How to Keep Cool During the Holiday Season

Sara WagnerBusiness & FinanceLeave a Comment

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

Let’s Make a Coffee Bar!

Sara WagnerTips, Tricks & Tutorials1 Comment

If you’re like about 50% of the HSCG Staff, you need at least one cup of coffee per day to function!  Did you know that not only can you get a little energy boost from this miraculous bean water, but you can also use it in your soapmaking endeavors? It’s true! Let’s talk about taking you and your customer’s love … Read More

Protecting Your Business: All About Trademarks

Sara WagnerBusiness & FinanceLeave a Comment

Starting a new business venture is an exciting life decision that comes with many considerations; one of these considerations is the choosing of your business name! Soap and cosmetic businesses are popping up at a fast pace, and this means more names and trademarks are being registered each day. A trademark is defined as a symbol, term or terms that … Read More

Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Packaging (Part 1) – Finding the Best Fit for Your Bar

Executive DirectorTips, Tricks & Tutorials1 Comment

You’ve made your product; that swirl is just right, the scent; amazing! Now comes the big decision…how are you going to package it? When it comes to packaging soap and cosmetics, there are many different options on the market. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, and everyone has opinions on which type is best; we won’t try to decide … Read More

Vendor Spotlight: Essential Depot

Executive DirectorMember SpotlightsLeave a Comment

Greener Life Diamond

Greener Life Diamond In anticipation of their exciting new announcement regarding The Greener Life Diamond™, we recently caught up with Derek Hodges President and CEO of Essential Depot, Inc. to ask a few questions about the conceptualization and need for The Greener Life Diamond. Q. How did you come up with the Greener Life Diamond concept? A. It was a … Read More

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

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