ESG stands for Environment, Social and Governance. Many of your larger companies have already established ESG practices into their mission statements and ways of doing business.
Just like energy companies trying to produce cleaner energy, many companies are changing their sustainable vision to be inline with ESG. ESG is a way to run your company ethically in a sustainable market. It will be the way of the future, and a good to way to stay a head of the changing sustainable market.
Lets Break it down:
Environmental- How are you improving your company practices to not do more harm to the world around you. For example, using less packaging or no packaging, at Mossy Creek Natural (our retail store) we have added a refillery. This is way for our customers to reuse their containers by refilling them with our products. Instead of buying a new container.
Social- This would be operating your business ethically, with gender and diversity inclusion. Engaging with people from demographics or ethnic groups that have previously not engaged with your brand. For example, we are looking into developing a mobile option for our retail store to bring our products directly to the people who otherwise do not have transportation to our downtown area.
We understand that not everyone can afford to shop with us but we want to include everyone, we believe using natural products do not need to be uber expensive and should be available to everyone. Taking the container out of the picture is our way of bringing the price down for our customers and be able to make a product that is sustainable.
Governance- A variety of governmental organizations have devised a way to grade companies (ESG Scoring) based on how sustainable or diverse a company is doing business. ESG scoring is a way to score your company based on how you operate in an sustainable world, which may change the way you are able to get funding in the future. Currently, some larger companies are getting lower stock rankings because of their score. I think most of our small soapmaking business are already inline but it is something to consider.
Building your brands vision and sharing your vision by communicating this on your "about us" page on your website, social media pages and on your printed material would be a way to create transparency in regards to ESG.
Trying to build a new company? Need help? Contact us on how you can start your own Soapmaking Business or join us in our next Soapmaking Weekend Workshop.
]]>This is the picture (below) of what I created when I thought I was working with
Mica and Oil.
This was unexpected and I had to figure out what went wrong. I began to review the steps in my head and then realized I had grabbed the glycerin instead of the oil when I pre-mixed the mica. How did that happen? Well for one thing since I was already blending the colors for the main batch with glycerin I also blended the "mica oil" colors I set aside with glycerin as well. Oops! The best designs are created by mistakes.
You have completed your inner swirl creation and ready to create an outstanding top swirl.
Add your prepared mica + glycerin mixture to the top of your design. Noticed how lightly I added it. Too much of the mixture here and your soap will not be able to absorb the glycerin later.
Swirl top normally, notice how the mica + glycerin mixture begins to separate? This is the cool part!
Put your soap to bed, let GEL normally (this method doesn't work well with folks who do not like to GEL their soaps). One reason for gel is to be sure the glycerin gets absorbed into the soap. Leaving behind only the indention of mica. I usually leave it for about 2 days before I unmold it.
Here's a close up view
Here's a cut section of this soap
To learn more about creating your own work of art in soap, you should
contact Michelle for a private Soapmaking Design lesson
or if you have never made soap before you can find our e-handouts to our classes which include VIDEO links by CLICKING HERE
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We were thrilled to be interviewed by Rare.us.
]]>But first you will have to do your homework. You have about 3 seconds for potential customers to pass judgement about your booth. You better make it look good enough from them to stop. Think of your display as a huge billboard on a highway—would you stop?
A way to ensure your space is workable for you and comfortable for your customer is to understand booth layout. There are many ways to set up your space but I narrowed it down to nine.
STRAIGHT LINE
You will want to add height to this booth design because space is limited
GALLEY STYLE
L SHAPED DESIGN
INVERTED “L” DESIGN
U SHAPED DESIGN
INVERTED “U” DESIGN
OPEN “T” DESIGN
OPEN “T” WITH “L” DESIGN
MIXED DESIGN
Hope this helps you as much as it has helped me. We can help you get started with your own business sign up for business consulting today!
]]>1. SELECTING TOO MANY DARK COLORS– I go back to my photography composition and rule of thirds skills on this one. It’s important to create balance, a good balance of light and dark.
2. NEGLECTING TO TEST YOUR COLORS BEFORE YOU SWIRL THEM– This one is important because if you know what the outcome is going to be..
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]]>2. NEGLECTING TO TEST YOUR COLORS BEFORE YOU SWIRL THEM– This one is important because if you know what the outcome is going to be then designing the outcome will be easier. Swirling a batch of soap is not a good time to find out your beautiful blue turned pink on you.
3. IGNORING YOUR SCENT COLOR FAMILY– All scents smell like a color. If for example you make an ocean/air/ozone soap—you immediately think blue. Now is not the time to make it a pretty dark brown color with a gold swirl. It will throw your customers off. People gravitate toward color and the ones that like blue scents may not like brown which may signify sweet. (which would be the brown/gold swirl one)
4. USING A FRAGRANCE THAT IS NOT CLEAR TO START WITH– The color of your fragrance or essential oil could change the colors you are expecting. For example, if you use a fragrance that was a dark yellow and you are adding a pretty blue color, you may end up with a green version of it instead of the pretty blue you started with. If the fragrance contains vanilla it will darken over time no matter how much white you apply.
5. FORGETTING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTRAST– You need a good color wheel to find that magical opposite color. Opposites attract and stand out—good ones anyway. To purchase a good color wheel see more here: COLOR WHEEL
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]]>I thought I would share some web hosting jargon so that you might understand what they are talking about when you set up your first website
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So honored to be featured!! Listen to our story via podcast with Donna Maria!
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