Handmade Soaps & Unique Gifts

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brandy Hobbs, Owner of Stinky Piggies LLC, located in Chesterton, IN, USA.

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

I'm the owner and creator of Stinky Piggies LLC. We create handmade goat's milk soap, all-natural sugar scrubs, bath bombs, custom tea towels, and hand towels. All of these products are inspired by my southern heritage. For example, Kentucky Summer Soap is the sweet smell of honeysuckle. My customers are of all ages and are people who love using natural products that are great for their skin.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a mom, wife, and long-distance runner who has changed from a business career in fundraising to a stay-at-home mom. After a year as a stay-at-home mom, I was ready to return to work. I'm a very driven and goal-oriented person, and I needed "my own thing" as my sense of accomplishment. I loved being with my boys, but both are of school age, so I wanted something to work toward. I started applying for jobs, but I was torn as I still wanted to be the one to take my kids to and from school as well as be at all the school functions. I had talked about making soaps and having my own company, but without the business knowledge, it can be intimidating. My husband was very supportive! In January of 2022, we finally submitted for the LLC of Stinky Piggies. Growing up, I always heard about "washing my stinky piggies," which is a phrase I still say to my own boys, so it had to be the name of the company. It took 4 months of research and trying different formulations, but thanks to all my friends and family who were willing to try out the products and give honest feedback, I finally launched my website. I have been doing local farmer's markets to get my product out there as well as using social media. I have expanded beyond soap to sugar scrubs, bath bombs, tea towels (kitchen towels), and hand towels. I still have many plans for more products down the line. It's meeting my customers and hearing their feedback that truly keeps me motivated. I'm very happy and love what I do; I think that comes through in my products. There is A LOT of love in all I do.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I'm a very new business, only truly having products for 5 months, but I think seeing the evolvement of my knowledge and marketing has been fun to see. I sometimes look back and am amazed that I created all of these products while still being a mom and wife. I learn new things every day about managing a business and feel myself getting more and more confident in being a business owner.

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

Some of the challenges for me as a business owner have been trying to figure out inventory; each week, it changes which scents are the most popular, so I am trying to figure out how much each to have on hand. Also, the accounting side is brand new for me, so I found getting a local accounting person to help can really take some stress off. New challenges come along from time to time, but I really just try to see it as a learning curve to being a new business owner, and I try to work one day at a time not to get overwhelmed.

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

Just do it!!! It's stressful at times but well worth it.
Find a network of supporters, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Be true to yourself! It's tempting to look at competitors and want to do what they are doing, but do what is uniquely you and make something you are proud of.

One of the BEST things about being a business owner and making your own products is having a customer who was skeptical about trying your product for whatever reason come back later to tell you how much they LOVE your product. You put a lot of heart and soul into what you do as a small business owner; sometimes, that cuts into family time, but at the end of the day, it's all worth it!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.stinkypiggiesllc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stinkypiggiesllc/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-hobbs-3b1a45a/

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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