Handmade Soap Subscription: Sudsy Box Review, Interview & Coupon

This household loves handmade soap subscriptions. You can’t beat the unique scents, all-natural ingredients and knowing you are supporting small business owners. Sudsy Box is brought to us by Heidi’s Artisan Soap. Before we get to the box review, let’s take a minute to learn more about Heidi and her company.

What made you decide to start a subscription box service?

I have been a stay at home mom for about 26 years. I have three children and my youngest is off to college this fall.  I knew I would have to find a hobby or go back to work to fill my time.  I had been buying hand crafted soaps for a couple years, and last winter I thought….”why can’t I do this??”  So I’m sixth months into it and having a blast!

How did you choose your subscription niche?

One evening I was on facebook and a friend of mine was talking about how she couldn’t wait to get her Birchbox.  It was like a light went on and I am thinking…..”I have to do a subscription service with my soaps!”

How long did it take between idea and official launch?

I started Heidi’s Artisan Soap in January of this year thinking I would just make soap and other body products and hopefully everyone would love it and buy it!  Then my idea for the Sudsy Box came about in March and we launched it in April.

How do you source the products that will be included each month?

As I mentioned above, the sister company to Sudsy Box is my other company, Heidi’s Artisan Soap. I use my soaps that I make myself to fill the Sudsy Boxes.  I also use samples of of my other products that I make as a small gift in each Sudsy Box.  The samples might be a lip balm, bath salts, lotion bars, body butters, etc.

What was your biggest surprise – good or bad – with your new business? 

My biggest surprise is how awesome it makes me feel when I know people truly enjoy my products! I know it is a business and I am trying to supplement our income, but putting that aside, it is the most awesome thing to hear how much someone loves my product or to read a review that praises my company.  That is the best!

What would you change if you had to start over?

I really don’t know if I would change anything.  Everything has really seemed to fall flawlessly in place.  It’s growing at a steady rate, but it’s not overwhelming me which is really awesome because it gives me time and energy to come up with new products and ideas.  The  rate at which everything is going seems perfect to me.  Ask me in another six months and I might have a different answer, but for now I am so happy with it all!

Where do you see your business five years from now? Any changes in the works?

I always tell my husband that I want to be the “Birch” box of the subscription soap boxes! I want to be a household name when someone talks about subscription boxes.  We don’t have the capital like a lot of these huge name brand boxes to advertise, so I am so pleased that bloggers like you are so willing to help me get my name and product out there!  It’s huge and it means a lot when I see a review where someone loves my product and then I start getting customers from that review.  That is the best.  Any changes in the works….?  Well. I am always wanting to improve.  I am always creating new products along with the soap that I can add to the Sudsy Box.  So I think there will always be changes in the works. 🙂

Sudsy Box Review

I know many readers of My Beauty Box Review are conscious of ingredients. You only want the good stuff. That is exactly what you are going to get with Sudsy Box. Per the website:

OUR INGREDIENT LIST IS SIMPLE… OLIVE OIL, COCONUT OIL, SHEA BUTTER, COCOA BUTTER AND ESSENTIAL OILS.

Sounds good. And it sure smells good! Inside every Sudsy Box you will find three full-size soaps and a free gift. As with many handmade subscriptions, this is a great way to sample the season’s finest scents. My box included:

Summer Days – I love this scent! The essential oils include lime (antioxidant with antiseptic and disinfectant properties) and citronello (keep those summer bugs away). It is also infused with annatto seeds.

Lemon Delight – I love the smell of citrus, so this one also goes in my favorites pile. It is swirled with French Green Clay for drawing out impurities.

Honey Almond Oatmeal – I think we all know the calming effects of oatmeal. This bar is packed with honey, oats and almond oil. A very gentle soap offering Omega 6 and 9.Bonus Item: Uplifting Dead Sea Bath Salt – A few more of my favorite smells – eucalyptus and spearmint. This is a good size sample. It is going to make for a great foot soak!

Plant your labels! Each bar is wrapped in a biodegradable wrapper infused with wildflower seeds. Throw a little dirt on them and you will have wildflowers in 4-6 weeks. Very cool! I’m doing that.

While many of the handmade subscriptions are not ideal for the big bargain hunters (the box value was spot on with website prices but remember you are getting free shipping), they are great for the high quality samplers and those looking to support small businesses and good causes – Sudsy Box donates soap each month to Clean the World.

I’d recommend this one. It’s full-size products, handmade and high quality.

Sudsy Box Coupon

Sudsy Box runs $20 every two months. Use code “SUMMER20” for  20% off your first box. Order by June 15th to get this box!

Disclosure: I received this box for review purposes. All opinions are my own.