The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
I’ve learnt a lot about soap making since starting my business. There are so many different ingredients and techniques. My recipe when I first started was a very basic recipe and as I got more knowledge and confidence, I progressed to creating my own recipe which is aimed at the luxurious end of the market. My ingredients are quality ingredients, and I have my own rustic style – people are loving it.
I’ve gone from knowing nothing about setting up a website, to being able to do a lot for myself. I’ve got several stockists for my gorgeous products and I would like more, eventually.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Mmmm…this is a great question.
The pros are that I don’t have to leave home to go to work, I can work when I want to and am flexible to do other things. My office is basically in my phone so I can work on the run. I know that I have been responsible for creating beautiful products and I love it when people love my products. That makes it all so worthwhile.
The cons are not really having an allocated workspace and because I don’t have to leave home to go to work, I find myself always working, just finishing things off and answering messages late into the night. I have a mountain of soap stored in various places around our home, in various stages of curing/storing, and my husband is always complaining about it when he’s home: “There’s soap in every room!”. You need to be really organised, and I am not! There’s never enough time in the day with too many distractions, and market stalls are hard work!
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I’d really love to have more stockists across the country. My soaps really are luxury in a bar and my solid shampoo and conditioner bars will make a difference to your hair in just one wash. I just have to get better at marketing!
Visit Janelle’s Soaps and Succulents website and keep up to date by joining her Facebook and Instagram communities.
