We were lucky to catch up with Pamela Miller recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Pamela , thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

My dream of a career in social services was cultivated from watching social workers in the 1970s and 1980s in sitcoms such as Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Different Strokes, as well as the movie Annie. In one of the episodes of “Good Times,” Mrs. Dobbs, a case manager, was responsible for processing the adoption paperwork and a home evaluation for Penny, played by a young Janet Jackson. These strong and inspiring people fueled my desire to become a social worker and fight social injustices and help people in need. These portrayal of a compassionate, hardworking social workers sparked an interest in me, and I knew I’d found my calling.

As the years went by, I pursued my education and finally achieved my goal of becoming a social worker. As I embarked on my journey to become a social worker, I always imagined a career that thrived on bettering the lives of others, driven by empathy and understanding, carried out with grace and warmth.

Over the years, I worked to complete my formal education, and I felt alive—like I was living my dream with every passing day. From the moment I stepped into the world of social work, I was filled with a burning passion to bring about change in the lives of those who needed it the most. With an undying belief in the power of empathy and human connection, I embarked on this noble profession, ready to face the countless challenges along the way.

However, the reality of the job was nothing like what I had imagined.
Long hours, overwhelming caseloads, and seemingly never-ending paperwork began to take a toll on my mental and physical well-being by the year 2020.

In the midst of 2020’s chaos and my own stress-induced illnesses, I realized I needed a change. It was time for me to redefine my dreams and aspirations. I began seeking solace in activities that allowed me to decompress from the stressful work environment, and that’s when I stumbled upon the art of soap making.

The mesmerizing swirls of color, the soothing scents, and the satisfaction of creating something with my own hands drew me in. I found my escape from the chaos of my professional life in the meditative nature of soap making.

Soapmaking is a beautiful blend of art and science. The colors, fragrances, and natural ingredients intertwine in harmony, while the precise measurements and temperature control ensure a perfect batch of soap every time.

My journey began with a deep dive into the world of soap making, devouring countless articles, videos, and books and learning about the science of transforming simple ingredients like oils, water, and lye into beautiful, fragrant bars.

I take great satisfaction in producing soaps that are not only beautiful to look at but also good for the skin. Making homemade soaps is a worthwhile endeavor in my opinion because it gives clients a method to nourish and moisturize their skin without using harsh chemicals.

My hobby, like many others, turned into a business when family and friends began requesting my homemade soaps. I quickly learned that you can turn a hobby into a business, but you must put in a lot of effort and have support.

Embarking on the journey of creating Tally Mountain Soap Company, I have been privileged with the unwavering support of numerous wonderful people, two of whom hold prominent positions in my life: my future father-in-law, Randall Tudor, and my uncle, Ray Tudor. Their contributions to my passion for soap-making have been invaluable, as they both generously shared their knowledge, resources, and time to help set the foundation of my burgeoning business.

An enthusiastic soaper and beekeeper himself, Randall often gifted me with his own soap recipes, organic honey, and beeswax.

Tally Mountain holds a special place in my heart. Randall owns Tally Mountain, a mountain peak in Jasper, Georgia. It is a lovely location that has provided me with peace and tranquility and represents the peace that comes from making and using handcrafted soaps. I also want to share that sense of calm with others through my products, which is why I named my company Tally Mountain Soap Company.

After settling on a company name, I had to tackle more difficult questions such as what ingredients to use, who my target consumer was, who my competitor was, and where I would market my products.

I prepared a business plan with these in mind and started outlining what to do by looking up the companies to buy materials from, calculating how much it costs to manufacture a single bar of soap, developing a website, making a logo, forming an LLC, and choosing insurance for my homemade goods.

Although being a business owner requires a lot of work, I am most excited from a social welfare standpoint because I am able to contribute to my community in various ways through my soap-making business. I am deeply committed to giving back to my community and improving the lives of others.

Why is it so important for me to give back to my community?

I find that giving back to my community is a wonderful way to broaden my perspective on the world. I learn so much about how the world functions by being involved in my community and surrounding myself with people who are committed to making the world a better place. Through helping individuals around me, I am able to develop a special sense of purpose.

As part of my sense of purpose and connectedness to my community, I donate to a program that is very important to me.

I donate gift soaps, soap ends, and other goods to young women participating in the program at the Receiving Hope Center every three months to celebrate their efforts and advancement. In order to practice the power of empathy, I also write uplifting messages on each gift soap. My wish is for the young women to find courage, comfort, and peace in their own journey.

Receiving Hope Center (RHC) provides trauma-informed care to survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking in the service of physical, emotional, and mental restoration.

By purchasing my handmade soaps, my customers are also supporting my efforts at RHC.

My involvement in the community has expanded as a result of running a small business. In 2021, I joined the more than 250 booth merchants at The Dallas Market (TDM). TDM has produced a good, measurable impact in my small town community by giving people a place to congregate for fun, shopping, entrepreneurship, education, and another way, of course, to purchase my homemade soaps.

As a naturally creative person, I enjoy decorating my booth and providing customers with a distinctively tranquil and one-of-a-kind experience. Furthermore, I am able to express my passion for soapmaking within my booth space, allowing others in my community to explore the art of soap making.

Pamela , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Here is some information about who I am and my soap-making journey.
I’m Pamela Miller, and I’m 49. I currently reside Dallas, Georgia. Dallas is a city in Paulding County, part of the Atlanta metro area, and lies about 30 miles northwest of the city center.

I have a fiancée and two boys. I like to go hiking, walking, fishing, camping, and traveling when I’m not making soap. My previous career was in social work.

The year 2020 was a year that I will never forget. That year brought about so many changes for me, but one of the best things it brought me was the opportunity to be more creative through a new hobby. soap making! I discovered the joy of creating soaps using the cold process method to make simple, natural soaps using ingredients such as spices, honey, herbs, and dried botanicals, all of which are great for the skin.

My collection also features body butters, lotions, bath bombs, custom wedding, baby shower, and special occasion soap favors.

I’m passionate about what I do. I believe it’s so important to do what we love, and it’s even more rewarding when we can share it with others! I invite you to share my love of soaps!

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Running and navigating a small business requires a great deal of bravery and creative thinking. Some paths are more challenging than others, and you never know exactly where the journey will take you. Along the road, there is always so much to discover, learn, and admire. Having multiple revenue sources has given me options to navigate through periods of slowdown, especially after the holiday shopping season, and it has helped my small business not only survive but also expand in ways that are sustainable going forward. Participating in local events, festivals, farmers markets, pop-up shops, e-commerce, teaching making courses, wholesale, consignment, and having a booth at the Dallas Market are just a few of my numerous sources of income.

I also look for innovative ways to offer unique soap experiences, such as private soap-making parties and custom soap favors for weddings, baby showers, retirements, and other special occasions.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Being a member of several online soapmaking communities has greatly benefited me. They have given me encouragement, inspiration, and learning opportunities. I get to interact with soapers of all levels and backgrounds (beginner to advanced) in the groups and learn about the latest soapmaking trends and techniques.

Furthermore, groups have provided me with opportunities to attend workshops, classes, and online tutorials. These opportunities have assisted me in improving my soapmaking skills, learning new techniques, and broadening my knowledge of soapmaking ingredients and methods. Similarly, I can connect with other soapmakers who can provide advice on suppliers, marketing plans, and other business-related issues.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TallyMountainSoapCompany.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tallymountainsoap?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tallymountainsoapcompany?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: Special Acknowledgement: My soap business would not be successful without the help and support of my beloved fiancé (Dennis Tudor), my sons (Patrick & Sterling Miller), my very first customer (Caleigh Wilson), amazing friends, and loyal customers. My products, I also located at The Dallas Markets, located at 398 W Memorial Dr, Dallas, GA. My booth number is #420 and is located in bldg # 1 just right of the main entrance past the check out. Information on the Receiving Hope Center: If you would like more information on how to help or donate to this wonderful program, please contact Lisa Braddock at [email protected] or (678) 873-7219. Here is information about the Paulding Center: https://www.mdjonline.com/neighbor_newspapers/west_georgia/paulding-county-is-now-home-to-the-first-residential-intake-center-for-trafficked-youth-in/article_1e16e754-5765-11ea-9e2d-bbc713c9c300.amp.html

Image Credits
Image Credit: Dennis Tudor