Make this super simple, minty foot balm in just a few minutes. More ..read more

How to Revive a Struggling Soap and Skincare Business in 2024 This is a few thoughts of what I would do if my business was struggling, not making the sales that I wanted, or just generally plateauing in 2024. It is fair to say we have had a lot to contend with in recent years. Covid, Brexit, spiralling raw material and energy prices and the cost of living crisis so if any small, handmade business out there is claiming they are unaffected I would take that with a pinch of salt. The good news is however that this is an opportunity to make changes without having to justify your reasons, I just ga ..read more

What to think about before starting a soap and skincare business in 2024. The world is changing rapidly and external factors that may be occurring on the other side of the world all directly impact us small business owners whether we realise or not. The most obvious currently are the cost of living and the rising price of raw materials. When I am asked what I would do if I were to start a new business today the answer is very different to what I would have said 5 years ago and it is also why I rewrote the Soap Business Bootcamp this year as the old version was no longer fit for purpose. This ..read more

How to ensure your soap and skincare business remains profitable in 2024 and beyond. With the recent price hikes on cocoa butter and the ongoing olive oil crisis, the costs of raw materials are soaring. I understand how tough it is out there, however I've got several actionable tips that can help you improve your profit margins, whether by reducing costs or increasing your profits. This is blog is an overview of a video I have created on the topic . If you prefer to watch rather than read you can find it here. 1. Reduce Raw Material Costs First things first, let's talk about reducing the cost ..read more

How much time should I spend on social media? I hate social media! Do I need to do social media?  If all this sounds familiar to you, rest assured, you are not alone. It is the nemesis of many, and I think a lot more of us want to throw in the towel than we realize. But today, I want to talk about why I choose simplicity when it comes to social media for my handmade business. This is an overview of my YouTube video on the topic. If you would prefer to watch that, you can find it here. Social media is a bit of a double-edged sword, isn't it? Some love it, some hate it, and for me, it's bee ..read more

The Power of Email Lists and Why Every Soap and Skincare Business Owner Should Have One. This blog is a short version of a YouTube video that you can watch here.  Today I'm diving into the topic of email lists. I know, for some of you, it might sound like a bit of a taboo subject and on the too difficult to do list but quite honestly no-one ever wishes they hadn't started one and if you do it properly it will be the best thing you have ever done. Here's why you need an email list over social media. You're not at the mercy of social media algorithms Social media platforms like Facebook ..read more

Why You Need To Start Selling Your Soap And Skincare Products Wholesale Today! Today's blog is an overview of a YouTube Video I have created and in which I cover the topic in greater detail. If you would prefer to watch the video (recommended for the most imformation) you can find it here.  In my The Dog and I business as much as 70% of my sales are wholesale and I absolutely swear by it as a method to grow and create a good income without having to attend in person events. Without it I do not think I could have got to the point that I did whilst working just a couple of days a week ..read more

What elements should your website include to maximise the chances of making a sale? We're not talking about the basics like privacy policies and contact details, I am not even talking about SEO although that is really important. I am going right back to the bare bones of the things that normal people like you and I may look at when deciding whether or not to make a purchase.  Easy Navigation. First things first, in today's world it is well known that attention spans are shorter than ever. That's why it's imperative to have an easy-to-navigate menu or, at the very least, a search bar. I ..read more

So you're ready to take your soap and skincare business to the next level in the UK? Fantastic! But there are a few key questions you need to ask yourself first. In this blog post, I will cover 5 key considerations that will get you thinking outside of the box. Prefer to watch than read? You can find my YouTube video on this topic here. 1. Where Do You Want to Be in Five Years? Let's start with the big picture. Close your eyes and imagine where you want your business to be five years from now. Do you envision yourself giving up the day job to focus solely on your business? Are you dreamin ..read more

How can I leave my day job? How do I start my own soap business? These are questions I get asked a lot and the answer is 'not easily' and in the current economic climate it takes determination and tenacity as well as a good business head but today I want to bring you a feel good story of how someone else has done it. I am loving the opportunity to be able to share this inspiring story of a lady who has created an amazing business out of her passion for a particular rare breed of sheep and is proof that it can be done, you can follow your dreams. I will hand you over to Lucy herself t ..read more