Why Would a Bath & Body Company Teach Soapmaking Classes? Good Question!

One of my followers on Twitter asked me a great question yesterday. She wanted to know why I teach soapmaking classes when my primary business at Back Porch Soap Company is making bath and body products. It made me pause and think about my reply.

I'll digress for a bit for those of you who don't know much about Twitter. Twitter is a social marketing site with a bit of a twist: you can only post 140 characters at one time. This makes communicating challenging at times. So responding to my follower's question in only 140 characters made me think of a condensed response. But there was so much more I wanted to say!

So here are my thoughts on teaching soapmaking classes and what it does for everyone involved: my students, me and my business.

First, teaching soapmaking and entrepreneurial classes gives me the chance to work one-on-one with great students. Just as soapmaking is therapeutic for me on days when I'm cranking out hundreds of bars, it is also therapeutic for my students in more ways than one. They leave proud, with a smile on their face, having been creative for the day and with bars of soap in tow.

Second, it builds my brand. Sure, I help my students make their own soap and their creations are a result of their masterminds. That is why it results in great marketing. Most of the soaps that leave my class become gifts. And with those gifts come bragging rights. "I made that soap," will inevitably come proudly out of the giver's mouth. "You did? Where?" will most surely be the response from the recipient. Are you getting the picture? Even if gift recipient doesn't take a soapmaking class, they will probably at the very least peruse my website and very possibly become my NEXT best customer!

Lastly, it's true what is said about teaching. Sometimes the teacher can learn more than the students. Even though I consider myself to be an expert soapmaker, I enjoy seeing soapmaking through someone else's eyes. I don't have classes to "steal" my student's ideas. Far from it. Instead, watching fearless students mixing fragrances I would never consider makes me realize over and over again how important it is to experiment and not get too comfortable in the way we are doing, making, and selling.

So thank you, Twitter friend, for asking me why I teach soapmaking.

If you're in New England sign up for one of Back Porch Soap Company's Soapmaking, Natural Skincare, and Entrepreneur classes held in the Boston, Massachusetts area.

Visit Back Porch Soap This Weekend at Boston's South End Open Market

If you love Boston - and shopping in an open-air market for wonderful, indie-made products - then stop by and say hello this weekend at the South End Open Market Studios.
I'll be there 10-5 on Saturday and Sunday, selling fantastic handmade soaps, shea butters, creams, kids toy soaps, gift sets and much more. You can also stop by and pick up information on soapmaking and small business classes as well. You can find more class information here on my website: http://www.backporchsoap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15
The weather forecast is for a cool and dry weekend, perfect for strolling the market and grabbing a bite to eat in the South End.
With an ever-changing group of artisans, a hip location and the chance to feel the sun on your face while you browse, it's a trip worth making. The Market offers the opportunity to meet the artists and vendors behind the work, and is fast becoming part of the South End's well-known artist's community. Every week offers shoppers something different and unique - you won't want to miss it!
The Market hosts a wide variety of vendors, whether you're looking for hand-crafted accessories, original art, antiques or just a fresh loaf of bread, you'll find painters, sculptors, photographers, clothing and jewelry designers, milliners, handbag designers, house wares, antique dealers, florists, bakers, local farmer's produce, and much more every week!
For directions and more info on this weekend check out: http://www.southendopenmarket.com/index.htm

This weekend...Newport, RI Flower Show!

This weekend (June 27-29) Back Porch Soap Co. will be exhibiting at the Newport, Rhode Island Flower Show, located at Rosecliff Mansion. The event is spectacular, and includes a tour of the entire estate. There is live music all weekend, a seaside cafe, 60 boutique vendors, as well as horticulture experts who will be demonstrating and sharing gardening and landscaping ideas all weekend long.
http://www.newportmansions.org/page4702.cfm
My tent will be near the sea wall on the lawn toward the right side. The weather looks great for this weekend, so come say hello!
There is a cocktail reception on the lawn Friday evening, which I am eagerly anticipating.
So for the past several weeks it's been extra busy here in the studio preparing for the show. We will have lots of sea glass soaps, seashell soaps, our bestselling bars, 100% shea butter, shea butter lotion, gift sets, beautiful sea-inspired wreaths, starfish planters, organic products, jacuzzi and bath salts and kids toy soaps.
If you haven't been to Newport, it's a great getaway destination with fabulous shops, hotels and restaurants. Check out http://www.gonewport.com
Hope to see you there!

Beach Wedding Themes and Favors

Recently I was reading about wedding facts for 2008 at http://forever-weddings.blogspot.com/2008/04/2008-wedding-statistics.html

I was surprised to see that June 2008 is not the most popular month this year for weddings. Then I did a little more research and found that August wins in 2008 for most booked weddings. Maybe you already know why...August 2008 has a special date that matches the year, which is 08/08.

An estimated 233,413 brides will say "I do" this August. Seaside-themed weddings are more popular than ever, with themes ranging from Luau to Yacht to Sand and Surf.

Our gorgeous, handmade sea glass guest soaps have been one of most popular favors for brides to give their guests. Turnaround time for favor orders is just 10 days. We customize hangtags with bride and groom names and their special date. Enjoy special pricing on 50 or more (regular retail is $12.00), free personalization and free shipping. Email me for details on the best pricing I am able to offer.



Order a sample online at http://www.backporchsoap.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=14&zenid=103b3e37ef60f1434b53ada87ce00806 You'll receive your sample within 3-5 business days. Once you receive your sample and decide to place your favor order of 50 or more, I will gladly credit the price of the sample plus shipping to your account.

Your guests will be so glad you didn't opt for Jordan almonds. :)

Heading to Boston's South End Open Market this Weekend!

If you're in Boston this weekend stop by the Sound End Open Market and pick up some goodies from us! We'll have lots of soaps, shea butters, shea butter lotions, bath salts, kids toy soaps and of course lots of sea-inspired goodies.

For directions or more info head over to: www.southendopenmarket.com

Happy Mother's Day!

Be good to mom. Send her a little love with our special promo. It's okay if you're late. She will forgive you. ;)
This pretty graphic was sent to me by one of my wholesale customers. I made a bunch of personalized soaps for her. They were so pretty!
Head on over to our site and enjoy the 20% promotion and free shipping until May 15!
http://www.backporchsoap.com

May Promo - 20% off and Free Shipping!

In honor of Mother's Day and all the celebrations that come around in May (think birthdays, teacher's gifts, graduation gifts, early Father's Day presents...hey, Dads like soap too!), we are offering 20% all retail orders over $60 and free shipping within the continental U.S.

This offer will run until May 15, 2008, so get yourself over to http://www.backporchsoap.com/ to get yourself a great deal and enter promo code PAMPERMOM at checkout.

One of our most popular gifts, this two-soap set with seashell potpourri (for only $24.00) can be found under Gifts From the Sea. In addition to the fragrant seashells, it contains two best-selling soaps, our 5 oz. Sea Glass and Sea Salt bars, both long lasting and moisturizing. They are scented with Ocean Mist, a clean, soft fragrance.

Need a custom gift set or special gift giving needs that need extra attention? Simply email us at info@backporchsoap.com and we'll make your gift giving fast, easy and fun! We'll even tuck in a personalized note to your gift recipient at no extra charge.

While you're there be sure to sign up for our newsletter. We send out our best sales, specials and news to our beloved newsletter subscribers. Don't worry, we won't share or sell your info!