We were lucky to catch up with Lydia Randolet recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lydia , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I’m 30 and I live with my parents.

I began my business in Nov of 2019 as a simple side hustle with the hope of bringing in some extra cash while working as an assistant catering manager. Then COVID happened and affected those especially in the hospitality industry. With shortened hours and an increase in rent, I had to make a change. At 28 years old I made the incredibly difficult decision to quit my job and move back in with my parents. I jumped into my barely established business head first giving up my 6 year streak of independence in the process.

While very grateful to have parents willing and able to take me in, the first several months were difficult. After multiple less than stellar bosses in a row, I was tired of the corporate world but i also wanted by independence back. The thought of a “real” job was always there, sitting right behind my daily to-do list.

Fast forward to 2022. I’m 29 and successfully dove into the world of wholesale which quickly became my main source of income and I was even able to start paying myself! I was on the up and up, growing quickly and trying to scale to keep up with demand. I had product in boutiques, hotels, salons, and spas across 32 states. I invested in new equipment, as much shelving as I could possibly fit in the basement and could see the light at the end of the tunnel approaching. I was ready and determined to increase my sales even more in 2023 (and to move out while I was 30).

Fast forward to 5 months. I’m 30 and I live in my parent’s basement. Greedflation has taken its toll on the economy, wholesale has slowed, and markets have been producing less than half what they did the previous summer. A “real” job is front and center in my mind.

I can so clearly visualize the future I want that it hurts. I can see the house, the lifestyle, but I’m not sure my business can take me there yet and as frustrating as that is it’s also OK. 20% of businesses fail in the first 2 years. I’m already past that hurdle. 45% fail after 5 years and I’m determined to sail past it.

It’s so easy to get caught up in an all-or-nothing mindset that you forget about balance. Will my business get me out of the basement while I’m 30? Probably not. But what it has done is allow me to choose a part time job that I will enjoy. My business is giving me the freedom to find a complementary position until I’m truly ready and able to go full time and for that, I am so grateful and so proud.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I joined the ranks of a million and one people who learned to make soap during COVID. Although technically I did it first since I started in Nov 2019. A coworker of mine taught me how and everything branched from there.

I started the business with goat milk soap because that’s what I originally learned to make. When I began researching my own soap recipes, I decided to stick with goat milk because it offers so many benefits for the skin. It makes the soap very gentle so it’s perfect for sensitive skin, it’s moisturizing and makes your skin incredibly soft, it doesn’t strip the skin of its natural oils, and it contains lactic acid which is a natural exfoliator. Talk about all-in-one!

Next I moved into bath soaks made with Epsom salt for muscle relief and pink Himalayan and Dead Sea Salt for hydration and a dose of minerals (also multi-purpose).

Then Shower Steamers (my top selling product) which are great for headaches, congestion and a general pick-me-up.

Finally, bath truffles because who doesn’t love a bubble bath whole their skin is being moisturized.

All of my products serve multiple purposes and offer multiple benefits. For someone in the self-care industry, I might be an outlier for not having a 12 step skincare regimen. I love researching natural ingredients and incorporating their benefits into the products.

I focus on creating potent, effective, and luxurious bath treats for busy women. I make it easy to add a little luxury to your every day.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Wholesale is where things really kicked off for me.

I joined Faire and Abound, two wholesale sites and learned so much from quality packaging/presentation to scaling to pricing. It was a crash course but I survived and now wholesale is my main source of revenue and new clients.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I think I’m in the middle of a pivot.

The economy is changing again and I’m currently learning how to roll with it. I hired a business coach (Madison Paige) who specializes in creating die hard communities on social media.

With markets slowing down I have to find a way to keep customers engaged and building a social media community is it.

Contact Info:

• Website: milkandbodybath.com
• Instagram: @milkandbodybath
• Facebook: Http://Facebook.com/milkandbodybath
• Other: Tiktok: @milkandbodybath

Image Credits
Photo of myself: Jaclyn Armstrong Photography