I Am Not a Soap Maker

I am not a soap maker. This may surprise you as much as it surprised me.

Bubble Bottoms Sud Supply had a very humble start. I haven't been making soap my entire life- in fact, I was the kind of girl that brought Dawn Dish Soap into the shower with me. (Only once, and much to the horror of my sister who knew much more about beauty and bodies than I did.)

This entire thing started one day during a car ride with my mother. "I really want to learn how to make soap," she stated, "But I have been putting it off for years."

I responded with some witty and inspiring comment like "Well if you want to make soap, let's make soap."

Before the end of the week we had compiled the necessary supplies for our first batch of soap: lye, coconut oil, water, my dad's immersion blender that he had used to make mayonnaise the day before, and the old family crockpot that had birthed many prize winning batches of Texas Chili. We carefully followed the simple recipe we had found online to a T.

My first time making a lye solution was a tantalizing experience. Per the instructions, we performed our little chemistry experiment on a fold out table on the back patio. My mother wisely stood back seven or eight feet while I cautiously poured the lye into the Pyrex measuring cup containing a carefully measured out allotment of water and began to stir the mixture, grasping gingerly a silver, long handled spoon between my thumb and forefinger in an attempt to distance myself from the caustic combination before me. My other hand pressed my T-Shirt against my mouth and nose in a meager attempt to defend against the fumes.

We watched in awe as the liquid began to steam and then turn clear again. We were amazed by how hot it got!

When it was time to bring the lye solution inside, I must have breathed the fumes in because I very suddenly felt dizzy and sick.

Note to self: Don't breathe the fumes.

By the end of the day, we had stirred, cooked, and cooled our first ever batch of soap. We had sprinkled dried flowers on the top and scented it with Lavender Essential Oil.

The whole family was anxious to try our handiwork. Everyone was pleased.

Fast forward a few months, and I could not be convinced to buy soaps any longer with this newfound skill in my repertoire. I also couldn't really justify making an entire batch of soap just for myself. Thus, Bubble Bottoms Sud Supply began to form.

At this point, I was merely a soap maker. I made a lot of soaps, constantly trying new variations on myself and my best friend. Soon, we decided it was time to take my soaps to markets. We went religiously every Sunday for the entire summer.

Our first booth setup was incredibly modest. A simple card table with about twelve, unlabeled bars of soap. Each type was distinguished by the name hand written on an index card and laid out in front. By the end of the summer, we had progressed to a much more elaborate setup that included two card tables with table skirts my business partner had sewn from a sheet, a carpet thrifted from Facebook, and various wooden boxes and crates for height.

Our first ever market. We were so excited. I think we sold about four bars that day.

Our greatly improved but constantly adapting as we learn booth that we had set up towards the end of summer.

Every week I learned a new lesson. Avoid mentioning unconventional methods like licking soap to test for lye. Do get a table cloth. Do put more products on the table. Don't drink too much coffee or you will say something weird. If your samples are shaped like gumdrops- everyone will ask if they are food.

I began to step away from being a soap maker and step into the role of salesperson.

My best friend and business partner had a great deal of fun at the market and we are both incredibly excited to go back, but we definitely burned ourselves out over the summer, so we ceased all Bubble Bottoms activities for the entire winter.

Now that it is spring again and we are getting a fresh start on things, I am learning a lot more about my role as a business owner.

I am learning that I am the financial manager, the resource manager, the marketing department. I need to know how to setup a website and run a social media page. I need to make this business stand out amongst a sea of other businesses trying to do the same thing. I have to plan two, three, four, maybe even five weeks ahead and figure out how to anticipate what the business will need and when.

It's overwhelming to say the least, but at the same time exhilarating. There is so much to learn and so much to do. I would absolutely be lost without the assistance of my business partner and the encouragement of my husband.

To those of you out there, others in my position, or just reading today- you are not just a soap maker. You are a creator, a manager, a leader, a visionary, an entrepreneur. You are a parent, a spouse, a friend, an employee, a neighbor, a sibling. The list goes on.

Don't get lost in the sauce. Don't be too hard on yourself. Work hard, rest easy, and just have fun building something that you love.

Sincerely,

Stay Bubbly,

Liz