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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.”
“I knew I had to take control of my future and create a job. – Toushonta Hogan 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.
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 .