So many business come about because the creator sees a problem, and can’t find a solution… so they create it themselves.
Soak Society is one such business. It’s founder, Natalie Thorogood, started the business a few years ago when she wanted to use bath salts without any artificial colours or fragrances. She couldn’t find what she was looking for, so she created it.
Over the next few years, Soak Society has blossomed into a boutique bath product company that is stocked all over Australia and overseas, including in a huge range of stores in Tokyo.
Natalie is a brilliant example of a young woman who saw and opportunity and jumped on it. I loved chatting with her – she’s a Sunshine Coast local, so just down the road from me, and she exhibits a wonderful down-to-earth perspective on work and life.
P.S. Are you ready for the #MakingItPodcourse? It’s a FREE 30-day course for makers in business, and I’m publishing a lesson a day on the podcast. It kicks off on July 1st!
Head over to MakingItPodcourse.com to register now for email reminders and updates throughout the course.
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Quotes and highlights from this episode:
- “You don’t have to have a uni degree to start a business” {Natalie}
- Natalie has a stockist newsletter to provide regular updates on Soak Society happenings. This is supplemented with individual points of contact via phone and email.
- Soak Society used a PR agency for 4 months to assist with build brand awareness and build stockist list.
- “You are paying for the contacts and experience they have” {Natalie}
- Collaborate with others in your field and cross pollinate ideas and content through gifts with purchase, interviews and promotions.
- Natalie uses Flaunter to compile, share and promote brand imagery, media and press releases.
- Keeping a sustainable work/life balance is essential.
- “There needs to be a balance and you can’t be guilty about it” {Natalie}
- Natalie recommends the book Profit First by Mike Michalowicz.
- “Consult with your wholesalers – they are your customers and they know what sells in their stores” {Jess}
