Yes, I can do that
There’s nothing that makes me feel better than when a customer (or potential customer) asks me if I can do a custom order for them and I can say “Yes, I can do that!” That’s what happened to me recently, when I was approached by someone at Chris’s company. She wanted me to make several wax tarts with the Citrus Explosion fragrance, but in pink. Her plan is to give them to people at M.D. Anderson Hospital, which is one of the biggest cancer centers in the United States, as a way of saying thanks for their business. It was my very first corporate order, and I think it was a success. I wish I had thought to take pictures of the finished tarts, because they were VERY pretty, but it never crossed my mind, so busy was I in getting them ready for delivery.
Another thing I’ve been asked to do – and I’ve been a little more hesitant to jump into – is to develop a line of products for people of color. I’m hesitant only because I’m unsure what special concerns black people have when it comes to skin and hair; all I know for certain is that most of them have issues with dryness. Beyond that, I’m just not sure. But I’ve been researching oils and recipes, and I’m hoping that soon I can unveil my first product formulated specifically for people of color.
And let’s not forget my own son’s request back in December to come up with a shampoo bar for him. That has snowballed into others asking for the same thing – namely, Snork, who decided at the first of the year that she is done with commercial shampoos forever! I haven’t been as .. ummm … brave as she has, because I’m using my own lavender and chamomile soap to wash my hair, but I, too, gave up commercial shampoos. I mean, how can I a) know what works, and b) sell products to others that I myself wouldn’t use?
OK, obviously I’m not going to use the line for people of color, because I’m white as the driven snow, and the products I’m developing for that would probably have me drowning in a sea of moisture. But I’ve approached that from the perspective of, What would I want if I needed these products?
Anyway … I’m pleased to announce that the very first shampoo bar will be ready for sale this weekend. I’ll post pictures and more information this weekend. I’m really excited about this one!
Don’t forget that time is running out on the free soap offer. Place an order for $20 or more and get a free bar of soap, your choice!
Until next time, keep it clean!
Shampoo bar!! How completely exciting!! I really LOVE the cammomile lavender. It lathers so nicely I even got Jesse to try the no ‘poo thing, even though he laughs and scoffs at it.
-impatiently waiting for poo bars.
Your wait is nearly over! The very first shampoo bar will be available hopefully by the end of the week. I think you’re going to LOVE it.
So how did Jesse like the no shampoo thing? LOL
I honestly don’t think you NEED a separate line for “people of color.” That’s been such a marketing ploy in the past few decades. We were brainwashed to believe that products otu there simply would not work for us unless they slapped a label on it that denoted it as such, and added a bunch of extra bad stuff like petroleum and mineral oil. Hair is hair and skin is skin. Hair differs in texture and color…but it’s all made up of the same basic “stuff.” Now if you chemical alter it – i.e. relaxing and color – you probably need extra TLC like more moisture and more protein, but that’s about it. Same thing with skin – it’s oily, dry, mixture of the two…but still made up of the same basic stuff…well, I have more melanin, lol.
I’d say, focus more on the types of skin/hair and what’s needed to heal them/alleviate problems. I’d be more apt to go for something aimed at dry hair or dry winter skin, because those are my specific problems. And a lot of the things you already make, I can use.
Just my humble opinion, for the $0.01 it’s worth, lol
Marilie, I don’t intend to add petroleum or mineral oil … but I do think that upping the content of things like shea and cocoa butter may be helpful. And Tee has brought up certain oils that may be more useful … I’m trying to research those too.
The guy down the hall has been giving me pointers based upon his family (his wife is a “natural” hair girl too), but he’s moving out of the country soon, so there goes my source. LOL!
Get his email. LOL!
I’m all about shea and cocoa. I finally got the unrefined cocoa butter and I think it’s the greatest. I think you definitely have a market for products that have more of those ingredients you mentioned. You’re going to have a lot of fun coming up with new stuff! I lack the patience. I can only stand to make something for myself and maybe a few friends, and then I’m done.
I use the unrefined, undeodorized cocoa butter – it is HEAVEN. I love it. LOL
When it first arrived, I couldn’t smell it, due to my sinusitis. But now I can, and not only does it smell good, it tastes good too! LOL