Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonita Holloway.
Hi Bonita, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
One day, in February of 2017 while perusing through a magazine, I came across an article about soap. The article made reference to the environmental toxins that are present in most soap (both solid and liquid) sold in the big box stores. I grabbed a few bars I had in my house and took to the internet to see if I would find the same thing. I could hardly believe my eyes when I added one ingredient after the other into a Google search and saw for myself that, contained within this one bar of soap, were several environmental toxins. My research didn’t stop there. I looked at three other brands of bar soaps and found some of the same toxins (and some different) listed on those respective labels as well. After that discovery, I looked at the ingredients of several other personal hygiene products that I use and that is when I realized that there are several environmental toxins in most personal hygiene products sold to unsuspecting people every day. It was hard for me to fathom that, as much of a researcher that I am, I never knew these facts before then. As a result, I had a desire to explore soap making in the hopes that I could create soap for myself and my loved ones that would be free from any and all toxins since skin is our largest organ. This is what propelled me into soap-making as a possible business. Eventually, my soap-making venture would turn into not only making normal and average bars of soap for people to use in place of the bad stuff but would also eventually pick up a more artistic flare as time went on, which is where I am today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing about the road I have chosen has been smooth. I believe that especially when you are learning a new craft or art, you are bound to make mistakes. You make your mistakes and hopefully grow from them. When I started soap making, I discovered that there were several soap makers on YouTube and other social media sites, but not many (at that time) that were willing to share any knowledge with you. There were books on the subject and other publications that talked about soap making, but no one willing to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. You can learn a lot from books, etc., but what they lack is personal interactions. In addition to that, I had a full-time job while taking on the role of trying to start a small soap-making business because felt that I should help make the world just a little bit of a better place to live.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do have a 9 to 5, which supports my life and funds my business ventures. But when I’m not taking care of that, I devote the rest of my time to trying to run my soap business. As I mentioned previously, I do make really awesome bars of soap for just about everyone, and for everyday use. I also make really unique, one-of-a-kind pieces from a moldable soap called soap dough that I also make (and sell). Because of my soap dough, I am able to make some really unique creations. Another bonus, my soap dough is %100 vegan and unscented. I am most proud of the fact that I make and sell soap dough to other soap makers. These two things help to distinguish me from most other soap makers.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I don’t know if I believe that luck plays any significant part in my life and/or business. I would like to replace that word with determination. I have learned that, unless you were born under, very fortunate circumstances, most people have to go and make the road in which they want to travel. Then maybe, as you are making the road you want to travel, a little luck here and there may find you.
Pricing:
- $6.95 +
Contact Info:
- Website: handmadebybonitallc.etsy.com and www.handmadebybonita.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handmadebybonita/
