I just spent the past week with 220+ individuals who have drank the “Kool Aid” of handcrafted soapmaking at the 2009 Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild annual conference in Palm Springs, CA. Now, I am not a person who likes the heat and with everyday being 103F+ degrees it could have been a recipe for disaster.  But, it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended, the heat be damned!

First of all, who could not have enjoyed being around 220+ individuals who share the same passion you do, making fabulous skincare products.  Second, there was great information.  Presentations by some of the best soapmakers in the business including Lela Barker of Belle Lucce, Lori Nova of Nova Studio, Linda Stevens of Upland Soap Factory, Kelly Bloom of BloomWorks Soap Co. and Marla Bosworth of Back Porch Soap Company was on the schedule everyday. To help us navigate the ups and sideways of business there was Donna Marie Coles Johnson of Indie Beauty Network, Jamila White the E-Commerce Diva and Kayla Fioravanti owner of Essential Wholesale & Essential Labs giving us great information.  Kicking everything off was Erin Brockovich, inspiration for the hit movie “Erin Brockovich” starring Julia Roberts.  She summed up the entire conference and independent beauty industry with these few words “Just stick to it”!  How many times have you seen people become great success with half the talent that you have and you wonder how the heck they did it?  Most of the time if you just hang in there and show up for the game you win or as Erin Brockovich said, “just stick to it”.

 Attending this conference gave me renewed energy for Skincare by Feleciai. It stoked my determination to provide the best handmade skincare products that I can to a very deserving audience. So look out world (and dry skin) here I come!

Lime Spearmint Soap with sprigs of spearmint and slices of lime. Can we say, Mojito?