Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Garofalo.
Hi Vanessa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began experimenting with making my own bath and body care products in 2014 as a hobby. My first creations were bath bombs and homemade sugar scrubs that turned out pretty well! I loved the idea of creating and using my own products. I’ve always enjoyed creative pursuits, so it was a much-needed outlet for me that also encouraged self-care rituals, like taking a long, luxurious bubble bath.
I didn’t do a lot with the hobby until spring 2020. I was working from home during the pandemic, so I had a lot of extra time on my hands. I was employed as an academic librarian at the time, which I had been doing for 11+ years. During my free time, I was enthralled with watching makers on Facebook and YouTube making handmade soaps and bath products. I needed to learn more!
I returned to my bath and body care hobby and started experimenting with formulations. It involved a lot of research, as well as trial and error. But as a librarian, research is my passion! I wanted to learn how to make artisan soap, specifically using the cold process method. I was amazed by all of the photos and videos of intricate designs and swirls. I wanted to learn how to do that! The creativity of it called out to the artist within me.
I spent a couple of months researching the science behind soap making before I made my first batch of soap. It was an epic fail! However, I was determined to master what is truly a complicated process. I kept at it and soon I had dozens of successful batches of soap sitting on my curing rack. Cold process soap needs to cure for at least 4-6 weeks, so my husband built me a curing rack inspired by a photo I found on Pinterest. It holds 560 bars of soap!
I soon learned that creating bath and body care products is both a science and an art. And the artist within me came alive. I began envisioning all kinds of fun designs inspired by both food and nature. I learned how to create soaps that provide luxurious lather and bubbles, as well as nourish the skin. I soon branched out and began making sugar scrubs, body creams, whipped soaps, bath bombs, and more. I was addicted!
By late 2020 I decided to turn my soap-making hobby into a side business. I have very sensitive skin and many store-bought products cause irritation and dryness. I knew there were others like me out there. I wanted to create products that would be safe for a variety of skin types but also safe for the environment. All of the products I create use biodegradable, ethically-sourced ingredients. I began by selling on Etsy, as well as at the Snellville Farmers Market. I soon learned that the more novel and whimsical my designs and scent combinations were, the more people loved them! I now sell my products online on my website, as well as in-person at my shop and pop-up locations.
Last April I retired from my career as an academic librarian to pursue my passion more fully. It feels odd to say I “retired” as I’m still in my 30’s, but that’s exactly what I did! In March 2022, I opened my shop at the Snellville, GA Painted Tree Boutiques. Painted Tree is a creative community of shops, all under one roof. I rent a booth space that I design and stock myself and the employees take care of the day-to-day store operations for all of the shops located there. It’s a place for small businesses to grow but without the costly overhead involved with having a brick and mortar location. I recently moved into a larger shop space at the Painted Tree and it as allowed me to expand my product line further.
I recently released my Soap Lily Essentials Collection. The collection features five signature fragrances that are available in soap, sugar scrubs, body cream, bath bombs, whipped soap and soon: bath salts, shower steamers, and room & linen sprays. In addition to this collection, each season I feature a select number of fragrances and designs that are available on a limited basis.
Today, I am focused on growing my business and seeking opportunities for wholesale and consignment accounts. I have several leads for additional store locations where I hope to sell my products in the near future. I am still selling at farmer’s markets and occasional pop-up shop events and festivals. This summer, I will be selling at both the Lilburn and Snellville Farmers Markets and will be making several pop-up shop appearances around the Atlanta area. Information about where and when I will be selling can be found on the “Locations” page of my website (www.soaplily.co).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has definitely not been smooth, but it rarely is for small businesses! Learning and honing my craft has actually been the easy part. Learning the intricacies of running a small business has been challenging. Business registration, insurance, accounting, marketing, collecting sales tax, sourcing supplies during a pandemic, and now running a business during a difficult economy – it’s all challenging. In today’s social media-driven world, just being consistent (and visible) online is challenging in and of itself. I do every aspect of my business myself. I jokingly tell folks that I am the owner, artisan, graphic designer, marketer, and shipper! I even design and print my own product labels!
What keeps me going is the love and passion I have for my craft. I love talking to customers and teaching them about wholesome bath and body care products. I love seeing folks’ reactions to my designs, especially kids! Their positive feedback and constructive advice means so much to me as a soap artist. Today, one of the biggest challenges I face as a small business owner is that many of my ingredients cost three to four times what they did in 2020 and I’ve hardly raised by prices. Artisan products cost more than mass-produced products, but artisans put a lot of love and quality into what they create. Each and every person that has purchased from Soap Lily Bath Co. is supporting my dream and I appreciate that support so much.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
There are a lot of soap makers out there and we all have our own take on our craft and our businesses. My approach to my craft is a bit different than others, as I really enjoy creating soaps and bath products that are inspired by food and nature. From soap bars that look like desserts to whipped soaps that smell just like cinnamon rolls and are topped with a miniature cinnamon roll soap, I have a lot of fun with it. Some folks will ask me, “Why?” and I always respond with “Why not?!”.
I am most proud of the fact that all of my creations, packaging, labels, and everything else that is associated with my business, including my branding and logo, were created my me. I am a self-taught graphic designer so that helps when it comes to my branding and packaging. I am very visual, so inspiration comes to me in so many different forms.
While I sell my products online and in person, I also accept custom and wholesale orders. I recently made small elegant glycerin soaps as party favors for a woman who was celebrating her 50th birthday. She showed me photos of her theme and we worked together to come up with soap favors that incorporated her colors and chose a fragrance she loved. A cheesecake shop in upstate New York contacted me about a wholesale order and asked me to design three of my signature frosted cold process soaps to match some of her best-selling cheesecakes. Inspired by her product photos, I created Bananas Foster Cheesecake, Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake, and Salted Caramel Cheesecake soap bars! I even created chocolate toffee soap pieces to place on each bar, just like the client’s cheesecake! These soaps were sold in her bakery’s gift shop during their grand opening celebration.
How do you think about happiness?
The littlest things make me happy: wet soap tops, dusting bath bombs with shimmery mica, frosting soaps, designing product labels, talking to my customers and witnessing their reactions to my products…it all makes me happy and fulfilled as a small business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soaplily.co
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/soaplily
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/soaplilybathco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-garofalo-11a22059/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCElmarZs-GaT8IZetG1XhwQ
Image Credits
Image Credit: Vanessa Garofalo
