Rising Stars: Meet Joy Hunley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joy Hunley.

Joy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2000. I began a very lucrative career, where I visited customers in person in their homes. Early on, I met a wonderful older woman who happened to be making soap while I visited her for an inspection. I was so intrigued and excited because she explained Soap has just a few simple ingredients.

I was hooked and begged her to teach me how to make soap and she did. With my newfound ability to make soap, I started to experiment with different ingredients. I shared my soaps with family and friends as a new hobby. Fast forward 20 years, I was no longer able to continue in my sales position due to changes in my health. I needed a new career, but I never considered the Soap business as an option at the time.

Then, the pandemic hit! Lo and behold due to this, Soap was in high demand and low supply. Aha, moment! I knew how to make soap! My cousin invited me to try and sell my Soap at a flea market in North Florida. I got to work making pastel-colored soaps around the clock for days. Much to my surprise soaps are a big hit. I sold over 75 bars in approximately two hours!

This was such an eye-opening experience and motivated me to try and make this a new career. I loved the entire experience, The atmosphere, the people I met, and The Soap were like fine art. Art has always been close to my heart since my mom was a watercolor artist. I remember being so moved by my opportunity to contribute to people’s well-being through my Soap, especially since my photo is all-natural ingredients put together with love.

I had previously tried to market my soaps entirely through my website. I did not have much success or gratification. What I realize was the missing factor – interacting with people. People needed to see and feel and smell my soaps in person. I found an in-person outlet at Oldsmar Flea Market which has been very successful.

Moving forward we are discussing an online Soap subscription, and possibly offering up all-natural one-of-a-kind soaps to local hotels and gift shops. As I reflect on my Soap business success I realize I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family and friends.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Obstacles and challenges: The number one challenging issue was definitely fear of failure. The challenges of opening a new business during a pandemic when many established businesses were failing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The process is very detailed, figuring out the recipe, deciding what color, deciding what scent, and also how will the end product look. A lot of the process is figuring out the recipe., and putting it into action.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Larry Hunley, my husband has not only been very supportive in the soap-making business he also helps make the products. Sometimes he makes a loaf of soap.

Sometimes he jars up my sugar scrubs and whips soap. He tries to stay very involved with the behind-the-scenes process. I’m very grateful for that.

Pricing:

• All Products $7.00
• Special Buy 5 for $30
• Special also includes “Loofah Soap Bag” Free
• Holiday Gift Boxes, starting at $14.99
• Special Orders, by request (Price Varies)

Contact Info:

• Website:Simplysoapsnsuds.com
• Instagram: Simplysoapsnsuds
• Facebook: Simply Soap N Suds
• Other: Address of my store:
  Oldsmar Flea Market
  180-Racetrack Rd  A-3 west
  Oldsmar, Florida 34677

Image Credits
Joy & Larry Hunley