Episode 88: You Don't Have to Make the Soap to Build a Soap Business
What if you could build a successful soap brand without making every single bar yourself? In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Couch of The Soap Gal, we're going behind the label—and into the world of white label, private label, contract manufacturing, branding, and scaling a soap business. Joanna has spent years manufacturing products for other brands, including major brands and Amazon sellers, so she has a perspective most soap makers simply don't get to hear. We talk about the difference between white label and private label, what custom manufacturing actually looks like, minimum orders, customization, packaging, lead times, manufacturing costs, and what brands need to know before approaching a manufacturer. But this conversation goes way beyond manufacturing. Joanna challenges the idea that you need to make everything yourself to build a successful business. She talks about why she would focus heavily on branding, marketing, and sales if she were starting over today, why knowing your customer comes before choosing your product, and why she thinks social media and a strong website can completely change the way a handmade business grows. And yes… we get to the golden retriever strategy. 🐕 If you've ever wondered whether you should keep making everything yourself, move into wholesale, explore private label, or spend more of your time selling instead of producing, this episode is packed with ideas to chew on. And Joanna doesn't sugarcoat it. She talks about mistakes, bad batches, lost money, difficult clients, saying no, and the reality of manufacturing at scale. This is Part 2 of our three-part conversation with Joanna Couch. If you missed Part 1, go back and watch that first—and make sure you stick around for Part 3, where we dive into Makers Haven, collaboration, community, and Joanna's vision for helping other makers grow. 🧼 In this episode: White label vs. private label How contract manufacturing works How much customization is possible Minimum orders and lead times Manufacturing for Amazon brands What manufacturers wish small brands understood Why branding and marketing may matter more than making everything yourself How to identify your audience before manufacturing Social media vs. your website AI and protecting your brand/image Starting a soap business in 2026 Wholesale and the “golden retriever” strategy What soap makers get wrong about scaling Why you don't necessarily need a huge product line Six-figure soap businesses The realities of manufacturing mistakes and lost inventory If you're a soap maker, small-business owner, or handmade entrepreneur, we'd love to have you in the Heifer herd. 👍 Like this episode, subscribe to The Dirty Heifers, and turn on notifications so you don't miss Part 3. 💬 What did Joanna say that made you rethink how you run your business? Tell us in the comments! And as always… Stay Dirty Heifers. #TheDirtyHeifers #SoapMaking #SoapBusiness #PrivateLabel #WhiteLabel #SoapMaker #HandmadeBusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship #SoapIndustry
