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?
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hi La Shonda,
I have been in a situation where I needed some support and collaboration with another business owner. I lived in Florida recently and wanted so desparately to open a handmade cosmetics business out of my home. Florida law does not permit individuals to make their products in their home. You must rent a commercial space and have it inspected which of course means fees and a host of regulations that you must follow in order to pass that inspection. I was long on ideas, inspiration, and creativity but very short on cold hard cash. I tried to get a loan from a family member but that didn’t happen. I began to research to see what the rent was like for commercial spaces and I couldn’t afford it or think of a way to open the business. I started thinking and I knew that there were other soap and cosmetics makers in my area. I used the directories on the HMSG and IBN to locate those people and gave them all a call. I was nervous but I had to give it a shot. I did make contact with two women that were interested in sharing a commmercial space with me and we met and started to research and plan. I have since moved back to the NJ/NY Metro area so things didn’t really get off the ground but I built some good business relationships. Your story reminded me of my own. Way to go and I wish you much continued success.
Benita Russell, Owner & President
Toasted Coconut Bath and Body, LLC