Meet Julie Palacios of The Crafty Soaps in Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Palacios.

Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Hi, My name is Julie. and my business name is The Crafty Soaps. 1st I will like to thank Voyage LA magazine for this opportunity. I make Natural handmade, handcraft soaps, body butter and bath salts. I start making soaps because years ago my nephew was diagnosed with eczema stage 3.

One day I did some research about the symptoms of eczema and dry skin, I came across on how to make soaps for eczema and a school that it was giving classes for beginners on how to make soaps. I took the class and after that class, I got hooked. I start reading books, did more researches on all the herbs and natural ingredients I can use to make soaps and all the benefits for our face and body. I can say I fall in love with soap making. Not only because they are fun to make, but because I can make a difference in someone’s body. I can say making soaps is my passion is everything, for me is a way to help a customer, is a way to be in touch with people. I been in business for over 2 years now, going to craft fairs, shows and farmers markets.

When I start my business I didn’t know what to expect, I start with only 7 different soaps. I remember it was a small table and I try to extend my soaps around so it looks full. One of the soaps was the one for eczema, after going to few craft show’s to sale, customers were calling me and telling me how they love the soap or commenting how they like how soft their body was. I was excited and emotional I couldn’t believe the response it was amazing hearing from them especially when they asked. How can I purchase more soaps, I didn’t have a website or Facebook so I was sealing over the phone and delivering my own products. This business has been giving me the opportunity to know the unknown of business and I still have a lot to learn.

It’s been over 2 years and thank god my business is increasing little by little. A year ago I took the hardest decision I have ever take in my life, either keeping my full-time job and knowing I will be able to pay my bills and put food in my table. or leave my job, taking the risk of what would happen tomorrow, so. I left my full-time job to be my own boss and dedicate all my time to be a full-time entrepreneur I wake up everyday early morning like if is a regular job and start working in my soap business. It has been a great challenge I have my up’s and downs but thank God, and thanks to all my customers, my family, friends and all the great vendors I meet in every event. Is been a great journey.

Special thanks to my younger brother for all his help when i got sick and his support, he took me to all my events and carry all my set up until i got better.

I was scared on the beginning but working hard I can say everything is possible. When I left my job I didn’t know if I was making the right decision, but now am glad I did that step because more doors have open, one of the big doors that open for me last year has been accepted to be a vendor in Knott’s berry farm for the holidays, It was a dream come true. I will say every day is a challenge, but working a full time on what I love to do has been a huge reward.

Thank you all again and I hope one day you will see my products in stores that is my goal. I will like to take this time to always thank all my customers for allowing me to be part of you by purchasing one of my products, for all your feedback’s and always come back to purchase more. That’s what makes me be better every.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been smooth but the challenge has been good. All the struggles are worth it all the no’s is a lesson I take to challenge my self to be better and teach my self that no matter what, a door will open and I have to keep knocking and I can’t give up. As long as my customers keep liking my products I know I am doing something good.

The Crafty Soaps – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I have a small craft soap business. I sale in craft show’s, fairs and some farmers markets I go from Los Angeles all way to San Diego. I specialize in soaps although I make body butter and bath salts my passion is my soaps. I am known for my soap for eczema, the goat’s milk soap for face and body with real honey, oatmeal and goats milk soap. And my brush cleaner soap. The thing I have been more proud of my company is how customers respond when they purchase my soaps.

What sets me apart from others, I can’t say I don’t like to compare my self with no one else,  I think we all have different ethics of work. I don’t take my business as a hobby I take it as a business and I always do a lot of research of what I put in my products and don’t sale just to sale. I think is one of the differences I have, I challenge my self to be better and make something good for all my customers. I love what I do.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moments was applying last year to Knott’s berry farm to be a vendor in their holiday event and be accepted. It was a lot of applicants and it was a challenge, I was an interview and my products were review. I was so proud when I got the call I was accepted.

Pricing:

• My prices start from $5.00 for small soaps to $12.00
• Luffah soaps are $10.00 to $12.00
• Herbal soap are $7.00
• Arnica Soap are $8.00 with real arnica oil and herbs, scented lemongrass good for joint pain

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thecraftysoaps.com
• Email: thecraftysoaps@yahoo.com

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.