The What, Why, & Where of NAICS Codes

Executive DirectorBusiness & Finance1 Comment

As a small business owner, you’ve probably heard of NAICS codes before but may not know what they are, what they’re for, or how to find out which one is right for your business.  Here’s a quick overview of what you need to know!     // What is a NAICS code? // A NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Rustic Escentuals

Executive DirectorMember SpotlightsLeave a Comment

Happy Friday Tracers! This week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight goes to our lovely friends at Rustic Escentuals in Roebuck, South Carolina! Having started out in 1999 with founder and owner Amy Pascoe filling orders in the middle of her laundry room, it’s quite impressive that now Rustic Escentuals has grown into a widely popular specialty warehouse that acts as a “one-stop-shop” for the industry! … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Mission Peak Soap & Supplies

Executive DirectorMember Spotlights2 Comments

Happy Friday peeps – you made it through another week! And yes, it’s that time of the week again – We’re excited to let you know that this week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight is going to Mission Peak Soap & Supplies! How beautiful are those castille soaps in the background image? (They let me in on the fact that they made them with … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Mad Oils, Inc.

Executive DirectorMember Spotlights10 Comments

  Howdy Tracers!  It’s been decided that we’re going to start showcasing all of our lovely feature posts right here on Ye Olde Blogg so that we (and you) will be able to admire them for years to come! I know, we’re excited too. We are even more excited to say that this week’s #HSCGVendorSpotlight goes toooo….(*drum roll*) Mad Oils, … Read More

Member Spotlight: Master Certification Recipients

Executive DirectorMember SpotlightsLeave a Comment

Are you exited? Because WE’RE excited! I must say that I do love the fresh smell of ambition in the morning… For those who may not know, one of the many Member Benefits of the HSCG is the opportunity to partake in the Certification Program.  Long story short,  there are  3 levels of certification: Basic, Advanced, and Master.  Each available … Read More

FDA Responds to PO Box Petition

Executive DirectorIndustry Advocacy & News19 Comments

In August of 2012, the HSCG wrote a Citizen Petition to the FDA – Department of Health & Human Services, regarding the use of a PO Box in the place of a street address on a cosmetic label.  We did this mainly for the safety of the small businesses that make up the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry as many … Read More

Member Benefits: Use ‘em, Don’t Lose ‘em

Executive DirectorMembership & BenefitsLeave a Comment

Are you getting the most out of your membership? Sure, we advocate for the entire handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry and we offer some pretty killer insurance to professional US and Canadian members as well as a not-to-be-missed yearly conference. But if you’re just here for the conferences or the insurance, you’re missing out on so much more. As we … Read More

Soap + Mold: Happily Ever After

Executive DirectorTips, Tricks & Tutorials8 Comments

She’d been salivating over it for months (years, maybe?) and finally, it was here. No more odd-sized bars cut from shoe box molds.  No more fighting with freezer paper or struggling to precisely line makeshift molds.  She dove into the newly delivered box and unwrapped a brand-new silicone lined mold.  Admiring its fine, shiny, perfectly square edges, panic set in… … Read More