We recently connected with Leila Baroudi and have shared our conversation below.

Leila, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

My main goal with this business is to produce products that are safe, healthy, beneficial to humans and not harmful to the environment. All of my ingredients are certified organic and non GMO plant based oils. I adamantly maintain my local business as a nonprofit organization as automatic withdrawals voluntarily go to Saint Jude Hospital. A certain percentage of earnings goes to Ruby’s Market and R Bazaar, which supports immigrants and refugees. I have by heart been with R Bazaar since the successful beginning of my local business. I personally devote most of the earnings percentages are constantly donated to a cancer patient a beloved relative of mine in Lebanon. I had lost three dear cousins to infectious cancer as it is typically spreading.

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.

My soap making business is my current hobby and stress relief from obstacles in life. My biggest dream is for my business to grow and expand into a well-known brand. Handmade soap by heart is an essential need in everyone’s active life. My brother began making organic soap from Unrefined Organic Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. He encouraged me to follow his steps. I developed my business with unscented and uncolored organic soap. I would add Unrefined Organic Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter along with many other organic oils from nature. Many of my customers wanted more of the customized, colored soap including their favorite fragrant essential oils. Primitively, I was a bit reluctant about including colors and scents. However, I needed to expand and satisfy my customers’ needs without sacrificing the main objective for the safety of people and the environment, which includes finding ingredients that are organic. My products are made free from unnatural and unharmful products because we value the environment and the people around us. When I used to buy commercial soaps in the past, my skin was constantly sensitive and eczematic. Soon after that I discovered how many chemicals and harmful products are included in variety of commercial soaps that do not even lather well. I began producing my own soap for my family, and that’s when I began to see tremendous changes. We had less dry skin and breakouts. It was in fact a life changer using organic products derived from nature. After having relatives and friends try the soaps, they all claimed that it was unquestionably a healthier option. I decided to move forward from there and open up my business to help other people around me. Today I have expanded into making other products such as shampoo and conditioner, lotions, body butters, lip balms, scrubs (sugar, coffee, etc.) , facial scrubs masks, and even bath bombs. Similarly, with the shampoo and conditioner, using the store bought ones extremely weakened my hair making it dull and fall out more. As a result, using these certified organic products was a true-life changer. I plan to continue to grow in the future and benefit others along the way.

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

I began my business very slow trying to participate in craft fairs. I joined R Bazaar which provided me the chance to participate in many opportunities. I never made profit throughout the first few prime years. Purchasing certified organic ingredients was costly. I also approached the private owner of local Rapha Rx pharmacy in Denver, and I was enthusiastic to promote selling my handmade soap there as well. When my cousins were getting ill back home, is when I initiated the idea to maintain the business as a nonprofit. I keep trying to support my loved ones that are financially struggling back home. My clients got to appreciate and enjoy my products as they always come back for more. It is exciting when they eagerly follow me around to craft fairs to shop and enthusiastically support my business.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

During COVID and the quarantine, my business suffered tremendously and that is when I opened my Etsy shop. It was extremely slow and I paid a lot for advertisements. However, now it is successful with clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.flanasoap.com
• Instagram: flanasoap
• Facebook: FLANA Organic Soap Bars
• Other: Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/flanasoap
  Tiktok: flana_soap Gmail: flanasoap@gmail.com