Sunday, July 20, 2014

Life Moves Fast....And Here I Go!

So if you've been following this blog, you have been with me through quite a bit.  A whirlwind of life changes and a couple of career changes.

I started this blog in August, 2007.  Woah.  Seven years ago.  So much has happened in the last seven years.  I knew nothing about making soap when I started this blog.  I only knew that I just loved handcrafted soap and I knew that it needed to be in the spotlight.  If you didn't read this blog then, you may be interested how it all began.  You can go back to the beginning.  My first post asked people if they made handcrafted soap and wanted me to review it, to send it to me.  That my interest was to spread the beauty across the internet through the photos I'd take and the reviews I'd write.

I had no horse in this race.  Starting this blog was a hobby I created for myself.  I couldn't find anything about handcrafted soap on the internet except on how to make it, not the plain beauty of it. Starting this blog opened a world for me.  Within a couple of months readers encouraged me to make soap myself and when I did and failed, people asked me what soap calculator I used.  "What calculator??"  I was completely clueless.  And so readers were so sweet and encouraged me further.  For me, I had never met a group of people so community-based, so encouraging.  I felt at home in my new soapy world.

Eventually I harnessed the soap beast and rode that sucker until I got it!  Then I added soap to my line of bath and body goodies.  This blog has been not only a hobby for me, but one of my inspirational pools, my community support system and my creative outlet.

So with some serious family situations and personal deflation over the last year, I pushed through major obstacles and started a new business with two partners, my family.  We started Mad Oils. I feel like this is where I belong.  I enjoy sourcing raw materials and finding things for people.  I enjoy behind the scenes work.   I think it suits me.  I still want to connect with the community, to help customers succeed.  I want my customers to succeed!  That is why we are getting the best possible products.  But I needed you all to know where my path is going and where this blog has taken me.

Thank you for the 7 years of listening to me ramble on about soap, life, me, this and that.  And as I've said a million times, I have never claimed to be a writer, so I know my posts aren't grammatically correct.  I write the way I think and it's who I am.

I'm not done.  I'm still here and I'm still going to write and post soap porn and all that.  And I WILL try to post more often.  But I have certainly gotten caught up in life.  But life just started getting better!  So perhaps you'll see more of me, even though I'm busier!!

Love you!  xox Joanna

14 comments:

Charlene Simon said...

I love you, MoJo!

Maggie said...

Joanna, you are such an inspiration in so many ways. Thank you for your hard work. What a gift for me to know you. - Sue Finley

Barbara said...

I'm a new follower who has recently started making soap. My goal was to make something pretty, so I started playing around with color. It still looks like soap, not a fancy sculpture like so many other soaps out there, and that suits me well. The thing that got my attention about your blog was your photos, they are gorgeous! Plus, they show soap that still looks like soap, my goal! I will be around, please keep posting. xo

Unknown said...

As you can tell, I LOVE MAD OILS! I love the thought of a small company and the personal attention I get. the M and M's and little treat bags are the best. I fell like you guys CARE!

Nancy said...

As you can tell, I LOVE MAD OILS! I love the thought of a small company and the personal attention I get. the M and M's and little treat bags are the best. I fell like you guys CARE!

Unknown said...

Love you JoJo...Mamma

Unknown said...

That is wonderful Joanna. Best of luck in your new business venture. Your new site looks fabulous. Can't wait to go shopping☺

Deana said...

I just began making soap myself last year and your blog has been a source of inspiration for me. Congratulations on your new business; the site looks amazing! Can't wait to place my first order!

Angelsthreeinc said...

Good look and with Mad oils ! I hope to be a supporter of your company!

Claudia Wilson said...

Congratulations! The evolution in your interest is driven from the heart so I expect you'll do very well, plus you've got the brain and spirit to make things happen.

I'm wishing you immediate and long term success.

Claudia W

Unknown said...

Mad Oils is going to be so successful! I think that you are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations and all the very best of luck with the new venture! Your website looks fab - sadly I'm in the UK but I can still browse and drool ;-D

Becky said...

Best Wishes for much success, Joanna! So excited to see what you have to offer at Mad Oils!
:D

Joanna Schmidt said...

Thanks to you all!