For our first artisan box we couldn't wait to partner with a local artisan that we've worked with for years. Cynplicity is a local soap business in Collingswood, NJ with the cutest shop. Our collaborative Self-Love set is available for pre-order and to celebrate, I wanted you to get to know Cindy like I've gotten to know her over the years. So we did an interview for you to really see the behind the scenes of her amazing work.
1. Can you pinpoint a specific moment or experience that ignited your passion to start a handmade soap company? Was it a childhood memory, a particular person who inspired you, or a life-changing event?
I began making soap after I sold my 20 + year salon and began working for someone else in the business. I quickly realized how much I needed to be my own boss again, so I did some soul searching to see what ignites my fire.
I discovered soap making and made a few bars just to pass the time and soon I became hooked! I wasn’t starting out thinking I could turn it around into a business. It was just a hobby. Then it hit me and I did some research.
Soon after I found myself moving into a cute little store in a town not far from my home and thinking of a name for my business. The rent was super low and I knew I could survive if it didn’t go over well. The business grew slowly and I moved into a bigger store in a busier town. It grew and now I am where I am because of hard work and dedication.
It isn’t always easy to be a small business but when you create something that flips a switch inside of you, something that gives you satisfaction and is a labor of love, you can find a way and have a much better chance of success.
There are so many lovely natural ingredients to choose from to make beautiful soap. At first, it was hard to choose what combinations of oils because every oil has their own specific properties and adds a slight, but important value to the finished product. After many tries, I came up with two combinations I liked best to create a silky smooth bar and a moisturizing salt bar.
3. Love it! How did you learn these techniques? Did you have a mentor, or are you self-taught?
With over 20 years as a licensed esthetician and cosmetologist, I am experienced in skincare and aromatherapy. I've always loved creating combinations of ingredients to make them my own.
4. Wow, so you have a LOT of experience! How long have you been creating and what is your favorite part of the creative process?
I found a particular interest in the soap process and soon my hobby became my business.
5. How has your background and/or personal experiences shaped your artisan vision? Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
My background in skincare had helped me to expand my business from making soap leading into the big world of cosmetics, particularly body lotions, bath products, hair and skin care. I am inspired to create products with clean ingredients and avoiding unnecessary additives known to be unhealthy and/or costly.
6. What were some initial challenges you faced in pursuing creating artisan organic soap, and how did you overcome them?
Having a small business is always a challenge in the fact that you are competing with big business with big money. Making a beautiful and healthy product while keeping costs low present a creative and frugal challenge when purchasing quality ingredients.
Buying in bulk is always less expensive, however keeping things fresh is my top concern. Knowing when and how much to order at the best price is a skill and discipline. Timing is important and knowing what will move fast or slower determines the amount to purchase and ultimately the final cost of the product.
Then on the other hand, there are advantages to being a small business such as low overhead. Since I make everything myself from scratch, I don’t have a middle man which makes it easier to stay within a reasonable price point. There comes a time when you have to hire others to fill in the gaps, because you can’t do everything yourself even though you think you can.
Finding people that you trust and can afford is a big challenge but the positive side is that you get to choose who you work with. Calling your own shots in your business is both appealing and challenging.
7. All of this is just so true. What have you learned about yourself and your artisan soap along the way?
Making products that are beautiful and healthy is a labor of love most of all. It’s so satisfying when customers walk into my store and realize they just discovered a small hidden treasure. You can read the excitement in their eyes or better yet, they tell you how nice everything is and how much they love your products.
Walking into the store, they immediately are graced with a combination of healthy phthalate free fragrances, testers of fresh made lotions and body butters, and aromatherapy products like bath bombs and shower steamers that naturally put them in a good mood. That makes everything worth it for me, even more so than the income it provides.
8. Your store is such a treasure! How do you continue to refine and develop your skills as an artisan?
It’s important to keep up with new products and techniques while also keeping the "loved standard" products that are purchased on a regular basis. I try to have a variety to please everyone who walks through the doors without over doing it. I have found that too many choices can work against you. Keeping it simple is a challenge, but it’s necessary.
9. I've definitely been learning to keep it simple as well. What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out in making handcrafted soaps?
For those just starting out making bath and body products, like soap, my advice is not to get overwhelmed with everything that you see on social media. Play around with different oil combinations, find your niche and stick with that until it's perfect, then expand on it.
10. This is SUCH good advice! Overwhelm is so common among business owners. What are the most important lessons you've learned on your artisan journey that you would like to share with others?
For me, everything I make comes from my heart and my time. Not everyone will love everything you make and once you begin to sell to the public, you have to grow thick skin, not letting your feelings be hurt or insulted if people don’t show the enthusiasm you're expecting.
Focus on the people who love what you make. I remember when I first started out at festivals. Much time and thought was put into every aspect of the process from your brand, the outside set up, how to display your product and the actual making of them. Don’t take it personal when people glance at your booth and keep walking, or look over a few things and walk away.
Ugh! That took me a while to master the art of understanding the hard fact that not everyone wants to buy soap that day, but one day they may and they will remember and look for you the next time if you give off a good vibe and your set up is appealing.
I really enjoyed learning so much more about Cindy and her beautiful shop Cynplicity. I hope you enjoyed my interview with Cindy as much as I did. Our artisan duo box is now available today for pre order and will be shipped on January 18, 2025! If you've been eyeing it, you can order that here.
xx Simone