spmg talks exclusively with toushonta hogan of scentsational soaps
DESCRIPTION
SPMG: The products are true to their name - SCENTSATIONAL! The Lemongrass/Patchouli Body Souffle has made my skin delectably silky! Thanks girl!TRANSCRIPT
Smith Publishing &
Media Group Talks
Exclusively to
of
Toushonta Hogan has always been creative, but life demanded that
she be practical….that is until one day a gift of handmade soap
from a friend changed her life. This moment opened her mind to
possibilities…and Scentsational Soaps was born. CLICK HERE TO VIEW COMMERCIAL VIDEO
Today Scensational Soaps brings you an array of products made with only the best ingredients, with NO water,
NO preservatives, NO mineral oil, and NO animal testing.
A&A: Thank you for taking the time to talk with Authors & Artists Magazine about you and your business “Scentsational Soaps”.
A&A: First, what a beautiful
name you have – Toushonta.
Who named you? What does
your name mean? Thank you. I was named by my father who named me
after Toussaint-L'Ouverture; the leader of the Haitian
Revolution. My father added the last syllable to
complete the name.
A&A: What were you like as a child? Were you creative? If so, in what ways?
As a child, I was very creative. I enjoyed drawing and making handmade cards.
A&A: Who closely identified with your creativity in your family?
My mom, she is very creative and loves crafts. She always said using her hands while being creative gives her
“peace.”
A&A: We understand you attended Cal State Dominguez Hills – Go Toros! Tell us
about your experiences there? Yes, I did. I loved Cal State Dominguez Hills. My experience
there was very gratifying. I received my Business
Administration Degree with an emphasis in Human Resources
in 2007. I met some wonderful people there as well as teachers,
whom I still stay in contact with today.
A&A: What were your plans after graduation?
My plan after graduation was to get a job and contribute to the
household. I went on several interviews with the intention that I
would work at either Sony Pictures or Neutrogena in their
Human Resources Department. However, after not receiving a
phone call from either company, I knew that I had to take
control of my future and create a job. I immediately asked God
what my purpose was, and before I knew it, within a month after completing college, he had revealed to me my
talent and purpose that had always been within me!
A&A: We heard you started Scentsational Soaps after receiving a bar of handmade
soap from a friend. Tell us about this?
Yes, my girlfriend has very sensitive skin and she would travel
very far to purchase her soap from a Farmers Market. One
day she brought back a bar of soap for me. As I was taking a
shower, I was so fascinated with the color, the smell and the
quality of the soap that I was excited to start making my own.
A&A: I would say your inability
to find a job was divine
intervention! How did you come
to the decision to start this
business?
After seeing the bar of soap that my girlfriend gave me and
noticing that I could not find a job, I began teaching myself
how to make soap with my kids. After making several bars of
soap and testing the market with close friends and colleagues, I
noticed that I had created a business. I would stay up for long
hours researching and educating myself about the different
products, ingredients, packaging, etc. to make the right
selection to incorporate in my line.
“I knew I had to take control of my future and create a job. – Toushonta Hogan
A&A: How much support or opposition did you experience? When I first started my business, I believe that the only opposition that I
had experienced was trying to establish my identity in the market. Being
that there’s lots of competition in the health &beauty industry, I had to
position myself with the right target audience. As far as support, my
husband, mother, best friend and my marketing manager have all played
an instrumental part of my life since Scentsational Soaps inception.
A&A: Despite the challenges of
starting a business, what has made you
persevere to the level of success you’ve
currently experienced?
Despite the challenges of starting a business, what has made me
persevere to the level of success that I’m currently experiencing has
everything to do with my kids. I have both a girl and a boy who actively
help me (mommy) with the business. I work hard for my children because
I want them to be exposed to what “life” has to offer. The world is full of
opportunities!
A&A: You started with handmade, natural soaps and
have expanded to other products. Tell us about them. Yes, originally we started with glycerin soap and later expanded to the
cold process way of making soap. The cold process way of making soap
is a tedious but joyous process to make the best natural soap. With different soap oils to choose from, it makes
customizing a soap for various types of skin, exciting! Our product line consist of soy
candles, bath salts, body butters, lip balms, salt glows, massage oils, bath teas and bath
melts. Recently, we just added our massage candles.
A&A: You have an “Awareness” Soap. Tell us about this product.
Our “ Awareness” Soap was made in recognition of my mom who is a two time Breast
Cancer Survivor. I wanted to show others how to turn a bad situation into a blessing for
others. Each time we sell a soap, a percentage of the proceeds goes to a non-profit
organization helping individuals fight against cancer; A Daughters Heart.
A&A: What is the philosophy of your company?
Our philosophy is that nature has already provided us with the resources to develop and
sustain healthy living. Through careful research and investigation while exercising moral
discipline our company can discover, develop and distribute such a product at an affordable price. It is only with
this directive that we can truly promote better living.
A&A: You offer individuals an opportunity to
become a consultant. How does this program work?
Yes, we do. For a small fee, an individual can become a consultant and
earn up to 50% with our program. Within a few days of signing our
agreement, they’ll receive the necessary tools to start selling
immediately online, face to face, or through private parties.
A&A: You also have a line of products for men. Tell
us about the products and the response from men
that have used them?
When we started developing our business, we wanted to incorporate a
men’s line that would allow men to look, feel and smell “attractive.” We
offer body butters, salt glows, and soap. The responses from the men have
been amazing. Most only wear our product without cologne as our products
are scented especially for the “manly” man.
A&A: Your products are available in
some stores. How did this distribution
angle come into play?
The distribution angle came into play when we wanted to appear on the shelves of spas, salons, etc. To test the
market, we first started on a consignment basis and later transitioned those stores into wholesale accounts.
A&A: Where do you see your business in 10
years?
In 10 years, I see my business as an international brand working
in an auto pilot mode.
A&A: What advice would you give other
individuals passionate about starting their own
business?
The advice that I would give others who are passionate about starting their own business would be three words “
Believe In Yourself.” Too many times, myself included, we find fault in ourselves. We have the ability to do
anything imaginable if we believe. I encourage other entrepreneurs to do just that “BELIEVE” and soar “HIGH.”
A&A: Lastly, what do you know for sure? What I know for sure is that staying positive and being persistent
DEFINITELY pays off. Don’t give up! Even when it looks dim, it’s a must that you continue and carry on!
For more information on Toushonta Hogan and Scentsational Soaps, visit www.scentsationalsoaps.biz .