Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nathalie Haury, Owner of Soap Chest Quest, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Pampering skin with luxurious organic vegan soaps and divine body products is my line of business! Skin is the largest organ of the human body and is the first thing that represents us either in person or in photos, so it deserves every ounce of tender loving care.

My customers aged 0-99+ come from numerous different backgrounds but all of them focus on their health and well-being.

Tell us about yourself

After numerous years of living overseas, I moved to Canada with my family and started looking closely at the ingredients listed in the everyday products we consumed. Since we were already in the process of changing brands due to our new location, I delved deeper into the actual production of said bath & beauty products and decided to take courses and create my own cosmetics.

I love the endless possibilities and artistic aspects of soap making, which is a soothing manual process for me. I simply never run out of new ideas but, on the contrary, have to discipline myself to focus on the main product line with the occasional limited edition thrown in for fun!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Creating and maintaining the online website for Soap Chest Quest was the largest hurdle faced at the beginning of the business launch. The IT aspect took countless hours to set up, but now it's smooth running, and I am fully autonomous with ongoing updates that may be required.

Learning the basics about photography in order to display my products was fun to learn, even though there's always room for improvement. It's a challenge stepping outside one's comfort zone but certainly rewarding.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

It's a 24/7 frame of mind owning a business where every moment is an opportunity to grasp in order to advance on one or more aspects of the business. Remaining disciplined to reserve family time, visit friends, engage in sports, and enjoy entertainment opportunities can be challenging.

The online store is open non-stop, with orders and requests coming through at all hours of day or night, weekends & holidays included. It is up to me to set the limits that allow me to function in a balanced manner. I'm in it for the long haul and prefer to view it as a marathon, not a sprint.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

If you create a business around a product or service you enjoy, it will be a wonderful experience no matter the outcome! After completing your market research and before registering a business, contact the experts for assistance (taxes, legal, insurances, etc.) and avoid future headaches upfront.

Time management is essential, and it's important to use the modern tools at our disposition, delegating when feasible and asking for help or guidance from a mentor. A mentor will assist in answering questions that may arise and help cast away doubt by setting a positive example.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

It helps to be an optimist in order to strive forward regardless of the odds. Embrace the unknown, do the best you can, and you'll have no regrets!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://soapchestquest.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Soap.Chest.Quest/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapchestquest/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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