The Coastal Soap Company

Aim

To offer ethical, plastic free, ocean safe quality handmade body products to customers who want to make a difference to the planet.

PROJECT AIM

With your help, I would like to raise funds to enable me to launch my soap making business, The Coastal Soap Company. I will offer beautiful soaps and body products to a wide range of consumers with various budgets using only the very best natural, cruelty-free ingredients. I aim to create a range of products that every consumer can enjoy and benefit from, knowing that they are helping to shape a better future towards sustainability. My target market shall include individuals and wholesales such as independent shops, the tourist industry, wedding planners, as well as occasional craft fairs. I want to make a proactive impact through-out all of these sectors, showing how easy and beneficial it is to make that transition into using cruelty-free, sustainable products and progess to moving away from a throw-away culture.

Once up and running I also want to be able to offer small workshops for craft enthusiasts, as well as small parties. Additionally, I aim to be able to offer free relaxing workshops to charities such as Maggies. This particular charity is very close to my heart as they helped me whilst going through a very difficult time. Hence, I would love to be able to give back and help others who are struggling. 

Based on one of the many beautiful Welsh coastlines, I have been able to appreciate this outstanding landscape and have learned to appreciate the hard work that goes into looking after our oceans and coastlines. Once I am in a position to, I would like to commit regular donations from my net profits towards helping various marine and conservation charities. In a bid to help spread the awareness of contributing to ocean stewardship, The Coastal Soap Company will commit to only sourcing products that are ocean-friendly. Therefore, my customers will know that by buying one of my products, they are helping to tackle the issues of environmental sustainability, whilst fully benefitting from the richness of the ingredients used.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

In 2014 I came across soap-making purely by accident. I was diagnosed with cancer and was off work with 16 months of scans and operations. Trying to keep life as normal as it possibly could be, and still trying to be proactive with my time, I decided one day to do some crafting with candles and watched a few YouTube videos. This is where I fortunately stumbled across soap making and instantly became completely hooked. I soon started buying books, watched professional soapmakers' videos and embarked on a soap-making course. From research, I became increasingly aware of the harsh chemicals used to create body products. Therefore, from the knowledge and skills that I gained, I started to create recipes for soap and other body products with natural ingredients. Following on from there, I had a mountain of paperwork and UK/EU Regulations that I had to adhere to but soon found myself ready to test and sell my products at local and Christmas Craft Fairs.  

Since then I have moved to the beautiful coast of South Wales and am looking to re-launch my soap-making business with new concepts and a lot more knowledge. Here I have been able to further appreciate the natural resources this beautiful planet provides us, and have found ways to incorporate them into my recipes in a sustainable manner, so as not to deplete them or disrupt the local biodiversities. 

MY VISION

With your help, I will be creating a range of natural body products suitable for everyone, regardless of a person's budgets. The Coastal Soap Company is dedicated to producing ONLY natural, ocean-friendly and cruelty-free products. To further show my commitment to the importance of cruelty-free products, I would like to apply for PETA approval. 

Ensuring that all elements of the business are sustainable, packaging will also be plastic-free. Further to this, I am in the process of researching local ingredients that can be used in the creation of my product range, as I believe in the importance of the circular economy and realise the importance of helping and supporting local businesses. I am also extremely keen to hold workshops in the future, both for private parties and also on a voluntary basis. Through doing this I hope to further be able to educate on the importance of using natural products that not only benefit but help the delicate environment that we live in. 

DOGGY SOAPS

In addition to developing my range of body products, The Coastal Soap Company will also develop its product line for our wonderful four-legged friends. With the help of my Dog, Max, I will also be launching a line of Dog-friendly products.

As with every dog, Max loves the beach and getting up to mischief. Dogs have extremely sensitive skin that easily absorbs ingredients and can cause irritation and can be harmful. Therefore, my pet-friendly product line will include natural oils and butters that help cleanse and condition their beautiful coats, with the use of gentle ingredients that are safe for use on dogs but also effective with anti-bacterial properties. Max is really excited about this product range!

PROGRESS SO FAR

From testing the waters 'so to speak' a few years ago, I have bought various tools and equipment which I can still use.  I have recently bought new ingredients, etc. so that I can test some new recipes ready for assessment.  I already have 2 lines of soap and bath bomb products which I have already had assessed. I have recently started work on an outbuilding which I am hoping to use as a workshop where I will be storing and preparing my products.  

WITH YOUR HELP!

To make my vision a reality I need help raising funds to purchase more equipment, ingredients, assessments and publish my website. With any additional capital obtained, I shall invest this in developing the resources needed to be able to offer workshops in the future. In return for your kind pledges, The Coastal Soap Company will keep all amazing sponsors updated monthly with progress, new products and special offers. Once fully launched, I also intend to hold a free event evening and will be inviting all sponsors who are able to attend. This way The Coastal Soap Company will be able to thank sponsors personally and display how their capital has been utilised!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about The Coastal Soap Company, I hope you will join me on my voyage!

This project successfully funded on 6th April 2020