The Dirty Heifers

What does it REALLY take to build a successful soap business while creating content for millions of viewers? Katie Carson of Royalty Soaps gets real with The Dirty Heifers about the business behind the videos, social media pressure, mental health, and what happens when your family is also your team.

In Part 2 of our conversation with Katie Carson, we get into the realities that viewers don't always see behind a successful YouTube channel and handmade soap business.

🧼 IN THIS EPISODE:

Katie Carson built Royalty Soaps from a teenage soap-making obsession into one of the most recognizable names in handmade soap—but the story didn't go the way you might expect.

In Part One of our conversation with Katie Carson, we go all the way back to the beginning: a homeschool soap-making class, a dad who eventually told her to turn it into a business or stop making so much soap, a $500 loan, Etsy, farmers markets, YouTube, and the viral soap video that changed everything.

Then things got BIG.

Royalty Soaps reached a point wh...

We went to SoapCon in Kentucky—and came home realizing this industry is about WAY more than making soap. 🧼🐄

In this Dirty Heifers SoapCon special, Margaret takes you behind the scenes of our trip: Jessie getting ready to speak, Shauna and July surprising Jessie, meeting soap makers from all over, learning about labeling, cure time, scaling and social media, and why networking can matter even when you’re a small business owner who is terrible at networking. 😂

Plus… Shauna asked soap makers FIVE questions, and we met a 12-year-old soap maker who might just be the next genera...

Are you wearing enough PPE when you make soap? 👀

Tonight, the Dirty Heifers are putting on the safety goggles and talking about something every soap maker needs to think about: PPE and lye safety.

But first, we're doing a good old-fashioned Heifer Huddle—wins, woes, what's warshin', business headaches, markets, websites, expensive lessons, and plenty of rabbit trails along the way.

We talk about:

🐄 What PPE soap makers should have on hand 🥽 Safety glasses vs. goggles 🧤 Gloves, aprons, closed-toe shoes, sleeves & ventilation ⚠️ Why lye deserves respect without turning soapmaking into a hazmat operation 💦...

Your soap can be amazing… but if your booth looks like a rummage sale, customers may never stop long enough to find out.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we’re talking vendor booth design, merchandising, retail psychology, and what actually makes shoppers stop, look, and BUY.

We’re joined by Jessi from Create Along with Jessie, who brings nearly 20 years of vendor-show experience plus a background in interior design. She breaks down what makers are getting wrong—and what you can change without spending thousands of dollars on a fancy booth.

We talk...

We thought we knew what it took to run a successful soap business.

Turns out… we were wrong. 😂

After spending three episodes talking with Joanna Couch about scaling a soap business, manufacturing, equipment, batching, private label, hiring, consistency, and growing from a tiny 10x10 shed into a massive operation, we started questioning some of the things WE thought we knew.

And this episode is basically one giant Dirty Heifer confession session.

We talk about the soap business mistakes and misconceptions we had along the way—including:

🧼 Why having MORE products d...

What if getting bigger isn't actually the goal?

After two episodes of talking about massive production, scaling, private label, and what it takes to build a huge soap business, we're ending our three-part conversation with Joanna Couch—the Soap Gal—with a question that might surprise you:

Do you actually need to scale?

In the final episode of our conversation with Joanna Couch of The Soap Gal and Makers Haven, we're talking about something that doesn't get discussed nearly enough in the handmade business world: what success actually means—and whether bigger is always...

What if you could build a successful soap brand without making every single bar yourself?

In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Couch of The Soap Gal, we're going behind the label—and into the world of white label, private label, contract manufacturing, branding, and scaling a soap business.

Joanna has spent years manufacturing products for other brands, including major brands and Amazon sellers, so she has a perspective most soap makers simply don't get to hear.

We talk about the difference between white label and private label, what custom manufacturing actually looks li...

What does it take to go from a 10×10 tax shed to making 12 MILLION bars of soap in a year?

Joanna Couch — better known as The Soap Gal (@thesoapgal) — knows exactly what that looks like.

In Part 1 of our conversation with Joanna, we go WAY beyond the usual “how I started my soap business” story. Joanna takes us through the messy, surprising, and sometimes downright terrifying journey from farmers markets and family recipes to 80,000-bar purchase orders, private label manufacturing, massive production facilities, and millions of bars of soap.

And the biggest lesson? Scaling isn't jus...

What if quitting your soap business isn’t failure?

What if you built something successful, served amazing customers, learned more than you ever thought you would… and eventually realized you just don’t want to do it anymore?

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we sit down with Sharon Reaser of Bumble and Bleat Soap, who made the difficult decision to close her handmade soap business after years of trying to figure out whether she was burned out—or genuinely done.

And that distinction matters.

Sharon talks honestly about the signs of...

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we're sharing the biggest money traps we've fallen into during our soap-making journeys. From buying way too many fragrance oils and specialty ingredients to collecting molds we'll never use, we're talking about the purchases we'd skip if we were starting over today.

Whether you're making your very first batch or growing a handmade soap business, this episode will help you avoid expensive mistakes, save money, and focus on what actually matters.

Along the way, we discuss:

Should handmade soap businesses scare customers into buying?

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we're joined by Katherine Popp of Desert Soul Soapery to talk about one of the biggest issues facing the handmade soap industry: fear-based marketing.

From "non-toxic" claims to miracle ingredient promises, we discuss where education ends and manipulation begins. We also dive into ingredient myths, FDA claims, copying soap designs, building customer trust, and how honest businesses can stand out without tearing down the competition.

Whether you're a new soap maker or an experienced small business owner, this...

Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on soap making supplies only to ruin a batch because someone online confidently gave you terrible advice.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we're busting some of the biggest myths in handmade soap making—from lowering your soap's pH to curing soap for one week, dreaded orange spots (DOS), 100% coconut oil soap, fragrance oil myths, and more.

If you've learned soap making from Facebook groups, TikTok, YouTube, or that one aunt who made soap back in 1987...this episode is for you.

Whether you're a beginner soap ma...

Sometimes you just need to catch up.

In this Heifer Huddle, we're talking about everything that's happened behind the scenes—from moving across the country, building new soap shops, scaling wholesale businesses, shipping nightmares, customer stories, SOAPCon prep, and the reality of running a handmade business.

If you're a soap maker, small business owner, or just enjoy hanging out with three friends who somehow manage to go from serious business advice to talking about river cooters and jump ropes... you're in the right place.

💬 Question of the Day: What's the biggest change happening in yo...

This hilarious clip from The Dirty Heifers Podcast dives into one of the grossest Reddit soap stories we've ever read. From bar soap debates to hygiene horror stories, we couldn't stop laughing... or gagging.

If you're a soap maker, small business owner, or just someone who appreciates a good internet train wreck, this one's for you.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Do you use bar soap, body wash, or BOTH? And... would you ever share a bar of soap?

👍 Like this subscribe for more soap making laughs, business advice, and behind-the-scenes conversations, and share...

Ever wonder what happens to your soap business if social media disappears tomorrow?

🧼 Ashley from @MyHealthySoap joins us to talk about the reality of scaling, managing the "rollercoaster" of sales, and why sometimes, staying small is the best business move you can make.

From tax nightmares to viral video secrets, we're cutting through the noise.

Check out the full episode for the radical honesty our community craves!

Click the linked video to watch the full episode and join the conversation! #SoapMaking #SmallBusiness #DirtyHeifers

0:00 – Intro: The "What If" Scenario

2:0...

Ever wonder what happens when life throws a massive plot twist at your small business? 🌪️ We’re sitting down with Jerica from @Quench to talk about rebranding, moving countries, and the reality of life as a creator. Plus, we’re sharing some "radical honesty" on why you shouldn’t feel pressured to scale.

Don't miss the tea on why you actually need a Patreon (and when you should skip it!). 🧼✨

Want more raw, unfiltered maker advice? Hit that subscribe button and join the herd!

#SoapMaking #SmallBusinessTips #TheDirtyHeifers #MakerCommunity #EntrepreneurLife #ContentCreator #SoapBusiness #VloggingTips #Bu...

Tired of the "perfect" entrepreneur highlight reel? 🧼 The Dirty Heifers are pulling back the curtain on the messy, real-life struggles of running a bath and body business.

From expensive advertising blunders and failed product launches to the absolute chaos of imposter syndrome—we’re getting real about it all. If you’ve ever felt like you’re on the "struggle bus," you’re not alone. We’re swapping stories, sharing industry tips, and proving that even the "successful" makers have no clue what they’re doing half the time.

Come for the business advice, stay for the chaotic h...

Welcome back to another "Heifer Huddle" on the Dirty Heifers Podcast! Tonight, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna ditch the formal outlines to vent about the reality of running a handmade soap business. From the struggle of navigating social media restrictions and managing multiple shop locations to the weirdest customer interactions and our latest business "wins," we’re covering it all. Grab your soap and join the conversation!

In this episode:

People will absolutely ruin friendships, family relationships, and even marriages over handmade soap—and we have the receipts to prove it.

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re diving into the lathery legal system of Reddit to settle some serious scores. From friends demanding "mate's rates" on artisan bars to roommates causing literal bathroom warfare over eczema-safe soap, we’re breaking down what it actually means to be the "Heifer" in these situations.

In this episode:

Why is EVERYTHING suddenly “luxury”? 👀 From $56 bars of soap to “fine fragrance mists,” the Dirty Heifers break down the rise of luxury branding in bath & body products — and whether it’s genius marketing or complete nonsense.

We talk: 🧼 Triple-milled soap 💸 $25 acne soap bars 🛁 Bath & Body Works “luxury” rebrand 📦 Packaging psychology ✨ Self-care culture 👀 Why handmade soap is suddenly trendy again

Featuring: Margaret from Warm & Fuzzy Soapery Jessie from Country Lather Soapworks Shauna from Bawauna Bath & Body

If you love soapmaking, small business chaos, skincare trends, handmade products, or just hearing three heifers spiral about expensive lotion… welcome home.

Welcome back to another chaotic Heifer Huddle! 🤠 This week, the girls are breaking down the absolute reality of running a handmade business, surviving extreme overtime, and trying not to lose their minds during life transitions.

From an emergency Amazon purchase involving an incredibly questionable tool name, to a cold-process soap chemistry surprise that turned a white batch mauve pink with zero dye—we are covering it all. Plus, we're testing our vocabulary skills with the "Word of the Week" (with varying degrees of success) and figuring out how to manage massive custom-order inventories.

Drop a comme...

Is your Shopify dashboard looking like a ghost town? You aren’t failing—you’re just experiencing the Summer Slump. ☀️📉

Every year, the weather warms up and small business sales cool down. In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, Margaret, Shauna, and Jessie break down exactly why engagement drops when the sun comes out and—more importantly—how to turn this "dead zone" into your most productive season of the year.

In this episode, we cover:

Thinking about selling at a craft fair, farmers market, or pop-up shop? Watch this FIRST.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we break down EVERYTHING no one tells you about vendor markets—from finding the right events to surviving your first show without losing your mind (or your profit 😅).

One of us is preparing for a massive 4-day festival with 100,000+ people, while the rest of us spill real, unfiltered lessons from years in the vendor trenches:

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna pull up a chair for a little "real talk" about the unexpected side of running a bath and body business. While most makers start out focused on the craft, the journey quickly demands a whole new set of skills—from mastering video editing and product photography to the complex psychology of pricing and the constant art of on-the-fly troubleshooting.

The heifers share their personal experiences with shifting from a hobbyist mindset to a business owner mindset, including how they learned to value their wo...

In this episode, Margaret (Warm and Fuzzy Soapery), Jessie (Country Lather Soapworks), and Shauna (Buona Bath & Body) pull back the curtain on the reality of running a bath and body business. From the shock of how much time goes into video editing to the surprising ease of scaling production, the heifers discuss the "rainbows and unicorns" they expected versus the spreadsheets and shipping boxes they actually got.

In this episode, we cover:

Ever wondered what actually happens before fragrance oils arrive at your soap studio?

We got exclusive behind-the-scenes access inside Aromatic Fragrance International (AFI) — and what we saw completely changed how we think about fragrance suppliers.

We toured NINE buildings, watched robot-assisted fragrance production, explored a fragrance library with thousands of scents, and learned how fragrance oils are made, tested, stored, and customized for soapmakers.

If you're a soap maker, bath & body creator, candle maker — or just fragrance-obsessed — this episode pulls back the curtain on what really happens inside a professional fragrance manufacturer.

Insi...

This week’s Heifer Huddle is exactly what you’d expect—business updates, industry surprises, moving chaos, and a whole lot of laughter along the way. 🐄✨

We kick things off with a truly sesquipedalian Word of the Week before diving into what’s happening behind the scenes in our soap businesses right now—from paint-your-own bath bombs for kids (and why lip-safe mica matters!) to unexpected TikTok Shop compliance violations under the INFORM Consumers Act.

We also talk about:

Running a business changes your bank account and your schedule—but nobody warns you about how much it changes you.

In this episode, we’re peeling back the curtain on the "business metamorphosis." From learning how to set hard boundaries and saying "no" without a follow-up apology, to the total shift in money mindset that happens when you stop treating your craft like a hobby, we’re discussing the version of ourselves we’ve had to become to keep growing.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re deep in the messy middle of building you...

Ever feel like you're following every piece of small business advice on TikTok but getting nowhere? In Episode 66 of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna dive deep into the world of "business platitudes"—those overused phrases that sound smart but often lead makers astray.We’re breaking down why "just be consistent" isn't enough, how nicheing down can actually limit your growth, and why even the best products don't just "sell themselves." If you’re tired of being told to "just go viral" and want practical strategies that actually move the needle for your handmade business, this episode is for...

Are you accidentally turning your handcrafted soap into an illegal drug? In today’s episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna dive deep into the confusing—and sometimes ridiculous—world of FDA soap claims.

We’re breaking down the common marketing "folklore" that gets small business owners into hot water. From the truth about goat milk and charcoal to the wild claims surrounding "Yoni" soaps and pomegranate deodorizers, we discuss what is scientifically accurate versus what is legally allowed.

In this episode, we cover:

Welcome back to the Dirty Heifers podcast for a "Heifer Huddle"—where things get real, raw, and a little bit chaotic. This week, the heifers are diving deep into the "wins and woes" of the soapmaking life.

In this episode:

Your reputation is the only thing people see before they ever buy your product—and in 2026, it's more fragile than ever. In this episode, Margaret, Shauna, and Mini Heifer dive deep into why reputation is the ultimate "currency" for small businesses.

We’re getting real about:

Is this the most honest small business episode we’ve ever recorded?

Welcome to our very first official Heifer Huddle: Wins, Woes & What’s Warshin’ — where we pull back the curtain on what’s actually happening inside our businesses this week.

From record-breaking wins to TikTok ad frustrations… from AI comment drama to fragrance formula fails… we’re talking about the real-life vicissitudes (yes, we used the word correctly 😏) of running a handmade product business.

In this episode:

What happens when you outgrow your kitchen… but you’re not quite ready for a warehouse?

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we sit down with Joe from Kingston Oak Soap Company to talk about the real side of scaling a handmade business — the stuff nobody warns you about.

We get into:

• Master batching oils (beer brewers, oil drums, and redneck engineering included) • When to ditch products that won’t scale • The pricing anxiety that keeps makers stuck • Hiring help before you feel “ready” • Wholesale vs. retail vs. full-time job escape plans • Social media b...

What happens when the pillar of your industry vanishes overnight? In this heavy-hitting episode, Margaret, Jesse, and Shauna dive into the shocking cancellation of the HSCG 2026 conference and what it signals for the future of the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry. We discuss why in-person connection is the "secret sauce" for makers and how grassroots meetups and events like SoapCon are stepping in to fill the void.

But the chaos doesn’t stop there. Margaret shares a terrifying first-hand account of being hacked on Shopify, revealing the exact tactics thieves use to drain bank accounts and redirect pa...

In Episode 58 of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, a “nothing day” turns into a whole lot of everything. The Heifers dive into real-life maker chaos — from TikTok shop changes and platform burnout to snowstorms, supplier struggles, website headaches, and the weird mental spirals that come with running a handmade business.

This episode is part business, part therapy session, and part comedy hour. We talk about: • Platform fatigue & where creators are shifting next • TikTok Shop changes and ad burnout • Snowstorms, hospital call shifts & life interruptions • Supplier wins & website frustrations • Soapy superpowers, scent graveyards & market madness • The random thoughts that live rent-free in...

Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/stop-frivolous-ada-lawsuits-targeting-e-commerce-small-businesses

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, hosts Margaret, Jesse, and Shauna tackle a serious topic that often stays in the shadows until it’s too late: ADA website compliance. We are joined by Cindy Collins of Euphoric Herbals, who shares her firsthand experience of facing a legal summons and the reality of being targeted by "litigious" law firms.

Cindy pulls back the curtain on the world of "serial plaintiffs" and automated scanners that hunt for tiny errors on small business websites. We...

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re tackling the uncomfortable truth about what happens when "bare minimum" standards aren't met. Inspired by recent TikTok drama involving a creator shipping out moldy clay masks, hosts Margaret Connor, Shauna, and Jesse (Mini Heifer) dive deep into the fine line between a beginner’s learning curve and flat-out negligence.

Is social media making it too easy to start a business without learning the rules? We discuss the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), how to handle pet hair and cross-contamination, and the "misfit" product dilemma. Plus...

Are you waiting for the "right time" to launch your dream? Spoiler alert: the right time is never coming. In Episode 55, Margaret, Shauna, and Jessie (the Mini Heifer) deconstruct the Myth of Ready—the dangerous idea that everything must be flawless before you hit "publish".

In this episode, we explore: