Interview with Jayme of Salt & Shea
Growing up, Jayme of Salt & Shea wasn’t able to use store-bought soap. Because of her allergies, it would irritate her skin. That experience helps Jayme craft handmade products for those with sensitive skin. She uses natural ingredients and avoids harsh chemicals, which means she gets to enjoy her creations as well. Learn more about how Jayme got started, what inspires her, and her soap making tips.
How long have
you been making soap and how did you get started?
I made my first batch of soap a little over four years ago. At the time,
the idea to make soap was completely random and stemmed from one of those lounging
on the couch with your mom, drinking wine, scrolling Pinterest, contemplating life
moments. At the time I was 27 and unfulfilled with my current line of work. I was
looking for a change and had no clue what I wanted to do other than “make
stuff.” I possessed a love for baking and a passion for natural skincare
and then… light bulb I had an idea…. “Mom, I am
going to become an esthetician, help people with their skin, and make
soap!” “Soap? Why soap? You don’t even use bar soap.
You are allergic,” my mom responded. But the idea was planted and I was
going for it. I spent the following few days obsessed with the idea. I googled
everything soap and skincare related and stumbled upon Anne-Marie’s Soap
Queen blog. I watched every video possible, read how-to blogs, and ordered a few
soap making books from Amazon!
A few weeks later for my birthday, my mom gifted me a cold process soap making kit from Bramble Berry. I was so excited! I opened the box, started to work through the recipe, and made my first batch of soap. I was instantly hooked! The rest is history….
What
advice would you give makers just starting their
businesses?
Start small but plan big! Know
your numbers and account for your time! Soap making as a hobby is completely
different than running a sustainable business. Before you embark on selling soap or
think about creating a handcrafted business, you need to have a solid plan and
understanding of things like the real cost of goods (including your labor and
overhead), production procedures and timelines, inventory control, waste management,
branding and marketing, customer service, and the laws and regulations that pertain
to you depending on where you live and conduct business. I recognize as makers we
get excited, create, and want to share it with the world. However, taking the time
to have a plan in place and a good understanding of the business side will help you
stay on track, focused, and eventually
profitable.
What is your favorite type of
product to make?
S.O.A.P! I enjoy pouring
balms, soy wax candles, and packaging gift boxes, but cold process soap is my
favorite product to create. Each batch is unique and one of a kind. You can fully
customize your recipe and do away with the use of toxic chemicals,
parabens, fillers, and commercial skin-stripping additives. The best part is that
you can tailor ingredients to satisfy the needs of different skin types, allergies,
or client concerns.
What is your
number one soap making tip?
Take the time to educate
yourself about the soap making process! Do research, watch videos, and become a
student of the craft. Understand the importance of lye safety, SAP values, and how
to troubleshoot if and when your soapy creation doesn’t go as
planned.
How did you come up with the name
of your business?
Deciding on a business name is
exciting, however, it can be a little daunting – especially in a saturated
market. I exhausted multiple names, email domains, and label templates, but I was
never fully satisfied with the business name I chose. A few months after I had a
deadline to finalize a website purchase and branding collateral, but I
couldn’t pull the trigger. I knew that my current business name was not in
alignment with what I wanted to create. I wanted something fun and cheeky,
eco-friendly, yet natural and feminine.
After a long day of esthetic class, I stopped by Michaels Craft Store looking for inspiration. Cruising down the middle aisles I stumbled upon alphabet letters. I pulled out tons of letters and started piecing words together in the middle of the store. I was currently soaping with a lot of shea butter and seeing the letters sparked an idea. After a few times of ring-around-the-letters and a lot of word play, Salt & Shea was born. I knew I had to create it!
What inspires you to
create?
I find inspiration everywhere. My mind
operates on a burning desire to make something. Most of the time I have moved onto a
new idea before fully processing the last. My friends, family, and current clients
always fuel my creative spark and really keep me going. I guess it comes back to the
joy of creating something that someone else will find happiness
in.
What is your favorite Bramble Berry
product and why?
I enjoy almost everything Bramble
Berry! My favorite products they offer are their natural colorants. They provide a
large selection of plant-based powders, clays, and exfoliating additives. My
favorite is the purple Brazilian clay. I have found it to be hard to
source, so I love that I can get it from Bramble Berry when I place my normal
orders. It provides a natural vibrant color and adds mild exfoliating properties to
the soap. I love using it in our Lavender Lemongrass bar. It’s
one of our top sellers.
Lavender Lemongrass soap
What is something unusual
or unique about you?
I’m allergic to
everything! I have Celiac disease and have suffered from extremely sensitive skin
due to allergies and environmental elements my whole life. Growing up I was allergic
to commercial bar soaps, body wash, bubble bath, and pretty much anything that
smelled good. I never had the “ luxury” of taking a bath or
trying that new lotion or body butter without sending my skin into a complete freak
out. I believe my personal experience of navigating life in an
“allergic” state puts me in a unique position to understand and
show compassion for other people’s
sensitivities.
What are some of your other
interests and hobbies?
When I’m not
creating for Salt & Shea, chances are I am fussing with another DIY
“crafty” project. Most of the time you can find me in our garage
working with wood, staining crates, and sanding old furniture. My love for wood has
definitely influenced my brand and packaging, and it’s something I am
really proud of. I also love walking my two dogs, Tyson and Dallas, baking
gluten-free treats, and spending quality time with my boyfriend hiking
outdoors.
If you
could give one product to a stranger, what would you choose and
why?
That’s simple! It would definitely be
our Zebra Balm (hydrating balm for dry skin). This hydrating balm is skin
happiness in a tin! It’s a proven and true favorite among our
clients, and it’s my personal favorite product. It’s carefully
crafted with organic beeswax that we source locally and skin-loving oils to help
hydrate and protect dry, dehydrated skin. I enjoy creating and gifting this balm so
much because anyone can use it and everyone loves it! Not only does it smell divine,
it leaves you feeling happy, healthy, and hydrated!
Zebra Balm
Have you ever experienced
a soapy fail? What did you learn from it?
My biggest
soapy fail involves 20 pounds of soap, a 5-gallon bucket, a stick blender that
didn’t get to the bottom, and a huge mess. I normally soap 15 pounds at a
time, so I figured 5 more wouldn’t hurt. I made my lye, portioned my oils,
and added them to a 5-gallon bucket. I should’ve known I was in trouble
before I started when the bucket on top of my workspace was almost my height.
Ignoring the obvious, I grabbed a step stool, poured my lye, and went to town.
Keeping with the theme of ignoring the obvious, I didn’t account for my
stick blender being too short or producing enough powder to reach the
bottom to fully emulsify and trace. In the time it took to grab a few
buckets to portion out some of my batter, my essential oil blend started seizing. I
quickly tried to whisk the batter enough to save and pour. The whole batch was
literally a nightmare!
If I learned anything from this soapy fail, it would be to know the limitations of your current situation. I planned for a bigger bucket, but forgot about the rest of my equipment.
What do you love most about
creating bath and body products?
As a maker, I have a
deep love and respect for the handcrafted process as a whole. I appreciate the
opportunity to create and I am proud of what I make. What I love the most
is the joy that fills my heart when my clients and new customers come back and tell
me how much they loved Salt & Shea, the difference they see and feel on
their skin, or how they felt when they gifted one of our boxes. To me,
it’s so much more than making soap or creating body care, it’s
about making someone feel good! It’s my favorite part of the whole
process!
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