays, faster ways to assemble them, and what products people want to buy.

We went to the Holiday Festival of the Arts here in Bellingham, WA and asked makers to pass along that knowledge in this video. They share their tips for making your products stand out and decorating your display. They also talk about the advantages of selling at festivals versus online or in stores. It’s a great resource for first-time sellers or those considering whether to give markets a try.

Special thanks to:
Robert with Keene’s Jewelry
Cat with Sea Witch Botanicals
Karma with Karmela Botanica
Sheila with SheRa Creations
Susan with Ebb and Flow Knitwear

Catching Up with Donovan Discovers

November 10, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings

Photo by Stopped Down Studio

To say Donovan Smith has been busy the past four years is a bit of an understatement. The 14-year-old entrepreneur behind Donovan Discovers has been making soap, selling it, and donating a portion of the profits to help homeless people in Albuquerque, NM. He and his mother Casey used to be homeless, so when he started selling soap he made a promise to always give back to those in need. Read more about how he got started in this interview.

People have taken notice of Donovan’s generosity and incredible work ethic. He’s appeared on local TV stations, in newspapers, and even People magazine. This summer he got a call about another interview, but this one was a bit different than the others. Although he thought the interview was for a local TV station, it was actually for Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe. You can watch the full segment here.

Appearing on Returning the Favor
The creators of the show surprised Donovan and Casey with a store, a personal message from Russell Simmons, and a new car. Donovan and Casey were shocked when they found out – Casey even said they walked by the store a few times without realizing it.

“I was completely speechless,” Donovan said. “What you see on the show is an honest reaction. It was so amazing.”

[Read more…]

Tips for Staying Organized During the Holidays

November 8, 2017 Filed Under: Tips & Tricks

The holiday season is usually the busiest time of year for soapmakers and small business owners. Preparing for markets and dealing with the increase in orders can feel a bit overwhelming. Luckily, the soapmaking community is here to help. We asked how people stayed on track on our Facebook and Instagram pages and got some great tips – thanks to everyone who commented. Find the tips below.

Although I do offer a wide variety of colors, scents and styles of soaps for the holidays, I try to stick with just a couple favorite recipes…instead of many different ones. That way, ingredients are always available, recipes are tried, tested and true and labels are universal. There’s plenty of time after the holidays to play with new recipes and techniques. -Karen W.

[Read more…]

Ask Anne-Marie – Celebrity Soaper Edition

November 1, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings, Tips & Tricks

As you can imagine, Bramble Berry CEO and Founder Anne-Marie gets a lot of questions. They’re about everything from owning a business to using natural colorants in soap. While she can’t answer them all, that won’t stop her from trying in the newest episode of Ask Anne-Marie. You can watch the first episode here and the second episode here.

This episode has a fun twist. The questions are from some of our favorite soapers – Bee of Sorcery Soap, Sarah of Spicy Pinecone, Kevin of Devinely Designed, and Lane of Mama Bass Handmade Soap. They ask Anne-Marie about her favorite fragrance, the biggest obstacle she faced scaling up her business, and the mentors who helped her along the way.

Bee of Sorcery Soap:
@0:47 – What soap do you use in the bath? What soap is in there right now?
@1:38 – What is the lowest water discount you use and why?
@2:28 – How long does it take to formulate a new fragrance oil?

Sarah of Spicy Pinecone:
@3:45 – What is the biggest obstacle you had to face when scaling up your business, and how did you overcome it?

Kevin of Devinely Designed:
@5:04 – Now that you have a very successful busy soap business, do you ever just make soap for fun anymore?
@5:52 – You are stranded on a gorgeous tropical island that happens to have a fully stocked soap shack, except it only has one fragrance or essential oil. What is it?

Lane of Mama Bass Handmade Soap:
@6:14 – Have you been creative and crafty since you were a little girl?
@7:00 – When you were first beginning soapmaking, did you have a mentor?
@8:16 – What is your absolute, most favorite fragrance you carry?
@8:53 – I’ve noticed you and I both have very spirited and mischievous little girls! What is your favorite way to entertain her when you’re trying to get things done? Is she crafty like you?

Have a question you’d like to ask Anne-Marie? Leave a comment below and she may answer it in the next edition.

Bramble Berry’s Creative Journey

September 6, 2017 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Bramble Berry has humble beginnings. Soapmaking has been a creative outlet for CEO and Founder Anne-Marie since she was 16. After an unsuccessful career as a correctional officer, she decided to turn that outlet into a business. Our first warehouse was only 400 square feet, and we sold melt and pour soap, five fragrances, and a few molds. We now sell thousands of products from our warehouse in Bellingham, WA.

As with many small businesses, our creative journey was by no means smooth. We had our fair share of debt, stress, and personal setbacks. What keeps us going is hard work, optimism, resilience, and passion for all things handmade. Our story is constantly evolving – the most recent chapter is our rebrand. In 2017, we updated our logo and changed our name from Bramble Berry Soapmaking Supplies to Bramble Berry Handcraft Provisions. In the future, we want to expand our line to include supplies for other DIY projects, like cheesemaking or home decor. Handcraft Provisions allows that flexibility as we continue to grow and change.

Throughout our journey, our goal has always been the same – we want to use what we’ve learned to help people. Whether you’re making soap for fun or running a small business, we promise to be your partner on your creative journey.

Make sure to share your creative journey using the tag #BrambleOn. We can’t wait to see all the things you accomplish. If you want to keep up with Anne-Marie’s personal journey, follow @ComeMakeWithMe on Twitter and Instagram.

Interview with Jolene of Scent and Sensibility Inc

August 4, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings

Jolene with Scent and Sensibility Inc started making soap in 2012 after her best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jolene wanted to make products that everyone, including people with cancer, can use and enjoy safely. She sells soap, body oil, lip gloss, and more. Her beautiful products are made with simple, sensible ingredients. Learn more about Jolene and her creative journey in the interview below!

How long have you been soaping for and how did you get started?
I started experimenting with soap making in March 2012. I was inspired to lead a more natural way of life and get rid of the toxic chemical products because of my best friend. She was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of years prior and finding products that were natural was hard and most importantly, expensive. I wanted to do something to honour her fight and surviving breast cancer and wanted to have a line of bath and body products that everyone, including people with cancer, can use safely. I decided then that should I decide to do this as a business, the charity component to my company would be at the core of the company. I donated soaps and raised money for charity every year since I started my business.

I learned how to make soap by purchasing a soaping kit that came with a soap mold, lye and all the ingredients measured out for me so there was zero room for mistakes. I also watched a lot of YouTube videos, like Soaping 101 and Soap Queen as there were no soap making classes where I was. These two wonderful teachers make soaping look so fun and easy and after my first batch, I was hooked. I spent one year experimenting with soap making and other products like scrubs, lip balm and bath fizzies. After 1 year of just making and giving away soaps and other products to friends and family (I call them my human guinea pigs), I decided then my soaps are good enough and that I was then ready to sell my soaps and Scent and Sensibility Inc was born in October 2013.

[Read more…]

How to Set Up Your Market Display

March 24, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings, Tips & Tricks

Preparing for a market can seem overwhelming. There are supplies to transport, displays to set up and potential customers to talk to. If you’re new to the market scene, we’re here to help. The following tips will help you prepare for whatever the event throws at you. Before diving in, make sure to check out the first post in this series, Are Markets Right for You? OK, let’s get started.

What to bring to the event
A list of the supplies you need is really helpful. There are quite a few things to bring, so jotting it down will help you remember each one. There are really helpful lists on Pinterest to reference, like these from StudioDax and Creative Income.

“Organization is key,” said Christie with Birchwood Botanicals. She’s been making soap and other herbal body care for about 37 years, and has been selling her lovely creations at the Farmers Market here in Bellingham since 2005.

Christie with Birchwood Botanicals showcases her products at the Bellingham Farmers Market.

Start by breaking the list into three categories – products, display supplies and miscellaneous. You can use more or fewer categories depending on your personal preference. For the first category, write down what products you plan to bring and how many. Researching the event beforehand can help you decide what to bring. A good place to start is about 5-10 each of your most popular items. As you build up your customer base, you can adjust and expand your product line to suit their needs.

Samples and testers are essential. Shoppers can touch, smell and try the products, which will help bring them back for more. We all know once you try handmade soap, it’s hard to go back to store bought!

“For years I handed out soap samples in little Ziplocs,” Christie said. “I would give kids their own little soap and it made them so happy. They would hold onto while their parents shopped around.”

The next category, display supplies, will include items like tables, a canopy, a price list, a cash box or money bag with plenty of change, debit/credit card readers, calculators, a hammer and nails, bags for your customers, etc. Christie brings several card readers and an extra phone charger. Susanne with Passionfruit Island said an apron with a zipper is really helpful. She sold her products at markets for about 7 years and is now focusing on online sales. You can carry samples, cash, business cards, etc. in the apron and hand them out easily.

Passionfruit Island‘s beautiful display at a local market.

The miscellaneous category includes anything else that’s helpful for you. That includes plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, a hat, a coat, allergy medication, tissues, etc. Christie brings a portable office with her – that includes staplers, paper clips, extra pens, paper, tape, towels and cleaning wipes. That way she’s prepared for any possible scenario.

How to transport your products
Once you have the items you need, the next step is getting them from your house to the event. Christie recommends using clear plastic bins. It can be tempting to use cardboard boxes to cut costs, but clear bins allow you to see what products are inside so it’s easier to stay organized. As you put the items in your bins, make sure to check them off on your list so you don’t forget anything. You can use cloth, newspaper, etc. to protect your items. Susanne recommends packing the containers tightly so the products don’t jostle around in the car.

“Pack them as full as you can,” she said.

If you don’t have a lot of space in your car, you can pack your products in your displays. Susanne made shelves out of old wine boxes that were donated from a local grocery store. She was able to transport her products and display them in a fun and unique way.

Soap displays that double as storage, like these by Passionfruit Island, save space in your car.

Don’t be afraid to practice packing the items into your car so you know what to expect. You can also leave certain supplies in the car overnight. In the morning, all you have to do is load up the heat-sensitive items like soap and you’re ready to go. If you plan to sell at markets for a long time, consider investing in a trailer. Christie used to pack her items in an SUV, but now has a trailer where she keeps her props, tables, etc.

“That has made all the difference in our daily vending,” she said. “It’s kind of like a second room – we don’t have to unpack every single thing.”

How to set up your display
In many markets space will be limited, so Susanne and Christie suggest going vertical with your display.

“We cannot always spread out, but we can always go up,” Christie said.

Christie with Birchwood Botanicals creates vertical displays to showcase her products in small spaces.

Sturdy, tall shelves are a great option for market displays. Susanne recommends putting the products at eye level so people can see them easily. Group your products in sets and have an easy-to-read price list so your display is organized and inviting. Make sure to take advantage of any leftover space on your table as well. You can display your products in cute baskets or platters, and it’s also a great place to put any testers or samples. Once you have an idea of what your display will look like, set it up at home. Take notes on how long it takes you. If you notice you’re having difficulty with a certain product or you don’t have enough space, you can adjust your display until it works well for you. When you’re finished, take photos so you can reference it the next time you set up your display. Get more tips in the Selling Success at Fairs and Public Markets post. Keep in mind your display may change based on the weather.

“I always think of the weather, that’s a huge factor in how I put my display together,” Christie said. “Be prepared to reconfigure and not display certain things.”

Tips for designing your display
An eye-catching display is a great way to attract customers. The thought of designing it can be intimidating, but Susanne said it doesn’t have to be.

“One of the things I wish I had known when I first started is that it doesn’t need to cost a lot,” she said.

She recommends not investing a lot of money on trinkets. Instead, opt for simple shelves, tablecloths and baskets. Not only will your display look clean and modern, but your products will really stand out against a neutral background. You can find shelves and other display items at thrift stores and garage sales. If you’ve got a knack for DIY projects, you can find low-cost or free materials and build the shelves from scratch.

Susanne’s colorful products really stand out on a simple market display.

Christie found a lot of her display items at second-hand stores. Over the years she collected plenty of props like lamps and picture frames. She also likes to bring a a selection of flowers like Lily of the Valley from the farm. They double as an item for display and an item for sale.

“It makes a beautiful, fresh display,” she said. “Even if we don’t sell them it sure brings a lot of ambiance and nature to the booth.”

If you’re not sure where to start, Pinterest and Facebook have plenty of ideas. Instagram is also a great place for inspiration, especially the #SoapShare tag. Don’t be afraid to ask other crafters on those social media platforms. The soapmaking community is really helpful and they have tons of amazing ideas.

Designing your display doesn’t have to be a chore – it’s a great opportunity to showcase the wonderful products you worked hard to create. If it’s not exactly what you want, keep tinkering with items until it is. The more markets you go to, the more you will learn about your display and selling your products.

“One important thing is to find inspiration and start being creative,” Christie said. “You will need to be patient and consistent. Finding out who your customer base is – that takes awhile. I sat at a market for one full year. I kept going whether I made money or not. I was determined and went there every Saturday … It takes a lot of work, but I love my customers.”

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Are Markets Right for You?

March 3, 2017 Filed Under: Business Musings

Photo courtesy of Old Whaling Company. Photo by Leslie Ryan.

When you first start making soap, you’ll soon find you have more bars than you know what to do with. Many crafters give soap and other handmade products to friends and family. It’s pretty common for your loved ones to get hooked on those products and want more. Over time, people may ask about buying them. If that’s the case, selling your products is definitely something to consider. This post has more information on moving from hobby to business. Local farmers markets, fairs and events are a popular place to sell handmade products. But how do you know if that’s the right path for you?

Are markets right for you?
First things first, markets take time, money and effort.

Lauren with Single Barrel Soaps said it’s a lot of work to sell your products at a market. She’s been selling soap for about two years and does at least one market a month. Read our interview with her here. That work includes making the products from scratch, packing them up and transporting them to the event. Once you’re at the event, you need to set up your booth or table and sell products for several hours. At the end of the event, you have to take the display down, pack it up and transport it back. It’s a full day of talking soap and selling products.

Markets are also very social. April with Old Whaling Company said she talks about her products all day to multiple people. She started Old Whaling Company in 2012 and sells her products at the Charleston City Market every day of the week. People there are very curious about handmade soap.

“You have to be ready to answer a lot of questions,” she said.

Several of Old Whaling Company’s gorgeous market displays.

There are definite advantages to selling your products at markets. You have a direct line to customers. You can talk to them about your products, how you carefully chose each ingredient and why they feel so amazing on the skin. The products aren’t made in a factory by a large company; they’re personally crafted by the person standing in front of them. That’s one of the many advantages of handmade soap. Learn more advantages in this post.

“Selling at markets gives us a chance to get out there and meet our customers – to physically see their likes and dislikes and get feedback,” said Jamie with Whitetail Lane Farm. She’s been selling soap since 2014 and does about 8 markets a year. “It also gives our customers a chance to touch and smell our product. We have a sign in our market tent that says ‘smells are free’ and most people that begin picking up and smelling a bar of soap will usually purchase it.”

If selling at markets sounds like the right path for you, the next step is getting started.

How do you get started?
Deciding where to sell your products requires quite a bit of research. Start scoping out markets, fairs and events in your area. Once you find one that interests you, go see it in person! Lauren with Single Barrel Soaps recommends looking at the booths there, talking to vendors, talking to the organizers and buying products. Take note of how busy the market is. She also recommends paying close attention to booths that sell handmade soap and cosmetics. If you find your products are similar, you may want to reconsider what to bring. That way you don’t step on any toes, and you also stand out from other vendors.

One of Single Barrel Soaps’ beautiful market displays.

April with Old Whaling Company said event fees are something else to research. If they’re expensive and you’re just starting out, you may want to find a different event. Once you have a few markets under your belt and a loyal customer base, you can re-examine the larger and more expensive events.

Once you decide on a market, the next step is figuring out what to bring. While you’re visiting the market, see if there’s a theme. Do you notice a lot of products with neon colors and fragrance, or do the products contain natural colors and essential oils? Is there a lot of soap, or are the vendors selling other products like lotion and scrubs? Don’t be afraid to take notes to help you remember. Tailoring your products to the shoppers can be really beneficial. For instance, when Lauren sold her products in Kentucky, the customers preferred fragrance oils. However, when she moved to Maryland, she found they preferred essential oils. She adjusted her product line to cater to those preferences.

There is also something to be said for trial and error. When Jamie with Whitetail Lane Farm started going to events, she registered at local places and didn’t research each one.

“After that first show season we really started ‘vetting’ shows to see if it was a good fit for us,” she said. “If people from our target audience attended and there was significant attendance, we usually attend.”

Over time, Jamie learned that fall shows are better for them than spring or summer shows, so she focused on those. You may find the opposite once you have a few markets under your belt.

While you’re at the event, don’t be afraid to ask the shoppers plenty of questions. Do they prefer soap, or would they like to see bath bombs? What skin concerns do they have? What draws their eye? They can give you helpful tips so you know what to adjust or add for your next show. The more shows you do, the more you learn. That experience is extremely valuable and will help you be successful.

Tips for success
Shopping is a psychological process. People tend to buy with their emotions and rationalize the choices later. That means attitude is incredibly important. A big smile and positive answers to questions can go a long way. If the event isn’t going like you planned, try to put a positive spin on it. For instance, if people aren’t loving your products, you can say, “I’ve been getting great feedback on my products.” If the weather is too hot, rainy, etc., you can say, “It’s so awesome that people are here supporting small businesses even in this weather! I’m really thankful you’re here.” The positive answers really make a difference about how shoppers feel toward you and your products. Get more tips in this post.

Lauren likes to stand for the entire event because it’s more inviting.

“I love talking about soap and getting their opinions. I think that enthusiasm carries though,” she said. “If you wake up and you’re not in a good mood, put it aside.”

Little details like what you’re wearing can also help you be successful. A clean and comfortable outfit is ideal for events. If you’re not sure what to wear, ask yourself if you’re comfortable going to a casual dinner in your outfit. If not, consider other options. The Selling Success at Fairs and Public Markets post has more helpful tips. April recommends bringing snacks and tons of water with you as well. Staying full and hydrated will keep your attitude and energy up.

Hannah helping Old Whaling Company at the Charleston City Market. Notice the big smile and clean, comfortable outfit!

Passion and knowledge about your products is important as well. Make sure to highlight all the wonderful qualities of your handmade products and have answers ready when people ask about them. It’s also helpful to prepare answers for questions you may not feel comfortable answering. Some common topics include why handmade soap costs more than store bought bars, how you make your products, why they only use store bought soap, etc. This post has some common questions and suggested answers that still keep it positive.

It also helps to emphasize your niche. Learn how to find your niche here. When shoppers ask about your products, focus on what makes your products stand out. For instance, Jamie with Whitetail Lane Farm makes moisturizing soap with milk from her own herd of Nigerian Dwarf Goats. Her display features plenty of goat milk branding. She is able to talk about the benefits of creamy goat milk soap, as well as the goats themselves.

Jamie with Whitetail Lane Farm makes soap with milk from Nigerian Dwarf Goats.

What are other selling options if markets aren’t for you?
If selling at markets isn’t right for you, there are plenty of other options including selling online and in stores. The Where to Sell Products post has more information. Markets can be something you avoid altogether, or revisit at a later date. The most important thing is doing what’s right for you, your schedule and your business.

What are your tips for selling at markets? Check back later this month for a post on how to set up your display.

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Happy Small Business Saturday

November 28, 2015 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Happy Small Business Saturday! We’re so excited about today because our retail store, Otion, has a whole host of fun things going on for our local Washington State and Vancouver, BC customers on November 28th. If you’re unfamiliar with Small Business Saturday, it’s a day to shop and celebrate small and local businesses.

Otion’s color wall, full of soapy colorants such as Color Blocks and Liquid Colors.

If you’re anywhere close by, come on down to 301 W. Holly Street (Bellingham) for:

25% off all finished product for easy gift ideas
25% off all Crafter’s Corner projects for handmade gifts *including a special holiday salt bar option!
Snacks & refreshments (Mmmm hot chocolate!)
FREE fragrance sample with every purchase

The team at Otion is sooooo creative. This week, their little rimmed train soap just slayed me. I mean, how cute is that? If you don’t follow their blog, it’s a must read. They just did a Christmas Cake soap that is adorable and creative. Check out more of their cute projects via the links below!

Left to right, clockwise: Train Rimmed Soap, Geometric Candle, Bubble Bath Tutorial, Christmas Soap Cake

Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 as a counterpart to Cyber Monday and Black Friday. In our town, it’s used to encourage shoppers to shop local, downtown businesses which contributes to a healthy economy. If you’re thinking about doing some Christmas shopping this weekend, be sure to support the local business in your area! =)

We hope to see you out and about in your downtown to support Small Business Saturday! =)

Instagram Tips and Tricks

April 21, 2015 Filed Under: Business Musings

Instagram has become extremely popular in the past several years. In fact, it is the fastest growing social site on a global scale. While I’m a huge fan of social media outlets of all kinds, Instagram (find me @brambleberry) might be my favorite! It’s easy to navigate, interact with others and is completely photo-centric. I could spend hours everyday scrolling through the beautiful and inspirational images.

Now that I’ve been using Instagram for several years, I have learned how to leverage its function for business. Instagram is a great tool for soapy businesses because soap is visually appealing. From in-process shots to final bars, soapmaking and photos go hand in hand. Instagram is also a great way to connect with other soapers, small business owners and potential wholesale accounts. Here are some of my tips when using Instagram, including how to take better photos, connect with others, and market your business.
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Writing an Introduction Letter to Buyers: Ask for the Sale

November 26, 2014 Filed Under: Business Musings

Recently, I spoke on the Indie Business Radio Podcast about business. Donna Maria, the host and founder of Indie Business Network (yes! they have insurance for small home crafters; check them out here!) invited audience members to ask questions. One of the questions that came up was, “How do I work with stores?”

The primary job of a CEO in a small and growing business is sales, sales, sales. You would be surprised how many ‘problems’ go away with enough cash flowing in. It’s way more fun to figure out how to fill all the orders than standing around figuring out what to do with excess inventory.

The only way to get sales is to ask. In my answer (hit the ‘triangle button below’ to hear my live answer on the show), I outlined how to pitch to stores. Note that Donna Maria makes these monthly “Indie Business Network Access Q+A Coaching Calls” available to members to listen to – or call in and ask questions live. One of the listeners followed up with some questions – and if she’s having these questions, that means other small business owners are having these questions. Read on to find her questions and, how I answered them!

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Run Toward Something Great

July 14, 2014 Filed Under: Business Musings

I recently attended a gathering of some of the top brand mavens in Washington state. With Seattle incubating some of the coolest, most hip brands in business, there were some heavy hitters at the table. I squeaked in because I knew the organizer. It was a heady dinner. The format was loose and easy; we shared a bit about ourselves, talked about what we wanted to do in the next year with our businesses and then answered a random question (think Table Topics, only geared 1100% towards vulnerability and business).

The whole chat started out like the Table Topics game… except much more intense! Photo from TableTopics.com.

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Nail Polish for Celebs: Chatting with Ellison’s Organics

May 28, 2014 Filed Under: Bramble Berry News

Getting your products in the hands of customers — no less celebrities — is no easy feat. Carleigh Pearce of Ellison’s Organics did both. She started her soap and cosmetic business in 2012, and by April 2014 she had her handmade nail polishes in gift bags at GBK’s Luxury Gift Lounge in honor of the 2014 MTV Movie Awards Nominees & Presenters.

Carleigh mixes each unique polish color by hand using Bramble Berry’s micas and pigments. She also specializes in organic-oils melt and pour soap, and her Lego building blocks and figurines are a hit with kids. Read on to learn more about how Carleigh built her ever-growing nail polish & soap business from scratch!

A quick note: ‘Organic’ is a heavily regulated term by the USDA, while ‘natural’ is not. Do your homework before purchasing products that are labeled as ‘organic,’ and keep in mind that ‘natural’ could mean a range of things. Check out this blog post for more information. Bramble Berry carries a certified-oils Organic Melt & Pour Base as well as Organic Lavender and Rosemary Essential Oils.

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