Let’s all take a few moments to celebrate this Earth Day; here are a few ways to kickstart your environmentally conscious journey!
Meet the HSCG Board!
The time has come again to welcome new and returning HSCG Board Members for another year. We’re fortunate at the HSCG to have a board filled with incredibly knowledgable soap and cosmetic makers with business and formulation experience that spans a variety of different topics. To get you better acquainted with the board, we asked them a few questions about … Read More
The Magic of the HSCG: Why Community Matters
What do you think of when you hear the word Guild? If you’re anything like me, you probably weren’t quite sure what a guild was when you first heard of it. Furthermore, you might not have really understood the importance of actually joining one; after all, you wear all the hats in your business, do you really need to be … Read More
Vegan, Fair Trade & Organic: Learning the Terminology
Now more than ever, consumers are concerned with what they’re putting in and on their bodies. Consumers are beginning to pay attention to where their products are made, whether or not their products are sustainable, and if they recognize and can pronounce the names of the ingredients the products contain. For the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry, this is great! … Read More
5 Ways to Shake Things Up and Get Motivated
You know that energy when you first start your business? You feel like you have enough motivation to conquer the world! It’s not uncommon for this energy to subside a little for some people. The busy nature of life and the fact that you’re playing about a thousand different roles in your business can be draining! In turn, sometimes it’s … Read More
Growing the Customer Experience
There are few things that customers appreciate more than a genuine, meaningful interaction with those they purchase goods from; especially if they are buying products from someone they know has taken the care to make each item by hand! As we start the new year, our resolutions range from healthier eating, to opening that shiny brick and mortar location, to … Read More
How to Keep Cool During the Holiday Season
The holidays are a magical, maniacal time of year when halls are decked, everything smells like cinnamon, and people trample fellow shoppers for the chance to save $15 on a television. So festive! As a retailer, the holidays can be especially stressful. Juggling inventory, dealing with set up and breakdown at shows all while handling your own holiday plans is … Read More
7 Candle Facts to Light Your Fire
Ah, wintertime. Here in Upstate New York, the weather change is marked by the sound of studded snow tires, the feel of fluffy jackets, and the smell of spices. One thing that we can agree keeps us cozy all year long is the benevolent glow of a well-made candle…but do you know the history behind this old flame? There is … Read More
Bath Teas, Soaks and Bombs: Enhancing Your Customers Bathtime
As a Handcrafter, you provide quality products, but you also provide a quality experience. For example, your customer could go to any big store and purchase a bar of generic soap; it would clean them, which is after all, the purpose. But, not only does your soap help them get clean, it also makes them feel good by smelling amazing, … Read More
Atlanta 2018: Meet Your Keynote Power Trio
Like it or not, 2017 is almost over; and time certainly does fly! It seems like we were in Vegas just yesterday getting ready to host the Annual Conference. As the page turns on 2017, we are looking ahead to the awesomeness that 2018 has in store-and that means the 2018 Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The 2018 Annual Conference … Read More