Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in soap making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tarra Hardeman, Owner of The Carmel Soap Company, located in San Antonio, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We handcraft genuinely natural bath, body, and home products. Our customers are people who value natural products that are handmade and affordable.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a mom, a wife, and an entrepreneur. My family has always been my priority, and providing the best for them has always been a goal. I purchased a big brand of body wash for babies in 2016 and was disappointed when I opened the bottle and smelled window cleaner. The front label noted "natural" and "Lavender," but I smelled chemicals. I reviewed and researched the ingredients and found that the bottle contained water, detergent, and fragrance. I researched every product in my home that day and found that many of the ingredients were the same as that body wash, even floor and bathroom cleaners. I set out to learn more about the skin's needs and started our business. Now, more than six years later, we handcraft 80+ products for every family member, our hair, and our homes. We are continually motivated with integrity and being able to educate customers.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is keeping my business open during COVID. That period was tough on small businesses and continues to impact our businesses. Large corporations run the skin care field, and people have changed their shopping habits. Pivoting throughout the last few years has taught me a lot about myself, my business, and my place in this field.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The ups and downs of sales are the hardest part. One month will be amazing, and the next will be dismal. Those dismal periods will have an entrepreneur in reflection mode, and those times are not easy. Most of the time, it just comes with the territory, but other times it means we need to change. Figuring out which is the challenge.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Get all of your paperwork and ideas in line first.
  2. Seek funding that is not your own right away.
  3. Get insured and certified asap.

These steps will save you a lot of headaches in the future and will give you a clear way forward, especially when things suddenly change and you need to pivot.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We are a different type of Bath and Body Company. We only use natural ingredients, and we only handcraft all of our products from scratch. The integrity of our products is our number one priority, and providing amazing customer service is a close second.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://carmelsoap.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carmelsoap
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carmelsoap/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carmelsoap
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarra-hardeman-47b14094/

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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