We recently connected with Helena Keasler and have shared our conversation below.
Helena, appreciate you joining us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?
Innovation has been a joy for Wit and Bubbles. We wanted to make a huge difference and help our community. We began by donating a percentage of sales to charity, but now we took it a step further. We help raise funds for missions, schools, and nonprofits with Fundraise The Bar™! Our small business offers catalog-style and virtual fundraisers profiting causes at 50%. We are blazing the path for bubbly generosity.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
Wit and Bubbles is a soap manufacturing small business in Buford, GA. Made by a real life scientist and picky mama, these suds have a squeaky clean list of ingredients. We believe in fresh starts and pure hearts. Our vegan soaps and shampoo bars are made to be enjoyed by the whole family. We offer award-winning favors, fundraisers, gift boxes, and wholesale/private label. We are so happy to help families ditch toxins and plastic, to see schools and missionaries achieve their financial goals, and to be part of so many celebrations.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Wit and Bubbles started teeny tiny. With two soap molds, a cheese cutter, a blender, and the paperwork for the LLC. Other costs included the website, a printer, insurance, and basic office supplies to label, pack, and ship orders. The money came from gift cards I’d received from Christmas, from family and friends. The company launched with just over 200 soaps in inventory, in 5 varieties. Small starts are beautiful! Debt-free starts require patience and strategy, but they’re absolutely possible.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
When Wit and Bubbles began pursuing wholesale accounts, my very first pitch was a flop. I carried the bulky box with one of each kind of soap, and had designed what I’d hoped was a wonderful catalog. When I arrived at the store, I knew right away it wasn’t a good fit, but it was too late to leave. I mustered up the courage to chat with the owner and she’d quickly told me she wasn’t interested. I felt hot tears well up as I walked back to my car. What a rough experience! But I knew the quality of my products and that God would open the right door.
My second wholesale pitch was entirely different. I walked into a beautiful, tastefully designed boutique. I remember gasping and hoping such a talented curator would appreciate my soaps. When I looked into her eyes, I could see the sparkle and delight. She loved the soaps! Her order was the biggest I’d ever had up to that point. I felt hot tears well up as I walked back to my car. That time they were tears of joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: Witandbubbles.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/witandbubbles
- Facebook: Facebook.com/witandbubblesllc
- Other: Fundraisethebar.com
Image Credits
Whitney Huynh Photography