The Dirty Heifers

What if getting bigger isn't actually the goal?

After two episodes of talking about massive production, scaling, private label, and what it takes to build a huge soap business, we're ending our three-part conversation with Joanna Couch—the Soap Gal—with a question that might surprise you:

Do you actually need to scale?

In the final episode of our conversation with Joanna Couch of The Soap Gal and Makers Haven, we're talkin...

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 mo...

What does it take to go from a 10×10 tax shed to making 12 MILLION bars of soap in a year?

Joanna Couch — better known as The Soap Gal (@thesoapgal) — knows exactly what that looks like.

In Part 1 of our conversation with Joanna, we go WAY beyond the usual “how I started my soap business” story. Joanna takes us through the messy, surprising, and sometimes downright terrifying journey from farmers markets and f...

What if quitting your soap business isn’t failure?

What if you built something successful, served amazing customers, learned more than you ever thought you would… and eventually realized you just don’t want to do it anymore?

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we sit down with Sharon Reaser of Bumble and Bleat Soap, who made the difficult decision to close her handmade soap business after years of trying to figur...

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we're sharing the biggest money traps we've fallen into during our soap-making journeys. From buying way too many fragrance oils and specialty ingredients to collecting molds we'll never use, we're talking about the purchases we'd skip if we were starting over today.

Whether you're making your very first batch or growing a handmade soap business, this episode will help you avoid expensive mistak...

Should handmade soap businesses scare customers into buying?

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, we're joined by Katherine Popp of Desert Soul Soapery to talk about one of the biggest issues facing the handmade soap industry: fear-based marketing.

From "non-toxic" claims to miracle ingredient promises, we discuss where education ends and manipulation begins. We also dive into ingredient myths, FDA claims, copying soap designs, buil...

Imagine spending hundreds of dollars on soap making supplies only to ruin a batch because someone online confidently gave you terrible advice.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we're busting some of the biggest myths in handmade soap making—from lowering your soap's pH to curing soap for one week, dreaded orange spots (DOS), 100% coconut oil soap, fragrance oil myths, and more.

If you've learned soap making from Fac...

Sometimes you just need to catch up.

In this Heifer Huddle, we're talking about everything that's happened behind the scenes—from moving across the country, building new soap shops, scaling wholesale businesses, shipping nightmares, customer stories, SOAPCon prep, and the reality of running a handmade business.

If you're a soap maker, small business owner, or just enjoy hanging out with three friends who somehow manage to go fr...

This hilarious clip from The Dirty Heifers Podcast dives into one of the grossest Reddit soap stories we've ever read. From bar soap debates to hygiene horror stories, we couldn't stop laughing... or gagging.

If you're a soap maker, small business owner, or just someone who appreciates a good internet train wreck, this one's for you.

💬 Tell us in the comments: Do you use bar soap, body wash, or BOTH? And... would you ever share a ba...

Ever wonder what happens to your soap business if social media disappears tomorrow?

🧼 Ashley from @MyHealthySoap joins us to talk about the reality of scaling, managing the "rollercoaster" of sales, and why sometimes, staying small is the best business move you can make.

From tax nightmares to viral video secrets, we're cutting through the noise.

Check out the full episode for the radical honesty our community craves!

Click the...

Ever wonder what happens when life throws a massive plot twist at your small business? 🌪️ We’re sitting down with Jerica from @Quench to talk about rebranding, moving countries, and the reality of life as a creator. Plus, we’re sharing some "radical honesty" on why you shouldn’t feel pressured to scale.

Don't miss the tea on why you actually need a Patreon (and when you should skip it!). 🧼✨

Want more raw, unfilte...

Tired of the "perfect" entrepreneur highlight reel? 🧼 The Dirty Heifers are pulling back the curtain on the messy, real-life struggles of running a bath and body business.

From expensive advertising blunders and failed product launches to the absolute chaos of imposter syndrome—we’re getting real about it all. If you’ve ever felt like you’re on the "struggle bus," you’re not alone. We’re swapping...

Welcome back to another "Heifer Huddle" on the Dirty Heifers Podcast! Tonight, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna ditch the formal outlines to vent about the reality of running a handmade soap business. From the struggle of navigating social media restrictions and managing multiple shop locations to the weirdest customer interactions and our latest business "wins," we’re covering it all. Grab your soap and join the conversation!

In ...

People will absolutely ruin friendships, family relationships, and even marriages over handmade soap—and we have the receipts to prove it.

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers Podcast, we’re diving into the lathery legal system of Reddit to settle some serious scores. From friends demanding "mate's rates" on artisan bars to roommates causing literal bathroom warfare over eczema-safe soap, we’re breaking down what i...

Why is EVERYTHING suddenly “luxury”? 👀 From $56 bars of soap to “fine fragrance mists,” the Dirty Heifers break down the rise of luxury branding in bath & body products — and whether it’s genius marketing or complete nonsense.

We talk: 🧼 Triple-milled soap 💸 $25 acne soap bars 🛁 Bath & Body Works “luxury” rebrand 📦 Packaging psychology ✨ Self-care culture 👀 Why handmade s...

Welcome back to another chaotic Heifer Huddle! 🤠 This week, the girls are breaking down the absolute reality of running a handmade business, surviving extreme overtime, and trying not to lose their minds during life transitions.

From an emergency Amazon purchase involving an incredibly questionable tool name, to a cold-process soap chemistry surprise that turned a white batch mauve pink with zero dye—we are covering it all. P...

Is your Shopify dashboard looking like a ghost town? You aren’t failing—you’re just experiencing the Summer Slump. ☀️📉

Every year, the weather warms up and small business sales cool down. In this episode of The Dirty Heifers, Margaret, Shauna, and Jessie break down exactly why engagement drops when the sun comes out and—more importantly—how to turn this "dead zone" into your most productive season of t...

Thinking about selling at a craft fair, farmers market, or pop-up shop? Watch this FIRST.

In this episode of The Dirty Heifers Podcast, we break down EVERYTHING no one tells you about vendor markets—from finding the right events to surviving your first show without losing your mind (or your profit 😅).

One of us is preparing for a massive 4-day festival with 100,000+ people, while the rest of us spill real, unfiltered lessons f...

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, Margaret, Jessie, and Shauna pull up a chair for a little "real talk" about the unexpected side of running a bath and body business. While most makers start out focused on the craft, the journey quickly demands a whole new set of skills—from mastering video editing and product photography to the complex psychology of pricing and the constant art of on-the-fly troubleshooting.

The h...