Soap Store
Shop Stories may get paid commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Interview with Jessica Green, owner of The Suds Factory in Asheville, North Carolina.
1. How did you come up with the idea of opening a soap store?
As someone who has long struggled with sensitive skin issues, I was always looking for products that would be gentle on my skin. However, I found that most commercial soaps and body products were doing more harm than good. That's when I started experimenting with making my own soaps using natural ingredients that were nourishing for the skin. Friends and family loved them and that's when I knew I could turn my passion into a business.
2. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in starting your business?
The biggest challenge was finding a niche in a market that was already saturated with so many products. I had to figure out how to stand out from the crowd, and also source high-quality ingredients that would make my soaps and body products truly unique.
3. How did you overcome these challenges?
I spent a lot of time researching what customers were looking for in their bath and body products, and I also focused on creating a brand that was both recognizable and memorable. I knew I had something special with my all-natural approach, and I made sure to highlight that in all of my marketing efforts.
4. What made you decide to start selling your products online with Shopify?
It was a natural progression for us as we started to grow. Shopify offered us an easy way to manage our online store, and also helped us reach a wider audience beyond our local customers.
5. How has Shopify helped you grow your business?
We've seen a huge increase in sales since we started using Shopify. The platform allows us to better manage inventory and shipping, and easily create promotions and discounts for customers. It's also allowed us to expand our product line and add new items to our store.
6. What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own soap or bath and body product business?
Stay true to your values and your vision, and don't be afraid to take risks. It's important to be passionate about what you do, and to always keep learning and growing as a business owner.
7. What unexpected success have you experienced since starting The Suds Factory?
We never expected to become a popular destination for wedding and other special event favors. We've had numerous requests for custom orders, and it's been really exciting to see our products being used in such a special way. Thanks to our online store and our word-of-mouth marketing, we've been able to expand our reach and bring our products to customers all over the country.
Shop Stories is designed to provide inspiration through stories about ecommerce success. Articles on this site including names, businesses, locations and any other element of the story have been created with a combination of human inspiration and generative AI. Articles may contain inaccuracies, untruths and possibly incorrect or dangerous advice. Use at your own risk.