Maker of the Month: Motherland Essentials

Andrea of Motherland Essentials started making soap 10 years ago, when she took a step back from her job. Needing a creative outlet, she discovered soap videos on YouTube. Today, Andrea creates a wide range of products, and hosts crafting workshops to help connect her community. Meet Andrea!

How long have you been making bath and body products, and what led you to start your own business? 
In 2014, I lost my son, Elijah, 20 weeks into my pregnancy. Immediately after experiencing the loss, I informed my former employers who in response told me I had 3 days of bereavement before I had to return. Upon returning to work, I experienced depression with no access to resources to perinatal mental health and wellness. I decided to quit my job to focus on my overall well-being. In an effort to find a creative outlet, I found soapmaking on YouTube. I loved it and started sharing my journey via Instagram. All the support I received led me to start Motherland Essentials in 2015 and it's been growing ever since.

Tell us about your crafting workshops! What inspired you to start leading crafting workshops, and what do you love most about them?
We're so excited to now offer a number of crafting workshops. In our creative studio we offer candle making, soap making (cold-process + melt and pour), bath bomb making and more. I was inspired to give people in my community more options to get together and create memories. Many people in the Summerville/Charleston, SC are visiting or transplants, so having a fun, creative activity that encourages people to get together and have fun is the easiest way to meet others. Plus, they get to take something they made home with them. Win-win! I can't wait to get our online workshops going soon. I love that I am a part of bringing people together.

How do you balance leading workshops with making and selling your own products, marketing your business, homeschooling two kids, etc.? 
Some may say very poorly. But in all seriousness, my self-care practice is essential to making anything I do work. I intentionally reserve time for myself every day, no matter how much I have to do. I am also blessed with an amazing support system and team (family). Every now and then I do what's called a "time audit"  where I set a stopwatch and see how much time a task is taking me. If it's a task that can be passed on, I delegate and take my time back to focus on what's priority for me. It helps keep me from burning out.

 
Where do you find inspiration for your products?
I'm inspired by problem solving. I'm an Aquarius, so naturally I want to save the world with my creativity. Bath time is boring? I'm making bath bomb donuts. Need a father's day gift? I made a chicken wing themed soap. I'm spreading joy with functional art!

What advice would you give to makers looking to start their own business?
Begin with the end in mind. There are so many ways to be a "successful" business owner and all are subjective. Decide for yourself where you want your business to go. Do you want to sell it? Is it just something you want to franchise or license? The answer can change for you over time too and that's ok. Just make sure you're moving in the direction YOU want to move in.

What have been some of your biggest challenges and successes as a maker and business owner? 
Our biggest challenge has been navigating the ebbs of flows of running a business. I am primarily a creator and many times that's all I want to do. However, over the years I'm learning to operate in my realm of genius and let others operate in theirs. One of the biggest successes I've had was getting an order for 17,300 soaps placed by a subscription box company. It was a HUGE undertaking, but we got it done. Creatively it was a lot of fun and a challenge.

What is your favorite part of the creative process?
While I'm always excited to see the end results of what I make, my favorite part is sketching out an idea. I use Procreate to roughly sketch out my ideas for designs. It also screen records my progress, so it's a fun video to showcase before and after pics.

 
What other makers do you admire, and what do you like about their work?
There are sooo many! I admire seeing the growth from my friends Herb'N Eden. Seeing creations from Nathan (Clover Soap Works) makes me want to buy more mica than I need and make the most colorful soaps ever. I'm also a candle hoarder, so Katie (Soy Much Brighter) and Ebeny (Escape Haven Co) are some of my favs. 

What are your dreams for Motherland Essentials? Where would you like to see your business in 5 or 10 years?
In 5 years, Motherland Essentials will have expanded our retail partnerships as well as develop a workshop program that expands to a national network. In 10 years we'd like to be much closer to an acquisition so that we can put funds towards investing in other creative businesses. We've got big goals and dreams. 

What are three of your must-have Bramble Berry products?

Oatmeal Milk and Honey Fragrance Oil is forever a favorite scent of mine. It is cozy, creamy nostalgic scent with a perfect balance of sweetness. It's a smell that everyone loves and a great addition to any bath and body line. 

I found the Salt Soak Party Kit to be so much fun! I loved how the salt soak kit was such a beginner friendly craft that all my friends enjoyed when we tested it out. Plus, the convenience of having everything together for you takes the stress out of building your own kits, which is great. 

Sunflower Sandalwood Fragrance Oil is a scent I could smell forever. The earthy, floral notes are perfect for body oils and lotions. It's definitely a plus that it behaves beautifully in soap batches, too.

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