A few months ago I wrote a blog post about “What Will Your Legacy Be?“ It spoke about what the world will say about you when you have left this earth? Will they say you did something to help mankind or will they say you made a million dollars?

At the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild 2010 Conference in Denver, CO I had the privilege to listen to a few awesome speakers. Two of the speakers message was loud and clear. What are you doing today that will benefit those of tomorrow. Is what you are doing or planning to do going to help someone else which in turn benefits you or will it hurt those down the line?

When in business we mostly think about the almighty dollar. It is true that money answereth all things. Why, because it takes money to pay for things to live. But what it doesn’t mean is that we allow it to govern what we believe and how we live.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am in business to make money so that I can pay those whom I owe for the basic necessities of life such as food, clothes and shelter as well as for some other unsecured debt I got myself into but at the same time I should govern my business practice in a way that will not only benefit me but benefit the consumer and ultimately the world in which I live in.

Ambassador Braun, who served as ambassador of New Zealand spoke about sustainability. (that’s her and I in the picture) She defined what sustainability means. According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future to be able to meet their needs. She challenged us to be careful of one another and our future; for everyone matters.

Well whom might everyone be when it comes to being an entrepreneur? It refers to your customers, your employees and even all the way down to the person who labors on the farms that harvests the herbs or other ingredients you add into your products. Are you purchasing Fair Trade Shea butter from Ghana or Uganda where the woman boil the Shea nuts and press them into butter or don’t you care as long as you get the best price per pound? Begin to ask yourself am I running my business in a sustainable manner that I know I am caring about the world in which I live.

This conference has caused me to take a personal self assessment. What are my core business values, that Alison Covarrubias founder of the Hatch Network helped us identify in her awesome session on Branding Your Products. Am I truly fulfilling those values in my business operations ? If not, what steps am I going to take to get to where I need to be. Am I compromising the compliancy of my business just to be creative as Debbie May, owner of Wholesale Supplies Plus explained in her wonderful session. Make sure you are compliant with the law when manufacturing your beauty and skin care products and using ingredients that are safe for use. Make sure you are properly labeling your products to be compliant with the law as well as to properly inform your consumer as to what you used to make that awesome skin care product. Joshua Osysko owner of Pangea Organics challenged us about sustaining our environment by the decisions we make in business. Instead of continuing to print his product labels that created waste for the environment he began to screen print the label information directly on the packaging.

Personally, this transformation will by no means happen over night. It will happen over time as I set out to operate a sustainable business that I can be proud of and that future generations will know that I cared enough about them way before they even existed.

I encourage you to take a moment for self introspection. See what areas you can improve on in your business that will sustain our universe and its inhabitants for years beyond our existence. Go back to those core values when you first started your business and do a self assessment to see if you are on track. Begin to take steps toward building and operating a sustainable compliant business you and your descendants can be proud of.

Here’s to creating YOUR legacy! TODAY!

With the recent devastation that has taken place in Haiti, I continue to count my blessings.  Though we are going through a recession in our own country we have to count our blessings for the things that truly matter; our loved ones.

As I watch the news I see the hope in the eyes of the Haitians who are searching for their loved ones.  The supplies are beginning to come into the country that can help the millions of people that may be affected by the continued earthquakes and aftershocks.  I wondered what can I do to help.  I made a monetary donation to the Red Cross but there was something else I could do that will help save lives from needless deaths with something as simple as SOAP.

The Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild recently partnered with Clean the World.  Clean the World takes discarded soaps and other toiletries from hotels and recycle them to aid others in other countries who need such a simple commodity that we often take for granted.  By practicing the simple task of washing ones hands disease can be reduced by up to 60%.  Needless deaths can be avoided by simply having soap.  When the HSMG sent out the call to help the Haitians with soap donations to it’s membership and the industry, Handmade Soap Coach, had to be one of the many who answered the call.

It is our pleasure to donate 14 pounds of handcrafted soap to Clean the World who is working with CARE and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines as well as other avenues to get much needed supplies to Haiti.

If you are a soapmaker please consider sending Clean the World a soap donation even your scraps or end bars can be of help to those in Haiti.  Visit Clean the World‘s website for up to date relief information about Haiti.  To send a soap donation please send the package to: Clean the World, 8026 Sunport Dr., Suite 306,
Orlando, FL 32809.

I am proud to be a handcrafted soapmaker and to be able to help others in need with my craft.  I count it a blessing to be able to share a basic and simple thing as soap to help reduce the risk of disease and possibly death.

Recently there was an outbreak in NYC and this time it was not the H1N1 but interestingly enough it was a case of Soap Fever which has spread to 15 individuals from one person.

Back in December I finished teaching a 5 session workshop on Handcrafted Soap and Lotion making in NYC at the Open Center.  I encourage my students to stay in touch with me and several of them do on a regular basis.  But this time I was doing a google search on my name and came across a blog post from one of my students, Liz Neves, who blogged about her recent learning experience and how after taking the melt and pour soapmaking class she was so excited about the class that she tweet about having a soapmaking party. Immediately she received a couple of responses that eventually led to a soapmaking party of 15.  When I visited her blogged I was so proud of how well she shared what she learned with others and how unique and beautiful the soaps are that were made by the participants. A couple of the other participants also blogged about the experience and their blog can be found at The Hip Girl’s Guide to Homemaking and Adriana’s Blog.  Also, check out the pictures posted on The Hip Girl’s Facebook Page as well on Liz’s Facebook Page.

I am amazed at how we can positively impact each other and that impact can spread like a fever.  Liz took the class and fell in love with it and immediately shared it with others who will in turn share it with others.  I am so happy that others are learning about the benefits of making handcrafted soap and the joy and fun that can be shared when making it.

I love teaching others how to make soap and it makes my heart glad when I see my students pursuing their new found love! May the Soap Fever spread!

The fall time of year is so awesome.  Living in the northeast I have the joy of actually experiencing all 4 seasons.  The change of the seasons are definitely apparent as the foliage begins to change to hues of red, orange and yellow.  You begin to think about the upcoming holidays full of pumpkin, apples and spices.

There is no better time than to celebrate this awesome season with the “Beauti-FALL Recipe Contest“, an easy and fun way for people to share their unique, original recipes products made with ingredients that are reminiscent of the lovely fall season.  This awesome contest is hosted by Indie Beauty Network(IBN) and I am proud to be one of the judges along with my esteem colleagues Marla Bosworth and Lori Nova.

All you have to do to enter is publish your original recipe with a photo of the finished product and/or video showing how you made it to your blog or website between now and November 20, and the judges will choose the winners!

Of course as with any contest there are prizes. From Nature with Love will be awarding a first prize $100 gift certificate; second prize $50 gift certificate and third prize $25 gift certificate.  Visit From Nature With Love‘s for some inspiration with a listing of fall ingredients.

Membership in IBN is not necessary nor is a purchased required at From Nature With Love to participate.  Be sure to check out the full contest rules at the official website.  The contest runs from November 6, 2009 through November 20, 2009.

I look forward to viewing your creativity!

I had the great pleasure to celebrate my childhood best friend’s 40th Birthday at the Chocolate Spa located at the Hershey Hotel in Hershey, PA.  The grounds were absolutely fabulous and the hotel staff treated us so well those couple of days.

After indulging in a half a day of spa treatments it was time to check out and leave the resort.  Before we went our separate ways (at least that is what my BFF thought because her family had planned a surprise party for her the next day and I was right behind her on the way back to Maryland-tee hee), we stopped at the Hershey Chocolate Factory.  This was my first time ever visiting Hershey, PA so I never really knew the story behind the chocolate empire.

While at the Chocolate Factory, we went to the tour of Hershey which told his story.  He began making caramel candy first in which it was not a success.  He didn’t allow his failure to stop him and later returned to PA to build a successful chocolate factory.  What amazes me about his story is:

• He didn’t allow failure to stop him from following and pursuing his passion.
• He and his wife started an orphanage for boys because they could not have children of their own.  Which later cared for minorities and girls in which Hershey Candy still funds.
• When building the factory he fired the bulldozers and hired individuals to clear the land and build the factory.
• Built a town around his company.
• He started Hershey during the Great Depression

After taking the tour I later thought about what a legacy he left behind; establishing a town and starting an orphanage. He had a heart for people and didn’t allow his wealth to allow him to become selfish. It makes me wonder about my business and it’s practices. What will my legacy be when I have passed on. Will I have built a company solely to make riches or will I have helped someone whether they were an employee or someone living in my community live a better life.  It is my aspiration to be a blessing to someone else and to be known as a giver; for I believe the true blessing is for the giver.

What will be your legacy? Please share what you want your life story to say about you? I would love to hear. Please share below.

This past week me and two other soapmakers, Maria Gelnett and Victoria Marsted, both from Upstate NY, supported each other in learning how to make liquid soap.  None of us live in close proximity to each other but we all wanted to try our hand at making liquid soap.  We created a private chat room in AOL Chat and made the liquid soap simultaneously chatting our findings as we went along following a liquid soap recipe we received at a recent soap gathering.

I had tried to make liquid soap in the past but didn’t have the patience for figuring it out at the time.  Liquid soapmaking is a different animal than cold process soapmaking.  It takes about a good three hours to finish making the soap paste and up to a couple of days max to dilute the soap paste to your liking.

It was an enjoyable experience as we chatted what we were seeing and knowing that we all were getting the same results.  There are not many liquid soapmaking classes (yes, I will be adding this to my repertoire) so doing this with someone else helped move beyond just the thought of one day trying this again.

It is important when in business or with anything for that matter that you surround yourself with like minded people.  The three of us had a desire to make liquid soap but we had one thing initially hindering us from trying it together and that was distance.  But thanks to technology we were able to connect and support one another in this venture.  It is good to have others in your circle that you can go to and ask for their help and support.  They understand what your needs are because they have been there or are in that situation currently themselves.  We should be able to lean on those who share the same interests as we do not fearing that they will try to steal our trade secrets but respecting the boundaries that apply.

I am grateful for those in my circle who are like minded like me and understand that we are in this thing together and there is plenty of clients, customers and friends for all of us.

Have you ever needed the support of others who were like minded as you or do you find it difficult to find the support you need in your ventures?  I would love to hear what you have to say?

Last weekend I attended the soapmakers gathering in Binghamton, NY of the Central New Yorkers Soapmakers. I had a great time. Soap gatherings are a day where soapmakers of that particular region get together to learn, meet, and share. The day generally begins with sometime to register and pick up any materials as well an mingle before the activities begin..

The beauty of attending a local soapmakers gathering include:
1. Meeting other soapmakers – most of the groups interact through a forum or a group like Yahoo groups during the year. There is hardly any group in person interaction until the yearly gathering.

2. Share with other soapmakers – there is much information that can be gleaned from other soapmakers. It is far from trying to copy what someone else does but merely helping a fellow soapmaker out.

3. A day with others soapmakers – the old adage “birds of a feather flock together” that is exactly what the gathering is about. There is reason why birds flock together and that there is strength

gained from being with those who are like minded.

4. Great demonstrations – fellow soapmakers demonstrate various techniques on soapmaking or other handmade beauty and skin care products. Most offer tips on how to market those items as well as where to get the supplies needed to make the product.

5. Goodies from suppliers – as you walk out to leave to go home you will receive a bag of samples from suppliers many offering a special discount to gathering attendees.

6. Door prizes from suppliers – the suppliers will donated actual product items or gift certificates to use. These are special treats to go home with.

7. Raffle prizes – for a dollar or two you can take your chance at winning some grand raffle prizes such has escali scales.

8. Help those in need – the particular gathering I recently attended asked those attending to bring bars of soap to donate to the local rescue mission. Oh how a simple thing like soap can be such a great benefit to those who are in need of some help.

9. Garaga sale – you just might find a great deal on supplies that you use. As they say some ones garbage is another’s treasure.

If you are a beginner soapmaker join a few yahoo groups. Some are more chatty than others so you may want to get the posts in a daily digest but this is a great way to learn about the craft. Attend the local gathering when they are offered. You will not regret it. For the seasoned soapmaker it is good to attend the local gatherings to spend some time with other soapmakers and help another soapmaker who may just be starting out. By the end of the day you’ll wonder where has the time gone.

Do you attend local soap gatherings? If so, what would be your #10 benefit of attending them. I would love to hear your responses. Please share by commenting below.

Back in April I had the privilege to meet 33 individuals interested in making handmade soaps and lotions in Soho, NY.  This was the first time I had that many students at one time.  With so many I wasn’t sure if the workshop was impactful or not.   I have found out it was.

I have been in regular communications with some of my students from that class but one in particular has recently launched her blog about everything natural and beautiful called “Brooklyn Bath“; her name is Rose Carbajal.

Rose let me interview her about her experience in my soapmaking class and shares about her new interest in making her own bath and body products plus her new blog.

What made you decide to register for the handmade soap and lotion class a NY Open Center?
The class was posted through Meetup.com (awesome place to join soapmaking groups and learn).

What did you like most about the class?
How simple it is to make your own soap and toiletries through simple-guided and professional instruction by La Shonda.

Why do you think you decided to pursue making your own body products beyond the class?
I wanted to start making and sharing bath products that can cater not only to my preferences but to others as well.

Why did you decide to start a blog?
I want my readers to not only to get to know Brooklyn Bath but to get to know the persona behind it.

What inspired the name of your blog “Brooklyn Bath”?
The name “Brooklyn Bath” came up as I was searching for a name that personified what I love to do and where I came from.

What do you enjoy about making your own body products?
I love the endless possibilities you can make with your own products! One day I might be in the mood for shea butter soap and the next day I would rather indulge in honey soap.

What is your favorite scent and why?
Hard to just pick one since I’m finding new ones all the time. But so far my favorite is Plumeria.

Do you have any plans or goals with your new love for making body products?
I am going to continue honing my craft at the various bath products I make and creating my signature line.

Have you shared your finished product with anyone yet?
Absolutely! I have shared my bath products with friends and families and love hearing their feedback.

What is your current professional career?
I have a background in administration.

Do you have any recommendations for others who may thinking about taking a soapmaking class?
Go for it! It is simple and a lot of fun. You will meet great people who also want to learn and make soap.

I am impressed with the ambition Rose has in making handmade natural beauty and skin care.  I am looking to see great things Rose Carbajal will do with her new love.