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

TeShauna, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

The biggest trend I see is the use of candy/sugary fragrance oil scents in both soaps and heavily in body butters. And truthfully the scents are nice, but I feel that herbal and unscented are just as nice.

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 back background and context?

1. How you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc.,

Believe it or not, my love for making soap now, came from the love I had/have for my natural hair. Way back from when I was a loose natural, I had thoughts of creating my own hair products. When I was a loose natural, I put a lot of thought into the products that I used and took the time to see what it was that my hair liked and what it didn’t like. I tried various combinations of using cream vs liquid leave in conditioners, deep conditioning weekly versus once a month, and experimenting with my own hair butters and oils versus what it was that I purchased in the store. Needless to say, I had a wide array of products that overtime I learned to split between the seasons. One thing I learned with my hair and now with my body is that as the seasons change so should the products you use. I’ve always compared ingredients and took notice to how my hair would respond in the different outside temperatures.

Fast forward to 2020 where I am now a Loc’d beauty and no longer in need of the various products I was using before, I felt the need to explore other joys of mine, which is body care. Taken the knowledge from all that I had gained from the hair world and now applying it to body care was not as difficult as one may assume. The same butters and oils that we may use to “seal” in moisture in our hair and provide a shine to our body or even clear a dry scalp are the same butters and oils that I now use in my cold process soaps, creams, and oils. As I was researching and looking to see where to get started, I thought of making my own soaps. At first glance cold processed soaps scared me a bit due to the use of lye. So, I then switched my thoughts to melt and pour. As I continued to investigate melt and pour, I soon realized that I felt I couldn’t be as creative as I would like to be.
So, I turned my thoughts back to cold processed soap and was instantly thinking to myself, “Let me bite the bullet and learn about lye and safety.” Once I did my deep dive into researching lye, I felt fully prepared to dive in even further with the full process of making cold processed soap. Soon after, I made my first batch of cold processed soap on 25 April 2021 and baby I was so proud of myself!! The best part about making soap is when you go to do the lather test and it suds so wonderfully! All you think to yourself is “I created this!”

2. What type of products/services/creative works you provide,

Currently my products are mainly my various cold processed soaps. Over time I will be introducing lotions, salves, herbal body oils for both babies and adults, and candles. In addition to those items, I have an interest in creating mommy wellness items. Products such as a nipple cream and even a bottom soother for rashes/irritation for babies. When I had my daughter in 2020 and was breastfeeding, I realized I needed a comfort for my nipples to keep them from being dry. I would like to create an all-natural salve to ease a mother’s nipple which in the end makes nursing an even more enjoyable experience for both the baby and the mother.
Men’s care products are also something of value to me. I have four brothers, plus my own son, and my husband. Men caring for themselves is a big deal to me. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. All of that ties into one “feeling good, looking good.”

Honestly, there’s quite a bit I plan to add to my shop as time goes on. I want to add items that provide a solution to an issue you may have. If my product clears your issue, then great, but if not, I would at least like to provide an item that will give you comfort.

To aide me in my product creation I have been taking herbal courses. The herbal courses I am taking explain herbs and the role they play in how they may make you feel both inside and out.

So please stay tuned for all that is to come from Made by a Black Girl.

3. What you think sets you apart from others.

I feel that my various ingredients in my products is what sets me apart from others. By that I mean that I’m not afraid to use various recipes. I’ve noticed over time that quite a few creatives stick to a core recipe. Its like once they have one that works they may use that same recipe across the board every time they make a soap or an oil. By no means is there anything wrong with that, but I know that sometimes things aren’t a one size fits all. Although, I’ve made various soaps using various ingredients I have myself reformulated to where I will only be using one oil and one butter in addition to the standard coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil.

My goal is to be able to have people pick a soap or item that speaks to them. So, if they like a particular oil or butter they can instantly reach for it versus their favorite oil or butter being mixed in with other oils and butters.

4. What are you most proud of

I am very proud of myself for tackling my fear of failure. A big weakness of mine is that I will do all of the work, but then become a bit scared and procrastinate when its time to act on it. Leading up to making my first batch of CP (cold processed) soap I did a ton of research because although oils and butters are interchangeable between the hair and skin/body they do of course bring something different to each component. So, I took the time to research the soaping terms, buying various “must have” items, and then buying course material only to have it all starting out and then feeling nervous when it was time to dive in.

Having a fear of failure is both a small gift and a curse. It’s a gift because due to that fear, I make sure that I am thoroughly prepared with both a heavy load of research and at times, a bit of hands-on experience. Its super rare that I just dive into anything headfirst without any thought of what to do or background knowledge. Its also a curse because the fear of failure will keep you from enjoying yourself at times or even just failing. There are life lessons that come with failing that people miss out on because they simply don’t want to fail.

5. What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

After reading this snippet of me, my background and seeing what my fears are I want potential clients to walk away knowing that with all that I do and create, you will definitely feel the love and passion I put into all my products. I want them to understand that I am here for them with any questions they may have regarding any of the products on my website. If they want to know why I used a particular ingredient just email me and I’ll be sure to let them know. I pride myself on the research I do and being able to provide solid answers. I pride myself on being consistent in my personality. I am a very thoughtful, compassionate, and smiling person and love meeting new people. I love the thought of people being happy and feeling good.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I first started Made by a Black Girl, I was at home caring for my baby girl. I had recently been laid off in the midst of a RIF (Reduction In Force) with the company I was with. This was at the height of the pandemic and unemployment was being disbursed higher than normal. Now when the RIF first happened, no lie I was hoping I was going to be caught in it. I was driving about a hour to and from work, sometimes more depending on traffic and I was just over the drive at this point. Fast forward, to December 2020, I was laid off, and seriously walked out quite happy because I viewed this as my prime time to dive into my interest and move forward. For those who do not know you cant work while collecting unemployment, so therefore the time I was collecting unemployment I used it as strictly my research and hands on/experimental time while also caring and enjoying my kids and husband.

I researched cold processed soaps from December 2020 (when the RIF happened) all the way to me making my first batch in April 2021. The way I budgeted my money was that each week upon receiving my unemployment I purchased ingredients and materials I would need. I purchased about three different butters, purchased my carrier oils from Whole Foods, and even ordered my soap molds and jars needed for body butters among other items.
Moving right along closer to the end of 2021 I then had enough for me to start my business. I filed my paperwork and name in October and launched my website Black Friday in November 2021.
All in all my funding came from a situation that some may find dissatisfying, but I found comforting. My family and I were doing well and I was just in a comfortable position that I don’t think could have lined up any better for me.
I want people to understand that there is never a right time in life. You must look at where you are and find that silver lining and keep it moving. In every situation regardless of how good or bad, there is always a sliver lining. I just decided to make the best of mine.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

Back at the mid to end of the year of 2022 I completed my first wholesale order and let me tell you I was completely ecstatic!! I had been a patron of this boutique in Newport News, VA and whenever I would visit the boutique me and the owner would have conversations about the various soaps I had made and where I was at in my journey. One day while visiting her shop I brought her about four different soaps that I had made. I didn’t bring them to her specifically to sale to her, but more so because she was genuinely interested in my creations and she enjoyed natural soaps for her and her family. After reviews of my soaps that she and her family did, she then mentioned that she would like to purchase some to sell in her shop. This made me sooooooo happy. Between the time of her asking and us confirming details I had made more batches of soap. I provided her with more to use and she of course provided great feed back on how it made her, her mother, and family feel. She purchased my Coconut and Rose Clay Salt batch and a shea butter batch called I Love My Shea. The joy in knowing that she trusted and enjoyed my creation further confirmed for me that I am doing what I truly enjoy. To have strong feedback from others who enjoy your creation just as much as you enjoy making it, is a wonderful thing. It gives you more confidence in reaching out and stepping out of your comfort zone to make more connections. Her trusting my items to sale in her store will make me forever grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.madebyablackgirl.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbabgsoap/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?viewas=100000686899395&id=100087898449349
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mbablackgirl

Image Credits
All the pictures I’ve sent were taken by me, Te’Shauna Jones.