The Dirty Heifers

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, building customer trust, and how honest businesses can stand out without tearing down the competition.

Whether you're a new soap maker or an experienced small business owner, this conversation will challenge the way you think about marketing.

👇 Tell us in the comments: Have you ever seen fear-based marketing in the handmade community?

👍 Like this video if you enjoyed it, subscribe for more soap business discussions, and share this episode with another maker.

00:00 The quote that stopped us scrolling

01:00 Welcome to The Dirty Heifers

02:20 Word of the Week: Perspicacious

06:05 Redneck Word of the Week

08:40 Meet Katherine Popp

11:30 Why Katherine speaks out online

14:30 Fear-based marketing in handmade soap

18:20 Why honesty builds stronger businesses

22:10 Why fear works so well in marketing

24:00 Ingredient claims and FDA concerns

29:00 The truth about "miracle" soap ingredients

33:15 Goat milk, tallow, and overhyped ingredients

37:30 Building trust without attacking competitors

38:30 Copying soap designs: inspiration vs. theft

42:00 Final thoughts on growing with integrity

#SoapMaking #SmallBusiness #HandmadeSoap #SoapBusiness #Marketing #Entrepreneur #SoapMaker #BusinessTips #DirtyHeifers #KatherinePopp

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 Facebook groups, TikTok, YouTube, or that one aunt who made soap back in 1987...this episode is for you.

Whether you're a beginner soap maker or an experienced maker looking to sharpen your skills, we're separating science from internet folklore—with plenty of laughs along the way.

💬 Question of the Day: What's the worst soap making advice you've ever heard?

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, like, subscribe, and share it with another maker who needs to hear it!

#soapmaking #coldprocesssoap #soapmyths #soapmaker #handmadesoap #smallbusiness #soapbusiness #makersgonnamake #soapscience #thedirtyheifers

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 from serious business advice to talking about river cooters and jump ropes... you're in the right place.

💬 Question of the Day: What's the biggest change happening in your business or life right now? Tell us in the comments!

👍 Like this video if you enjoy Heifer Huddles, subscribe for new episodes every week, and share this with another maker who needs a laugh today.

Stay Dirty Heifers!

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 bar of soap?

👍 Like this subscribe for more soap making laughs, business advice, and behind-the-scenes conversations, and share it with the friend who NEEDS to hear this!

#SoapMaker #BarSoap #RedditStories #HandmadeSoap #SmallBusiness #SoapMaking #FunnyPodcast #Hygiene #DirtyHeifers

00:00 Cold Open: The Grossest Soap Story Ever

00:43 Welcome to the Dirty Heifers Podcast

01:23 Jessie vs. the Dictionary

05:54 Redneck Word of the Week

08:16 Reddit Story #1: Switching to Bar Soap

17:24 Bar Soap vs. Body Wash Debate

23:32 Reddit Story #2: The Airbnb Soap Disaster

34:47 Reddit Story #3: "Don't Dookie Dunk the Soap"

47:39 What We Learned from Reddit

49:11 Final Thoughts & Outro

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 linked video to watch the full episode and join the conversation! #SoapMaking #SmallBusiness #DirtyHeifers

0:00 – Intro: The "What If" Scenario

2:05 – Word of the Week: Pecuniary

4:35 – Redneck Word of the Week: Byhalia

8:47 – Ashley’s Origin Story: From Crunchy Mom to Business Owner

13:36 – Navigating the Business Rollercoaster

17:22 – The Reality of Taxes & Payroll

22:28 – What to Outsource (and What to Do Yourself)

26:39 – Content Strategy: The Power of Consistency

32:43 – The Transition to Teaching

54:45 – The Realities of Success (and the Toilet in the Floor Story)

1:01:18 – Rapid Fire: Overrated Ingredients & Advice

#SoapMaking #SmallBusinessTips #DirtyHeifersPodcast #SoapBusiness #MakerCommunity #EntrepreneurLife #SoapMaker #BusinessGrowth #HandmadeSoap #RadicalHonesty

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, unfiltered maker advice? Hit that subscribe button and join the herd!

#SoapMaking #SmallBusinessTips #TheDirtyHeifers #MakerCommunity #EntrepreneurLife #ContentCreator #SoapBusiness #VloggingTips #BusinessBurnout #CreativeJourney

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 stories, sharing industry tips, and proving that even the "successful" makers have no clue what they’re doing half the time.

Come for the business advice, stay for the chaotic humor and "Jesse vs. The Dictionary."

Join the conversation below: What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your business? Let us know in the comments!

#SoapMaking #SmallBusinessOwner #EntrepreneurLife #DirtyHeifers #MakerCommunity #BusinessStruggles #SoapBusiness

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 this episode:

• 0:00 - Intro & Sponsor Spotlight: Bawauna Bath and Body
• 1:54 - "Jesse vs. The Dictionary": The Word of the Week
• 7:07 - Southernism of the Week
• 8:00 - Small Business Wins & Recent Fragrance Tests
• 13:20 - The Reality of "Blind" Noses & Olfactory Fatigue
• 15:35 - Soap Making Challenges: Molds & Dish Soap Success
• 18:37 - TikTok Lives: The Struggle with Restrictions
• 21:12 - Business Tasks We've Finally Mastered
• 32:00 - The Headache of Multi-Location Operations
• 45:40 - Trends We Secretly Hate (Yoni Soaps & Laugh Tracks)
• 1:01:00 - Small Business Opinions We’ll Defend Forever

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 it actually means to be the "Heifer" in these situations.

In this episode:

• Am I the Heifer? Reddit soap drama deep dive
• Setting boundaries with friends and family who want free product
• Why handmade soap is worth every penny (and why you shouldn't feel guilty about your prices)
• The reality of "influencers" asking for freebies
• Defining "Presumptuous" and "Wallered Out" with some Southern sass

Shop the episode: Support farmhouse charm and southern sassery at Country Lather Soapworks.

#SoapMaking #SmallBusinessTips #AmITheAsshole #DirtyHeifers #HandmadeSoap #BusinessBoundaries #RedditDrama

• 00:00 Intro & Welcome to the Dirty Heifers
• 01:35 Word of the Week: Presumptuous
• 05:06 Redneck Word of the Week: Wallered Out
• 08:06 Am I the Heifer? Friend wants "Mate's Rates"
• 14:55 Dealing with "Influencers" asking for freebies
• 20:03 Am I the Heifer? The Brother/Eczema Soap drama
• 27:15 The "Decorative Soap" nostalgia
• 30:22 Am I the Heifer? The Couple & The Soap Trauma
• 37:21 Am I the Heifer? The Roommate "Fair Game" debate
• 41:39 Soap in the Classroom: Kids and soggy bars
• 45:43 Small business boundary: Stop feeling guilty about pricing
• 46:11 Outro: That's What She Said

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 soap is suddenly trendy again

Featuring: Margaret from Warm & Fuzzy Soapery Jessie from Country Lather Soapworks Shauna from Bawauna Bath & Body

If you love soapmaking, small business chaos, skincare trends, handmade products, or just hearing three heifers spiral about expensive lotion… welcome home.

#soapmaking #smallbusiness #bathandbodyworks #luxury #handmadesoap #podcast