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

Nancy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To be successful, you need to be persistent and optimistic because it will help you overcome any challenges along the way. When I first embarked on my soap-making journey, I thought success would come knocking on my door the instant I said, “Hey! I want to start a small business making handmade soap!” Oh, but I was wrong. Little did I know that it was not going to be that easy. While I have had many good days, I have also encountered bad ones. I have had long stretches without any online or in-person sales, including market days. At one market I attended last year, my sales were very low, which left me feeling disappointed. My family was there to help me since it was an 8-hour event. When the night ended, and we packed my things away, I was so upset I almost cried. My eldest looked right at me and said, “Hey, mom! It’s OK. Today wasn’t a good day, but I’m sure you will do better at the next market,” and he was right. While that market had been a big fail, the one right after was a huge success with a profitable year-end close. In all honesty, giving up crossed my mind that night, but I learned a valuable lesson: It’s ok to have an unsuccessful day. A bad day should never derail us completely or be a reason to give up. Instead, it should be an opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive, Although the journey has not been easy, I am enjoying the process, and I am proud of how far I’ve gotten, where I currently am today, and what the future holds for me.

Nancy , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Five years ago, I fell in love with my first handmade soap I purchased on Etsy. I was amazed at how creamy and moisturizing the soap felt on my skin, and I later discovered that this was due to the natural glycerin that handmade soap retains. Truthfully, I never thought handmade soap could feel that good, so I’ve been buying them ever since. The thought of having a large variety of scents to choose from is amazing because it displays the creativity of the crafter, and you are not only limited to a small set of options.

I specialize in handmade artisan soaps and bath treats including, sugar scrubs, bath bombs, solid lotion bars, facial oils, and shampoo and conditioner bars. I have developed a full range of products to indulge from head to toe. I want my clients to feel entirely cared for during their self-care routine, whether it’s their hair, face, or body.

When I was planning out my small business, I had one purpose in mind: to make others look forward to a time of relaxation and enjoyment during their self-care moments. There is nothing better than taking a warm bath or a shower after a long day to loosen up, unwind, and clear the mind. This is why I take great pride in making luxurious bath products using quality ingredients that will not only moisturize the skin, but also arouse the senses.

I am most proud of the passion and love that I put into my creations. All of my products are handcrafted with love because I want others to feel joy when they use them. I carefully choose quality ingredients that are safe for my clients through extensive research. I love knowing what goes into each handcrafted item I make.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

When I first started, I did not know a single thing about soap manufacturing. Little by little, I started doing research online on how to make soap. I purchased books from Amazon, and I also watched soap making videos on YouTube from Royalty Soap, Pixie Suds, Ophelia’s Soapery, and Quench Bear Soap where I learned about lye safety, how to create your own soap recipe, and different color and design techniques. In addition, I joined a Facebook group called Saponification Nation where you could ask questions about anything related to soapmaking. After I learned how to make soap and was feeling confident, I later began to research other products that I could add to my portfolio.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty through social platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. I like to send out marketing emails via Shopify to let my customers know about upcoming sales and market days. I also offer a 10% off with email subscriptions, or when I have a returning customer, I reward them with a 10% off on their next order as well. This 10% off is a recurring feature. On some occasions, I like to host giveaways on Instagram to gain more followers and potential clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://moongardensoapery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moongardensoapery/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Moongarden-Soapery/100089805850499/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@moongardensoapery?lang=en