In the world of artisan soaps, there’s a fine line between crafting a luxurious, skin-loving bar and running a business. For Rhianna, owner of Side Door Soaps and Sundry, a journey that started as a way to solve her family’s skin issues evolved into a decade-long passion and a small business that supports both retail and wholesale customers. Here’s an inside look into her soap studio, where science, creativity, and practicality blend into a seamless (and wonderfully scented) process.
Rhianna’s journey began in 2009 when her husband, who suffers from eczema, suggested they try making their own soap after years of struggling to find a product suitable for his sensitive skin. Over time, their homemade soap became a sought-after product, as friends and family appreciated its natural ingredients and gentle properties. What started as a DIY project quickly grew into Side Door Soaps and Sundry, leading to years of experimenting with soap recipes, textures, and fragrances.
“My husband is a project manager—he’s not the crafty type. But when he called me one day saying, ‘Let’s make our own soap,’ I was intrigued. Soon, friends were asking to buy our soap, and things took off from there!”
Crafting a batch of soap involves a detailed process rooted in chemistry. Using a blend of plant-based oils (olive, coconut, palm, and rice bran oils), Rhianna explains that the key is the “saponification” process—where oils react with lye to form soap.
Essential Steps:
- Mixing Ingredients: Rhianna uses the “heat transfer method,” combining lye and oils without additional heating. This approach saves time, as the reaction generates enough heat to melt the oils naturally.
- Experimenting with Bases and Additives: Some batches incorporate goat’s milk, which requires freezing to prevent scorching, while others include fun additives like shredded soap scraps to create colorful, confetti-like designs.
- Quality Control: Occasionally, batches don’t come out as planned. Instead of tossing imperfect bars, she shreds and repurposes them in creative ways, reducing waste.
“Soap-making is definitely science. It’s about balancing ratios and understanding how different oils react with lye. Sometimes, though, things can go sideways—a batch might overheat or take on a strange texture, especially if humidity or even the oils’ source has changed.”
Over the years, Side Door Soaps and Sundry has evolved to a blend of retail and wholesale, splitting sales roughly 50/50. Retail allows higher margins, but wholesale provides consistent demand without the burden of marketing. By focusing on wholesale, Rhianna partners with local stores and builds a steady revenue stream, which keeps her from having to store unsold stock.
“I convince my husband that wholesale’s great because I’m not paying for advertising—the retailers do that. Plus, wholesale keeps production moving, and I love knowing my soaps are always available in local stores!”
In addition to reusing soap scraps, Rhianna has recently joined a program where she can donate remnants to be repurposed and donated to underserved communities. This ensures her soap is used to its fullest potential and keeps her workspace clear of leftover bits.
“I send my scraps to a company that recycles them into new bars for communities in need. It’s great because it clears out space in my studio, and the soap goes to a worthy cause.”
With a decade of experience, Rhianna has learned to streamline her process, from weighing oils to managing inventory. She’s developed an efficient method of wrapping molds and refined her recipes to adapt to fluctuating ingredient prices. Recently, she started using rice bran oil due to the rising cost of olive oil, after discovering it has similar moisturizing and conditioning properties.
“Soap-making taught me the science I never thought I’d use! Calculating ratios and understanding fatty acid profiles has definitely been a learning curve, but it’s so rewarding to create something beneficial for the skin.”
For Rhianna, crafting soap is more than a business—it’s an art form and a way to give back to her community. From selecting the perfect essential oils to experimenting with seasonal fragrances, each batch from Side Door Soaps and Sundry is designed to provide a nourishing experience for those with sensitive skin.
“At the end of the day, I want my soap to feel like self-care for my customers. That’s why I keep the process natural, adding only what’s needed to make each bar a joy to use.”
Rhianna’s soaps are available year-round at several local shops, and she participates in seasonal vending events, including the holiday show at Pajama Factory and the Sip and Shop at Nomad Distilling. The limited availability makes her products a hot item during the holiday season.
“These are my busiest events of the year, and I love seeing customers’ reactions to my products. I usually sell out, so it’s hectic but fulfilling!”
