Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michael Haseltine, Co-Founder of Lynchburg Soap Company, located in Nashville, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Lynchburg Soap Company started as a small local business in Tennessee. We made soaps in our garage, and before we knew it, we were selling them by the load at the Nashville Farmers Market. All our products are naturally made using the cold-process method. Because we use Goat Milk, our soaps are great for sensitive skin types, the core of our business, and most of our customers find us by visiting Nashville from time to time. We've built a loyal base of consumers who find us whenever they are in town. And our local customers have become some of our biggest advocates, making us one of their pit stops at the farmers' market each month.
Tell us about yourself
For me, it's all about making the best quality product at an affordable price. We do everything we can, even retrofitting our home into a soap shop, now able to store products and ingredients in bulk, ensuring we have accessible prices. We stumbled into something that we loved to do, and in getting to know our customers, we've fallen in love with them too. Seeing customers return each month to stock up on soap, hearing their feedback, and getting to play with new combinations, has been the highlight.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
This year, we've been able to get our brand more recognition and been able to invest in some quality improvements that we'd been waiting for. We redesigned our logo and packaging, trained new team members in soap making, and grew our family of soap lovers. Watching it become something more has been the biggest achievement.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Balancing the hobby and love of making soap with the necessary work of running a business is always a delicate line. Part of what makes us come in each day is fighting for the best ingredients and prices and then focusing on making the best product. The hard part is not letting the work of managing a business and team get in the way of that, keeping the atmosphere friendly and fun while making the best Goats Milk soap money can buy.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Focus on what you are good at.
- Find the right people who are passionate about what they do.
- Stay in your lane and let people take ownership of their part of the business.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://lynchburgsoapcompany.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynchburgsoapcompany/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynchburgsoapcompany/
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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