Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Nelson, Owner of The Soap Opera Company, located in Furlong, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Soap Opera Company is a luxury retail bath and body boutique with 3 locations in Bucks County, PA: Doylestown, Peddlers Village, and New Hope. Our customers are local PA/NJ customers and many tourists, especially to Peddlers Village and New Hope.
Tell us about yourself
I bought the two stores without a website in 2013. I had previously been in the pharmaceutical industry. I flipped the store from 70% commercial brands to 70% private label brands made in-house or by individual female artisans. We are known nationally for our hand-made bath bombs. We sell about 30K bath bombs per year.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Supporting female artisans, small women-owned businesses, and empowering and employing an all-female staff.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Finding ways to incentivize employees other than financially to stay with us even though we are essentially a flat business.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Location, Operations, Product Offering. If you have the right location, a close watch on operations, and the correct product offering, you will be successful.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
We have been blessed this year with winning Best Gift Shop in Bucks Happening 2022. We are a finalist as the best online retailer and best gift shop for Bucks Herald. Recently, an international brand asked us to participate in their PR launch of luxury towels. In the next few weeks, we expect to be filming a live spot on Fox 29 with Bob Kelly as he watches us make our signature sugar whip.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://soapoperacompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesoapoperacompany
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soapoperacompany/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/soapopera_bucks
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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