We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shanece Moss a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shanece thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Has Covid resulted in any major changes to your business model?

Ironically, I started my business during the 1st covid shut down 2 years ago. The first stimulus check is what I used to purchase all of my startup ingredients, a shelf and a portable table. I already wanted to start my business but that it was gave me the funds to jump into it. In February I had covid which caused me to shut down my business for a month. I make all products at home and I wanted to make sure that I had everything sanitized and wiped down. I will say that I’m still struggling now to get my business back to where it was before I got covid. That taught me to always prepare for the worst in a sense. I made me work harder to be able to separate my business and home.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started Soap Fluent because I have eczema and regular store brands were not cutting it. When I first started using natural soap I felt cleaner and my skin wasn’t dry. I wanted to create my own natural products to help people like me that wanted to improve their skin simply. I started out only making natural soap but I knew eventually I was going to expand. I now offer bar soaps, liquid hand soaps, body washes, body oils, shower steamers, body lotions and bath soaks. A lot of my customers usually ask me which product is good for eczema and I always tell them “all of my products are created to help with eczema.” I feel like that’s what sets me apart from others. Continuing in the direction that I started. I’m most proud of continuing on and making it to my 2 year anniversary. I got my 600th order a couple months ago and it reallllyyy hit me, I have shipped to places I’ve never been. I’m still waiting on my first international order, that’s one of the goals I want to hit this year. I want potential clients to know that I’m here for any questions that I can answer. I’m not an expert but I hope to be one day. One of the things required in having a Cosmetologist license is continued education. I will do Esthetician classes now because it falls under my license. Knowledge is power and I’m always willing to learn. I live at work lol my business is set up in my living room. I put so much love into all of my products and any feedback I get is great. I may not get everything right but I will do I have to, to correct it.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process./

Yes, I manufacture all products. Before I got started I watched sooo many soap making videos, I was obsessed and still am actually lol. I got books to read and took notes from youtube university lol. I studied formulating which was very tough creating the body lotions. I have vendors that I purchase ingredients ( Shea butter, coconut oil etc) packages and bottles. The hardest thing for me was purchasing essential oils. Not being a smell them before purchasing was tough but I had to trust in myself that I was making the correct decisions. Finding vendors is like a trial and error kind of thing. Buying in smaller quantities at first it’s definitely a great start when purchasing from a vendor. I have learned that having plan b and c vendors are crucial. ALWAYS find whatever ingredients you can locally first. There’s nothing better than being able to walk in a store to get what you need versus waiting on shipping.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

I funded my business with the first stimulus check in 2020. I wanted to start it before but that really have me the push I needed. At that point it was like what excuse do you have now? Starting my business during the pandemic was a wild decision lol. That’s crazy determination!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.soapfluent.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/soapfluent_
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/soapfluent
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/soapfluent