Bleat, Lather, and Repeat - Finding Natural Goat Milk Soaps in the Valley.
When my sister said she and the family were packing up and heading to California, I was excited for them. My nieces and nephews, who are Midwestern-bred, were going to see and live on the West Coast! She had mentioned the goat farm, but I don’t think she yet knew how her small business, DolceMia Soaps, would get off the ground.
I reached out to ask what inspired her to start making soaps and what motivates her as a business owner, as well as the challenges she faces…
Every business has a "lightbulb" moment. Was there a specific thought that inspired you to make soap?
My lightbulb moment came from my son. He struggled with eczema, and as a mom I just wanted to find something gentle that would actually help his skin. After moving to California and working alongside my husband on my father-in-law's goat farm, I kept hearing about the soothing benefits of goat milk soap for inflamed, sensitive skin. That's when everything clicked. I started creating my own and it turned out so much bigger than I ever imagined.
How long does it take from milking the goats to having a finished, cured bar of soap ready for a customer?
From milking our goats to a finished bar ready for a customer, the process takes about 4 to 6 weeks. After milking, the fresh goat milk is frozen into ice cubes to preserve its quality and make it easier to work with during soap making. Each batch is then carefully handcrafted and left to cure for several weeks, creating a gentle, long-lasting bar. It's a slow process but that's what makes it so special!
Your scents are a huge part of the brand. How does inspiration come? Are there any examples for a particular soap? And do you have a favorite scent?
Scent inspiration comes from both the season—like spring time having more floral scents—and, of course my customers. Being at the San Jacinto Certified Farmers Market, I get to hear directly what people are looking for, and that really helps shape what I create next. One of my favorite soaps is my Oat and Honey bar. Made with colloidal oatmeal and real honey, it's been one of my best sellers, especially for customers with eczema right alongside my unscented bar. I love creating scents that not only smell amazing but also serve a purpose and truly help the skin.
When you first started, what was the hardest part of the "recipe" to master?
The hardest part in the beginning was finding the right superfat level. Superfatting is so important because it determines how moisturizing and gentle the soap will be on the skin. I wanted something that would truly nourish without feeling too heavy. Also working with different additives like clays, micas, fragrances and essential oil blends. Also choosing between intricate shapes or classic bar molds. Each choice affects how the soap performs and looks. So, it is still definitely a learning process.
Do you have a favorite goat/s? What personality trait do you like the most? Playful? Stubborn?
That is a very tough question! So my husband brings home premature/weakly goats to nurse them back to health so they can return to their families at the ranch. Goats are incredibly loving and nurturing animals. They remember you, value their bond with you and truly enjoy being petted. My favorite has to be the one I named Mickey Blue Eyes, a tiny pygmy runt who completely melted my heart. He has appeared in several of my Instagram reels and actually help one of them go viral. There's just something so special about him and his blue eyes. He will always be my favorite.
As a young entrepreneur, what’s one thing that surprised you most about starting a professional business?
I wouldn't say I'm young, but I am a first-time entrepreneur. What surprised me the most as a an entrepreneur is the workload. Managing everything from helping on the goat farm to making the soap, selling at farmers' markets and creating content for social media can definitely be overwhelming at times. But I love it; it allows me to be creative in so many ways, and with my background in pharma sales, I really enjoy connecting with customers and sharing my products and story.
Where do you see the farm and the soap shop in five years? Any plans for new products, such as lotions or balms?
That is a great question. Honestly, I'm very focused on the present right now and taking this one step at a time. I'm always open to new ideas and love creating new products, especially anything that gets goat milk on the skin in a beneficial way. I already enjoy introducing products like salves, lip balms, bath bombs and sugar scrubs and I plan to continue expanding in that direction as inspiration comes.
What would you say to another entrepreneur who has an idea but is unsure where to start?
I would say to just start! You don't need everything to be perfect before you begin. Start small and learn as you go. Also don't be afraid to make mistakes; that is part of the process. An idea doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful and taking the first step is the hardest and most important part.
DolceMia Soaps goes the extra mile with their products and aim to truly help people. Their goat milk soaps are handcrafted with care to provide natural relief for sensitive skin. Supporting small, women-owned businesses like this not only benefits your skin, but also strengthens the community.
Visit the online store to purchase soaps, lotions, and more!
Website: https://dolcemiasoaps.com
Follow on Instagram: @dolcemiasoaps
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