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

Dahlia , appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success, to me, means staying rooted in purpose and showing up with consistency and care. With Swanky Soaps, I set out to create more than just beautiful bars—I wanted to build a brand that reflects luxury, wellness, and integrity. Every product is handcrafted with high-quality ingredients and scented with clean, healthy fragrance oils that feel good on the skin and align with a high-end lifestyle. I believe success comes from staying true to what sets you apart. For me, that’s offering thoughtfully made products that don’t just look and smell amazing, but genuinely elevate self-care in a way that feels intentional and indulgent.

In the beginning stages of building Swanky Soaps, I found myself constantly second-guessing my instincts. The handmade bath and body market is so saturated, and everywhere I looked, sweet and dessert-inspired scents were dominating. I remember testing a batch with a birthday cake fragrance just to “see what would happen”—and immediately realizing it didn’t feel like my brand. It smelled fun, but it wasn’t me. I’ve always been drawn to refined, spa-like scents—fragrances that feel calming, clean, and elevated. I had to ask myself: am I trying to fit in, or do I want to stand out by staying true to my style? That’s when I decided I didn’t need to chase trends to succeed. I could create something luxurious, healthy, and beautifully understated—and trust that the right customers would find it and fall in love with it too.

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

Hi! I’m Dahlia, the founder of Swanky Soaps—a small-batch, luxury skincare line focused on clean, nourishing ingredients and elegant scents. I’ve always loved the idea of turning simple, everyday routines into something special. A few years ago, I started experimenting with soapmaking as a creative outlet, and it quickly turned into a passion. I fell in love with the process—measuring, blending, pouring—and especially how thoughtful ingredients could actually transform skin while making someone feel pampered.
One of my absolute favorite creations in the Swanky Soaps line is our emulsified body butter. It’s unlike anything I had ever used before, which is exactly why I wanted to make it. Most body butters tend to feel heavy or greasy, especially in the thick Southern heat—but this one is different. Because it’s emulsified, it blends seamlessly into the skin like a luxurious cream—rich, but never oily. It’s lighter than a traditional body butter but still more nourishing than a typical lotion, making it that perfect in-between texture that just melts in and disappears without a trace. And best of all, it holds up beautifully in warm weather—no melting on your skin, no slick residue. It’s packed with powerhouse ingredients like argan oil, avocado oil, shea butter, vitamin E, and apricot oil, all chosen to deeply hydrate, soothe, and soften the skin. The result is a weather-stable, skin-loving formula that feels indulgent without being overwhelming. It’s truly my go-to for everyday luxury.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Honestly, the most effective strategy has been building real relationships and letting my products speak for themselves. In the beginning, I focused on getting Swanky Soaps into a few local salons. I carefully chose places that aligned with my brand—spaces that valued quality, wellness, and a more elevated experience for their clients. That gave me the opportunity to get my products in front of people who appreciate thoughtful, luxurious skincare. From there, it really grew through word-of-mouth. People would use a soap or body butter in the salon, fall in love with the scent and how it made their skin feel, and then come looking for more. It wasn’t overnight, but it was real and organic—and those kinds of connections are the most meaningful. I’ve learned that when you focus on quality and consistency, your customers become your best ambassadors.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

One of the biggest leaps I’ve taken was saying yes to a local news feature about Swanky Soaps. I was incredibly nervous—part of me felt like my business was still too small, like I wasn’t “big enough” yet to be on television. But I pushed through the doubt and invited the crew into my home. We filmed an interview while I made soap and bath bombs right in my kitchen, and it felt so personal and raw. Later, we visited one of the local salons that carries my products, and I got to do another interview right there in front of the display shelf. It was surreal, honestly. I remember looking at that little shelf and thinking, “This is real. This is mine.” That experience reminded me that you don’t have to be a massive operation to be worthy of sharing your story. Sometimes the most meaningful things come from small-batch beginnings, and I’m so glad I took that chance. It brought a lot of new eyes to my business, but more than that, it gave me the confidence to keep showing up—just as I am.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Swankysoapsgreersc