Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Victoria Gouchtchina, Owner of Yellow Leaf Soaps, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Handmade artisanal soaps made with high-quality vegetable oils (such as olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, butters, etc.) for the body, face, and, most importantly, soul. We do not use any palm oil in our products. Customers are mostly females who want to pamper themselves with quality products that will nourish and cleanse their skin while using aesthetically pleasing products that are carefully made by hand.
Tell us about yourself
I started making soaps in 2016; after reading books and watching YouTube videos, I realized that it wasn’t enough and that I needed to understand the core of it, so I took classes. All my recipes are created by myself from scratch. I really enjoy the process of soap making - to me, it’s like art. A soap can be extremely beautiful while at the same time being good for the skin. I enjoy products that are both, they make me feel good about myself, and that’s exactly how I wish people feel when they use my products.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Getting the business to where it is today while keeping in mind it was started from thin air and a passion for quality natural products that are beautiful to look at, and that can be proudly displayed in a home.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Being a business owner is not easy; you wear so many hats at the same time. You need to extinguish fires as they happen and find solutions where sometimes it seems there are no solutions. I think that as a business owner., thinking outside of the box is a must.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Get started. Small victories add up without us realizing it.
- Be authentic and be yourself. There are so many mock-ups and copies nowadays - people know when something is done from the heart with real passion - clients feel it through the end product.
- Learn to say no. As small entrepreneurs, we often have a tendency to say yes to everyone and everything - saying no can be a true gift.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://yellowleaf.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yellowleafsoaps
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yellowleafsoaps/
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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