April Maker of the Month: Soaphee

Learn more about how Nicolette got started, what inspires her, and her favorite Bramble Berry products! Check out her website and social media. 

How long have you been making soap and how did you get started?
I’ve been making bath and body products for about two and a half years. I started shortly after becoming a first‑time mom, when I began experiencing unexpected skin issues. That pushed me to create my own natural soap formula, and from there I expanded into skincare products that complemented the line.

What sets your products apart, what makes them unique? 
Our products are clean, minimalist, and chemist‑formulated. I have 15 years of industry experience as a chemist, and I apply my scientific background in formulating my soap and skincare products. I’m very intentional about the ingredients I use, and I source them from reputable suppliers like Bramble Berry to ensure consistency and quality. Because my formulas are minimalist, every ingredient has a purpose so nothing extra and nothing unnecessary. I test and refine each formula multiple times until it performs the way it should. Not all brands take that approach, and not everyone uses clean, straightforward ingredients. My goal is to create products that are gentle, effective, and reliable for people who want simple skincare they can trust.

Where do you find creative inspiration? 
I find a lot of inspiration from established soapmakers whose work I’ve admired over the years. Seeing how they approach formulation, design, and ingredient choices has shaped my own style and helped me develop what Soaphee is today. Their creativity pushed me to refine my techniques, stay curious, and continue improving my formulas while still keeping everything clean, simple, and true to my own standards as a chemist.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?
My favorite part of the creative process is blending essential oils and building scents that feel unique, like my Turmeric Citrus and Charcoal Oasis bars. I enjoy experimenting until the scent feels balanced and true to the formula. I also find decorating the soap tops very therapeutic, it’s the moment where the batch comes to life visually. Overall, I love showing that you can create effective skincare without fillers or unnecessary ingredients, and that everything can be made clean, simple, and natural.

What has been your biggest challenge to navigate as a small business owner?
One of my biggest challenges has been budgeting and managing inventory. I don’t continuously make large batches unless I know the products will sell, because oils can oxidize if they sit too long or aren’t stored properly. I have to be very intentional about how much I produce and when I produce it. Balancing the cost of ingredients, planning small‑batch production, and making sure nothing goes to waste has been a learning process, but it has also helped me stay disciplined and focused on quality.

 How do you balance making soap with content creation, social media, and your website? 
I keep things simple and consistent. I make sure to post at least once a week, usually sharing behind‑the‑scenes content from my workspace. Most of my followers are soapmakers themselves, so they enjoy educational reels where I explain things from a chemist’s point of view. That makes content creation feel more natural for me. For my website, I mainly focus on keeping my online shop updated and making sure inventory is accurate. It’s a balance, but staying organized and posting regularly helps me manage everything without feeling overwhelmed.

What other makers do you admire and why? 
I really admire Ashley Marie because she handles everything by herself, even now that she’s producing much larger volumes. She still works in a very hands‑on, maker‑driven way, and that level of discipline and commitment to her business is something I truly respect. I also look up to Joanna Gaines as a business woman. She has a team and uses a more systemized production method to scale her product offerings, but she still maintains a handmade and high quality feel. Seeing makers who grow in different ways whether through solo large‑volume work or through thoughtful scaling inspires me to keep improving my own processes and staying true to my standards.

What are your dreams for Soaphee? Where would you like to see your business in 5-10 years? 
My dream is to see Soaphee in large retail chains, especially in organic/natural grocery stores where clean beauty is truly valued. At the same time, I’m a mom and still navigating what the future looks like for both my family and my business. I’m taking things step by step, but I’m very hopeful. I believe in the quality of my products, and I believe Soaphee has the potential to grow into something successful and meaningful in the long run.

What are your must-have Bramble Berry products and why do you love them? 
One of my must‑have Bramble Berry products is their soap molds in any size. My very first mold was their 1 lb silicone mold, and I still use it. Another favorite is my stick blender from Bramble Berry. It was one of my first soapmaking tools, and it’s still working perfectly after all these years. And of course, their essential oils are a staple for me. The scents last a long time, they’re easy to blend, and having all the IFRA documentation available makes formulating so much easier and safer.