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

Alright, Cori thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

Starting a business has been my biggest risk. I LOVE making soap and the creative and mathematical parts of the brain that get exercised, but the business part is TOUGH for a non- business minded person. Committing to that has been the hard for me. Owning a business isn’t just the fun stuff, in fact, the fun is probably the smallest part. Thinking about the administrative parts of a company are enough to send me back to my bed . Signing up for my first market was terrifying, but it’s really been the best way to reach new customers and get the word out there. I was approached by a business owner that had tried my soap, and asked to participate in a market in May of 2021. I agreed but had no idea what to expect. I was so nervous about the questions that people would ask and just generally putting myself out there as the person behind the soap. It ended up being the thing that really kicked off my business. It gave me the confidence I needed to get out there and start really selling. I am still so thankful to Kay and Tammy at Assassin Vintage for that. After 2 market seasons, it’s a part of the job that I have grown to like- it’s fun to see what people think of new products and those that are more “tried and true”. And the small business community in St. Louis is incredible. It’s nice to look forward to seeing friends and catching up while also meeting new customers.

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 background and context?

Soap, lotion, and candles are a beautiful way to pamper yourself or a loved one. I have always loved the fragrance/memory connection so I found a class with a dear friend, and we learned how to make soap! Taking a class made the whole process seem less intimidating. I had never considered myself to be a person capable of doing and understanding chemistry- but have loved learning and growing. I love using clean, natural, environmentally conscientious ingredients. Reducing dependence on, and raising awareness about, single use plastics matters to me, so my packaging is simple, and plastic free. I also make solid dish soap and shampoo bars- plastic free, and my scrubs and body butters are sold in reusable glass containers. Customers appreciate knowing that my soap is beautiful and functional. It has a nice lather, makes you feel and smell good, without harsh chemicals or toxins.

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

This is a fun and evolving part of my business.  Initially it was friends and family, but it has developed through in person sales, word of mouth, repeat business, and social media. PT Soap Co. is sold at Clementines Creamery locations and at Assassin Vintage, the support of these businesses has been amazing.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The soap speaks for itself, and knowing that I will do research to find the best ingredients and choose natural and environmentally friendly options means that the integrity is never in question. Knowing that I’m not afraid to make a change, is important. As a beginner, I used micas, pigments and oxides as colorants, and palm-oil because that seemed like the industry standard. I no longer use these ingredients for ethical and environmental reasons, and have switched to herbs, botanicals and clays as colorants, and have formulated a recipe that makes great soap, almost always vegan (I do offer one or two soaps that use goat milk or honey), without using palm-oil.  As we change our thinking, societally, to include thinking about our skincare as health care, ingredients become more important. Understanding that what you put ON your body is as important as what you put IN your body- having confidence in the maker of your skincare products is critical.  l.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.ptsoapco.com
• Instagram: @ptsoapco
• Facebook: PT Soap Co
• Other: TikTok @PTSoapCo