Soap entrepreneur Samantha Jameson
IN 2010, Samantha Jameson, 43, founded handcrafted soap company Soapsmith. She lives with her partner and four-yearold daughter.
I’VE always been entrepreneurial. I started an events company aged 24, working with Arsenal football club, French Connection and BP.
I went on to design and produce a mini chocolate fountain machine, which won a Good Housekeeping Award. My stock was purchased by Thorntons chocolatiers and I used the proceeds to turn my passion, soap making, into a business.
I’ve always been crafty, and had been making soaps at home for 15 years. I loved the old artisan technique of doing things slowly and methodically — the opposite of soulless mass manufacturing. People were always hassling my mum for samples, so I felt I could make a go of it.
I did a three-month course in making commercial soap, bath and body products. It took me two years to develop my items, with the support of the Fragrance House, which manufactures highend scents for fashion houses. The soaps are made using the traditional cold process method. I’m passionate about natural organic ingredients — my favourites are dead sea salts, mango butter and shea butter. All our products are vegan.
The first scent I made was called Lavender Hill, after the area in South-West London known for growing and distilling lavender essential oil in the 18th century.
Scent has an uncanny way of resurrecting memories. Brick Lane, the second scent I developed, with amber and sandalwood, was inspired by happy times dancing and having a curry.
Within a year my products were selling in Harrods and became the store’s top three best-selling bath and body products. I pawned my wedding and engagement rings to buy equipment and rent the right workspace — buying them back 14 months later with the profits. Instead of receiving Christmas and birthday presents, I asked for monetary contributions to purchase trademarks for product names.
But it was worth it. Creating soap is an escape for me.
I get pleasure from it. If I can profit from that pursuit, it’s a dream come true.