Today we’d like to introduce you to Emlyn Roesler
Hi Emlyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The idea for soap making started in 2013 when I wanted to make presents for Christmas. I wanted to gift something handmade, practical, and consumable. The very first soaps I made were with a melt and pour kit from a local craft store, and the soaps were well-received by my family and friends.
Fast forward to 2018 when I decided to sell my handmade soaps on Etsy. By this time, my husband and I were making soaps using the cold process method, and we formulated our own recipe. We named the business “Solid Soaps,” inspired from a doodle I made back in 2008. The doodle was of my right fist (I am left-handed), and I had written “SOLID” across the top.
I left my nursing career of 14 years in April 2021 to grow my soap making business full-time. Solid Soaps has grown organically throughout the years, adding new products like candles, a Filipino heritage collection, and soap making workshops.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Currently for me, it is managing my time effectively. A small business owner wears many hats, and there are always so many tasks to complete. I am not even talking about new ideas, the vision for the business, networking, and finding new accounts/leads. It is hard to turn off my “small business brain” at the end of the day.
Deciding to spend money on certain things is also difficult. I have spent money on advertisements, certain supplies or fragrances for my soaps, even apparel, and the return on investment was not what I expected. When starting the business, I had this “penny pinching” mentality, and it is still hard to spend money on my business sometimes.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I make vegan soaps using the cold process method. My soaps are made with natural colorants and phthalate-free, paraben-free fragrance and essential oils. Most of my scents lean towards more earthy and masculine scents, but I have a few sweet, fruity, and floral scents as well. Solid Soaps helps transform a mundane task into a luxurious ritual, making it the perfect practical and consumable gift for someone special.
I launched a Heritage Collection in 2023, and this has really inspired me to share my Filipino culture through the scents of my soaps and candles. Aside from my quest to have excellent customer service, I feel like my Heritage Collection helps to set me apart from other soap makers in local Austin.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding networking groups is easy, attending them can be daunting. Be bold! Put yourself out there and talk with at least one new person at a networking event. Smile. Ask questions. Listen. People love talking about themselves, so keep the questions flowing. Honestly, it gets easier the more networking events you attend. Being an extrovert, I have no problem going up to a stranger and introducing myself. I can understand how it can be frightening for others though.
What has worked well for me is finding a smaller women’s networking group. It just feels more intimate, and the conversations can be less superficial when you have a smaller group.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.solidsoaps.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solid.soaps
Image Credits
Sophie Goodwin
