Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle LaRocque.
Michelle, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I spent the last 30 years working for an almost impossible industry, health insurance! I had been making soaps and essential oil products for about 2 years and decided it was time for the major life change. I walked away from the security and medical insurance and paid vacation days but I haven’t looked back for a single second. I am my own boss, I love what I do, it makes people happy so it makes me happy. I finally feel like I’m doing something worthwhile and making a difference.
I currently work out of my home here in Western MA (Springfield) and have officially only been in business for a year and a half. Business is growing FAST! I spend time at local artisan craft fairs, participate in fundraisers for charities in my local community and my products can be found in several stores and gift shops around Western MA. I have a business FaceBook page which generates most of my business, and a website that holds me steady with wholesale orders, I think what sets me apart from other soap makers is in addition to all of the above, I do home parties and custom orders.
Wedding and baby shower favors and a beer soap made with beer from our local Springfield brewery! I am in the process of creating a very large custom order for a small business owner and friend who will be taking my products to the Eastern States Exposition (Big E) this year. So excited to have this kind of exposure. I am also happy to collaborate with another local business Monsoon Roastery Coffee, also in Springfield and include his coffee and beans in my candles and soaps! Joint efforts succeed!
The future is looking bright for It Makes Scents, MGM Casino is moving in right down the street from me in just two weeks and I have been added to their local vendor list so I will be able to participate in future events with them as well. I am living proof that this does work if you put your mind, (energy, soul, sweat and humor!) to it. My advice to those looking to ditch the rat race would be to take classes from your local small business development center, be persistent, learn how to use social media successfully, and don’t be shy!
And finally, to top that all off, when I am not making soap, candles and essential oil products I am a day support staff individual for my cousin Joshua who is 23 years old with Down Syndrome. I spend time helping him learn life skills like grocery shopping, cooking and accompany him to his MANY part time jobs including doggy day care and pet sitting. It’s very and the kid keeps me on my toes with new adventures all the time!
Has it been a smooth road?
The business has been slowly and steadily growing but it has not always been an easy road. I had to learn how to do a bunch of different things to try and save money in the beginning.
I had to build my own website, (wow, what a challenge and took so much time), I had to and still am taking business classes from my local small business development center, I participated in so many artisan craft fairs and some I had to walk away making $20 or I had to sit out in the rain all day and never had a single customer. I also had to learn how to be BOLD. Cold calling gift shops and stores were something that didn’t come easily to me, but I had to put my big girl pants on and make it happen.
After a shop owner would tell me “oh, we already have soap”, I would put together a gift basket of my products and walk in their front door anyway! I sealed the deal with some of them even after the original answer of no! The toughest part of all for me was learning how to write a business plan. I think I had about ten different versions and it still slightly changes even today.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the It Makes Scents by Michelle story. Tell us more about the business.
I make handmade soaps, essential oil products and soy wax candles. I would not consider myself a soap maker but a soap artist. 90% of soap makers out there make their products in a repetitive fashion with a similar look from one soap to another. I (almost) never make the same soap twice. You will find the same colors or similar pattern and fragrances, but I love to be super creative and get totally bored if I have to do the same thing over and over. “They,” said this plan wouldn’t work, but it does for me. My customers patiently wait to see what’s coming next!
What sets me apart is that I not only make soap but I am big into essential oils. There are not many single business owners who do both. I am always taking online classes for the essential oils from Aromahead Institute and hope to be certified one day. Oils can really enhance your life in an all natural way and I can’t get enough of them. Another thing that sets me apart from others is that I do home parties. Yup, just like the old Tupperware days! I call them “sip & shop”, I bring the product, you invite your friends and open a couple bottles of wine. It makes for a very intimate shopping experience where you can just hang with your friends. I don’t provide any demonstrations or speil, but will share all the knowledge I have if anyone is interested.
Lastly, I do custom orders, lots of them. (I’m still a one-woman show, so I try to keep it to 75 pieces or below right now). Bridal shower favors were created from drawings that I did up for the client until we landed in a happy place. I do baby shower favors, bridal party gift baskets, and soaps using ingredients made by other local business here in Springfield. (coffee and beer!)
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I don’t anticipate any major shifts. Things are holding steady with folks wanting to use more all-natural ingredients, and items that are unique and can’t be found in the local shopping mall. I am finding that some people are not always willing to spend the extra cash on handmade items for themselves but will do it for gift giving without blinking an eye. I hope self-care is on the rise!
Pricing:
- They are all under $20 and most under $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 77 Fairfield Street
- Website: www.itmakesscentsbymichelle.com
- Phone: 4132659307
- Email: mslarocque@comcast.net
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
