The Beauty of Supporting Small: Why Handmade Bath and Body Brands Deserve a Place in Your Gift Shop
Why handmade bath and body brands like SOAK Bath Co deserve a spot on your shelves!
As consumers, we have become more aware of the impact of our purchasing decisions on the environment, our health, and the economy. One area where this awareness has grown is in the bath and body care space, where there has been a rising interest in supporting small, handmade soap and skincare brands. Today, we want to share the reasons why it is important to consider stocking soap bars from small brands, like SOAK Bath Co, in your boutique gift shop. From the unique qualities of handmade soap to the social and environmental benefits of supporting small businesses, there are so many reasons to choose products like ours for your incredible customers.
The Art of Handmade Soap
Handmade soap is a labour of love. Unlike mass-produced soaps that are made with synthetic ingredients and harsh chemicals, handmade soap is crafted in small batches using natural ingredients. The soapmaking process involves carefully selecting high-quality oils, butters, and other nourishing ingredients, and combining them in a way that creates a luxurious and moisturizing bar of soap. Handmade soap also allows brands like ours here at SOAK Bath Co to showcase our creativity and artistic expression. As soapmakers, we can experiment with different colours, scents, and textures to create unique and visually appealing bath and body care products. The result is a soap bar that is not only functional but also a work of art that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your gift shop.
SOAK Bath Co began with the founder, Candace, using her creativity to make soap over the span of ten years, and perfecting a recipe that would then be combined with various essential oils and natural colourants like annatto seed powder, beet root powder and clays to create the most beautiful soap bars. This has now evolved to having a full time soap maker on the team who is truly gifted in her craft!
The Benefits of Natural Ingredients
Many small, handmade bath and body brands prioritize using natural ingredients in their soap bars, it’s what makes soap bars like ours so incredible to use on the skin! These natural ingredients offer incredible benefits for the skin and the environment. Natural oils and butters, such as olive oil, coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that feel amazing on the skin. In contrast, mass-produced soaps often contain synthetic ingredients, such as sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances, which can be harsh and irritating to the skin. By choosing soap bars made with natural ingredients, you are offering your customers a gentle and eco-friendly option for their skincare routine.
At SOAK Bath Co we used plant based oils and butters to make each of our soap bars. You’re skin will feel the difference our soap recipe makes!
Supporting Small Businesses
Supporting small, handmade bath and body brands goes beyond just the benefits for the skin. It also has positive social and economic impacts. When you choose to stock soap bars from small businesses, you are supporting local artisans and entrepreneurs who put their heart and soul into their craft. These small businesses often operate with a smaller carbon footprint, using sustainable practices and sourcing local ingredients, which can help reduce the environmental impact of the soapmaking process. By choosing to stock soap bars from small, handmade bath and body brands, you are promoting a more sustainable and inclusive economy.
SOAK Bath Co started as a side business in 2019, where Candace was making soap from her basement, ten bars at a time. The SOAK Bath Co brand now employs over ten incredible local people from our community in Manitoba, Canada. We make and ship our product line from our commercial space in Niverville, Manitoba and ship our product to boutiques all over Canada and the United States.
Ethical and Cruelty-Free Practices
Many small, handmade bath and body brands are also committed to ethical and cruelty-free practices. They often use plant-based and cruelty-free ingredients, and avoid testing their products on animals. At SOAK Bath Co, we only test our products on willing humans, never on animals. This aligns with the growing consumer demand for products that are not only good for the skin, but also good for the planet and our community. By choosing soap bars from these brands, you are offering your customers a choice that is aligned with their values and ethics, and promoting a more compassionate approach to skincare.
Building Customer Loyalty
Stocking soap bars from small, handmade bath and body brands can help you as the shop owner, build customer loyalty. In today's competitive retail landscape, customers are increasingly looking for unique and personalized experiences. Handmade soap bars offer a point of differentiation for your gift shop, as they are not commonly found in big-box stores or mass retailers. When customers discover that your gift shop offers soap bars from small, handmade brands like SOAK Bath Co, they will feel a sense of excitement and exclusivity, knowing they are getting a unique product that is not easily available elsewhere. This can lead to increased customer loyalty, as they are more likely to return to your shop for their bath and body needs, and even recommend your shop to others. By offering soap bars from small, handmade brands, you are providing your customers with a special and memorable experience, which can foster customer loyalty and ultimately boost your business.
At SOAK Bath Co, we have some very loyal fans! Many of our biggest fans follow our story on instagram at www.instagram.com/cksoakbathco and love to watch the day to day behind the scenes and how the brand has evolved over the years.
Customization and Personalization
Another advantage of stocking soap bars from small, handmade bath and body brands is the opportunity for customization and personalization. Many of these brands offer a wide range of scents, colors, and designs, allowing customers to choose soap bars that cater to their individual preferences and needs. The variety of soap scents can enhance the overall shopping experience for your customers, as they can select soap bars that reflect their personality, style, or even mood. By offering this, you are providing a level of attention and care to your customers that can set your gift shop apart and create a memorable shopping experience.
At SOAK Bath Co we offer a variety of soap bar SKUs to cater to the variety of scent profiles our community loves. This is also beneficial to help pick out soap bars for any gifting needs around occasions like Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas!
Sustainability and Environmental Consciousness
Sustainability and environmental consciousness have become important considerations for many consumers when making purchasing decisions. Small, handmade bath and body brands often prioritize sustainability in their production processes. They may use eco-friendly packaging, minimize waste, and utilize renewable energy sources. Additionally, these brands are often mindful of the environmental impact of their ingredient sourcing, opting for sustainable and ethically sourced materials. By choosing to stock soap bars from these brands, you are aligning with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products. This can enhance your shop's reputation as an environmentally conscious business and attract environmentally conscious customers who are looking for responsible purchasing options.
At SOAK Bath Co, we take sustainability very seriously. You’ll find each of our soap bars are labelled with biodegradable, plantable seed paper labels. So you can plant the label and it will grow into wildflowers. This creates an entirely eco friendly product within our soap bar category.
Education and Storytelling
One of the unique aspects of small, handmade bath and body brands is the opportunity for education and storytelling. Many of these brands have a rich history, unique production processes, and compelling stories behind their products. By stocking their soap bars, you can educate your customers about the craftsmanship, creativity, and passion that goes into creating handmade soap. You can share the story of the brand, the values they uphold, and the impact they make on the community and the environment. This storytelling aspect can create a connection between your customers and the soap bars, making them more than just a product, but also a meaningful and memorable experience. By educating and sharing stories with your customers, you are not only selling a product, but also creating an emotional connection that can foster loyalty and repeat business.
At SOAK Bath Co, we like to showcase this with the everyday behind the scenes videos that can be found on our instagram page. Follow us at www.instagram.com/cksoakbathco to see how our artisan soap bars are made from scratch! You’ll also get to know our small local team and what goes on in a real life soap factory!
Stocking soap bars from small, handmade bath and body brands in your gift shop can bring numerous benefits. From the unique qualities of handmade soap to the social and environmental impacts of supporting small businesses, there are so many incredible reasons to consider these products for your boutique shop. Handmade soap offers a luxurious and artistic option for customers, with the benefits of natural ingredients and cruelty-free practices. Supporting small businesses promotes a sustainable and inclusive economy, while customization and personalization options enhance the shopping experience.
Sustainability and environmental consciousness are at the forefront of brands like SOAK Bath Co, and educating customers about the brand's story can foster loyalty and repeat business. By choosing to support small, handmade bath and body brands, you are not only offering high-quality products, but also supporting a community of artisans and entrepreneurs who pour their heart and soul into their craft. So, let's embrace the beauty of supporting small and make a positive impact on our communities, our environment, and our customers.
Consider adding a soap bar line from small, handmade bath and body brands to your gift shop and reap the benefits of offering unique, high-quality, and socially responsible products.
Supporting small, handmade bath and body brands by stocking their soap bars in your gift shop can have a myriad of benefits. From providing customers with unique and luxurious products to supporting a sustainable and inclusive economy, the advantages are numerous. By offering natural products that align with sustainability and environmental consciousness, you can create a memorable shopping experience and foster customer loyalty. So, take the leap and embrace the beauty of supporting small, handmade bath and body brands, and witness the positive impact it can have on your gift shop and the community as a whole.
If you’re interested in learning more about wholesale of the SOAK Bath Co brand for your gift boutique, floral shop or retail section, we invite you to apply for our wholesale program by filling out the form here: https://forms.gle/RFUfZ1f1teHv9urC9
Our team reviews each application to ensure our brands are a good fit and that we respect proximity to any existing customers. We look forward to hearing from you!
The SOAK Bath Co team!