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Maker of the Month: Creamy Obession

How long have you been making bath & body products, and what led you to start your own business?
When I had my third baby, another mom gifted me a few plain bars of goat milk soap. At the time, the handmade niche was completely foreign to me. Honestly, I was a little nervous to even use them! But when I finally did, I was hooked. I immediately noticed the rich lather and how incredibly soft it left my skin.

Eventually, curiosity got the best of me. I started researching the soapmaking process on YouTube, and the creative aspect of it drew me in more than anything else. I fell in love with the vibrant colors, the intricate pour techniques, and the freedom to make every single bar my own.

I began sharing my journey, pouring my heart into every design, and people naturally started following along on social media. What began as a creative outlet quickly blossomed into something much bigger. Before I knew it, I was launching my own website to keep up with orders! It is hard to believe that I’ve been creating bath and body products for eight years now.
What sets your products apart, what makes them unique?
I’m a bit of a rebel in the soapmaking world. What I mean is that I don’t follow trends or focus on what’s popular. Instead, I love to challenge myself, think outside the box, and design bars that are absurdly complicated. What’s the worst that can happen? Even if a complex pour doesn't go exactly as planned, I still end up with high quality soap with a luscious lather.

For me, enjoying the creative process is everything. I view my products as functional art. There is just something so special when a new design comes together even better than I could have ever imagined. I think that raw passion and willingness to take creative risks is exactly what draws people in. They aren't just getting a bar of soap... they are getting a piece of my imagination.
Where do you find inspiration?
Inspiration doesn’t have a single source for me, it’s genuinely everywhere.

Sometimes a design begins with a color palette that I can't get out of my head, while other times a fun, new fragrance sparks the entire concept. Often, my goals are visual and emotional. I especially love the challenge of translating a specific image or feeling directly into the soap itself.

The best part about this creative journey is that inspiration never truly has an endpoint. Every batch opens the door to a new idea, a more challenging technique, or another story to tell.
What is your favorite part of the creative process?
While I genuinely enjoy every step of making soap, I think the pour itself will always be my favorite part. This is my place to think, pray, softly hum along to the whirl of the stick blender. Somewhere in this process, the weight of the world is lifted from my shoulders. As I stir the batter, quiet calculations running through my mind, I find myself steadied by the cascade of colors. It truly does satisfy and heal something deep within me.
What has been your biggest challenge to navigate as a small business owner?
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge has been navigating the delicate balance between my business and my personal life.

Conventional business advice says that success requires strict discipline: marketing on every platform, constant content creation, and nonstop customer outreach. But as a solo entrepreneur, you aren't just the maker. You are the packaging department, the shipping clerk, the customer service representative, the inventory planner, and the accountant. It can be completely exhausting.

When you add a busy household into the mix (I have seven little ones who depend on me), burnout is a very real risk. Over the years, I’ve had to learn how to shift my priorities. If a business becomes all work and no play, it loses the soul that made it special in the first place. I’ve realized that it is entirely okay if my business stays closer to a intentional, hobby-level pace. Sometimes, the best thing I can do for my business, and my family, is to step away for a bit, recharge, and refocus.
What advice would you give to makers looking to start their own business from home?
My absolute best advice for anyone wanting to start a home-based business is simple: just start.

So many people face a massive mental block initially because they are terrified of failure. But the truth is, by never giving your dream a chance, you are already accepting defeat. You cannot succeed without trying.

You don't need to know or understand everything before you begin... that clarity only comes through the process of doing. And honestly, I can tell you that you never really stop learning and growing. It is a beautiful, lifelong process. So take the leap, embrace the learning curve, and just go for it without comparing yourself to anyone else!
How do you balance making with content creation, managing your social media pages, and website?
As I mentioned earlier, it is a continuous learning process, and I won't pretend to have it all figured out. But I’ve learned that it is not only okay, but vital, to stay true to your own pace and take breaks when you need them.

Why do we put these impossible expectations on ourselves to do it all? We aren't machines, and we aren't entire marketing departments for mega-corporations. We are human. Honestly, I think showing up as an actual human, imperfectly and authentically, is exactly what makes people resonate with a small business.

Realistically, that means my content creation is a bit fluid. My social media pages might see sporadic posting because I’m waiting for the perfect natural sunlight to take a photo, or simply waiting for the creative muse to strike for my next project. I prioritize the art and my peace over the algorithm, and my community respects that.
What other makers do you admire, and what do you like about their work?
I have been incredibly fortunate to learn from and grow alongside some amazing creators in the soapmaking community!

First, there is Teri from Tree Marie Soapworks. She was a massive inspiration to me when I was first watching YouTube tutorials years ago. I think we share a bit of a perfectionist streak! I absolutely love how meticulously she measures her colors, cleans her bars, and shares the raw, unedited moments when things go wrong. She is incredibly authentic, kind, and has a true teacher's heart.

Another creator I deeply admire is Holly from Holly's Soapmaking on YouTube. She is another original maker I followed early in my journey. Her videos are so soothing, satisfying, and beautifully put together. Honestly, if you can’t make a batch of soap yourself, watching one of Holly's videos is absolutely the next best thing!

Finally, there is Martha Rose, the compassionate soul behind the Soaper’s Haven Facebook group. Martha is one of the most encouraging, open, and genuinely sweet human beings you will ever meet. The community space she built is incredibly special because she enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy for bullying or negativity. She is an amazing teacher who is always ready to help troubleshoot a recipe or lift someone’s spirits, and is just a beautiful soul all around.
What are your dreams for your business? Where would you like to see your business in or years?
Looking ahead five or ten years, my dream is to streamline the nitty-gritty, "no-fun-but-necessary" aspects of running a business. Ideally, that means growing to a point where I can outsource or hire out the operational tasks I don't particularly enjoy, giving me the freedom to spend my time on the parts of the process that I truly love. I want to build a system that allows me to be more organized, efficient, and consistent, especially when it comes to video editing and social marketing.

But the ultimate dream is much closer to home. A few of my children have recently expressed an interest in making soap. While I never want to push them into this craft just because it’s my passion, if they develop a genuine desire to learn alongside me, it would be a dream come true. I would love nothing more than to watch this intentional small business evolve into something our entire family builds together, creating a lasting creative legacy for the people I love most.
What are three of your must-have Bramble Berry products, and why do you love them?
Oat Oil This is handsdown one of my favorite raw ingredients It adds the perfect layer of rich luxury to my specialty salt bars check out the free recipe on my YouTube channel and cleansing creams My skin absolutely thrives whenever I include it in a recipe.

Titanium Dioxide I have tried so many different brands over the years Ive been making soap but I always come back to Bramble Berry It mixes incredibly smoothly without streaking or clumping Having a reliable high quality white base is an absolute must when blending the custom mica shades that set my artistic pours apart I always have a big bottle or two mixed up and ready to go.

Wild Cranberry Aspen Fragrance Oil Choosing just one scent is nearly impossible because I love so many of them However in this season this fragrance is a standout favorite It behaves beautifully in cold process has an amazing scent retention and effortlessly elevates the landscape soaps I love to pour with it.

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