Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brittany Williams-McNair . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Brittany , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I love this topic so much because it really allows me to take people through the creative process, which is the best part about being an artisan.

I knew soap making was a worthwhile endeavor because I couldn’t stop doing it! Whether I was paid or unpaid for the work, I was so passionate about it that it didn’t matter. I simply enjoyed doing it. I’d never felt like that about a job or any other work I’d done, and that’s how I knew it was something worth pursuing. I also loved the practicality of it. There is always a need for soap. It’s a consumable and people use it on a daily basis, as part of their personal care routine. More importantly, I knew there was a need for soap SPECIFICALLY for sensitive skin.

Mass produced bar + liquid soaps are actually considered cosmetic products. They focus heavily on artificial colors, fragrances, fake foam + colorful packaging, instead of focusing on taking care of your actual skin. They ultimately dry out skin, stripping it of it’s natural moisture. This is why soap is associated with dry skin + residue after use, and why people feel they need to immediately apply lotion/moisturizer. I wanted to show people that true soap is made to both cleanse AND moisturize. It’s true purpose is to make you feel clean while restoring moisture back to the skin without stripping it of it’s natural oils.

Those with sensitive skin/chronic skin conditions often struggle with finding a product to soothe their skin + suit their needs. I am one of those people, and I knew that if I was struggling with this, so were other people. I ultimately began crafting soap with ultra moisturizing ingredients like fresh fruits + vegetables, thick butters + honey. That led me to crafting body balms that would help to seal the moisture retention. In this way, I knew I was both solving a problem + catering to a need. It seems to be working well, as there are hundreds of people using my soap + balms in their daily care routine, for which I am most grateful! It fills me with purpose.

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

I’m Brittany. I’m an herbalist, soapmaker, the creator + sole laborer of THE BODY COVE est. 2017. I handcraft small batch raw fruit + vegetable bar soaps using the traditional cold process method. My passions lie in creating natural soap, herbal medicine + earth sustainability. I’m originally from St. Louis, MO + have been residing in Atlanta, GA since 2012.

My mission is to be a safe space for the community I serve. To create earth friendly, fresh produce based products using locally + ethically sourced ingredients; emphasis on those who suffer from troubled skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, skin sensitivities, skin allergies + chronic ailments.

I also craft herbal infused balms + salves. You can find things like topical pain relief, shampoo bars, body butters + scalp restoration oils in my shop as well.

I feel what sets me apart is my the dedication + longevity to my craft. You can rely on tried + true recipes. I do everything myself, from product photography, crafting, packaging, labeling, shipping, fulfillment, marketing + social media.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn that just because there are thousands of creatives who occupy this space, it doesn’t mean that your work isn’t of value or that it won’t be recognized by people. We may be doing the same thing but we all do it differently, in a way that resonates with different people. Everything doesn’t have to be a competition. I am actually friends with a lot of crafters who do the same thing I do + we offer one another tips + advice all the time. I had to unlearn that someone else being in a space means they are taking from me. What’s meant for you is meant for you. There is enough room for everyone to thrive.

I had to unlearn keeping up with the Joneses! Just because something is trending, doesn’t mean you have to jump on it! It doesn’t mean that if you don’t you’ll be left behind. Create your own lane + stay in it.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

The only reason my business runs is because of the loyalty of my community. The same people buy my products over + over. A lot of times we think high volume low loyalty keeps us going but it’s really the opposite. If you have a small group of loyal customers, they will continue to support you + tell others about you. It may be a slow build but it’s sustainable. I am heavy on my Instagram stories. I spend a lot of time engaging with my community there + we share stories of life, love + everything else! I share their responses of topics anon, but publicly which allows them to connect with others. My customers are not just customers. They are a like a small village that keeps the business running. It feels much more personal + many of them have been with me as long as I’ve been crafting, which is about 5 yrs now.

Contact Info:

• Website: thebodycove.com
• Instagram: @thebodycovesoap

Image Credits
Images by me.