Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Wendy Duckett, Owner of Mystic Moon Soapworks, located in Lancaster, PA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I make handcrafted soaps, lotions, lip balms, and other bath & body self-care products, including men's beard care. My customers are typically older than 25 years and are interested in metaphysical spirituality, as my products are colorful and have mystical and mythological names.
Tell us about yourself
I have been making small-batch bath and body products in my kitchen since 2019. I have always been crafty, and I started with a soap-making kit trying to replicate a soap from a Self-Care subscription box. From there, my interest grew, and I purchased lotion and body butter kits, watched oodles of how-to videos, bought books, attended conferences, and started to play around with the formulations. I started sharing them with friends and family to see if people liked them, as well as selling them at local craft shows. After having positive feedback and sales, I felt ready to launch my business. My biggest motivation comes from the reviews I get from customers telling me how much they love my products and how they make them feel. That's the best validation for me, and I continue to test and add products to my line that I hope people will love.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Obviously, seeing an increase in sales is an indication that I am on the right path. But more than that, I am fueled by the responses and repeat customers who tell me how much they love something. Knowing that my products help people feel a little pampered in today's crazy world keeps me going!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Time management is by far my biggest hurdle. There are so many facets to running a small business; there just aren't enough hours in the day. I always feel like I am behind in some way. I have to permit myself to be ok with something that is not always getting done when I want them to.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
First, I would recommend that they do some homework regarding what products they want to sell. Is there a market for them? Will people want to buy them?
Secondly, find a system that works for them to get and stay organized. That can be with all aspects of the business, supplies, inventory control, production, bookkeeping, etc.
And finally, have fun doing it! Are you passionate about it? Do you love the product line? If you don't, the business will always be a struggle.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://mysticmoonsoapworks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mysticmoonsoapworks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticmoon_soapworks/
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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