Summary

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, the hosts discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with the slow season for small businesses. They explore the emotional toll of low sales, strategies for utilizing downtime for growth, and the importance of planning ahead for busy seasons. The conversation also touches on what not to do during slow periods, lessons learned from past experiences, and creative marketing strategies to engage customers. The hosts share personal anecdotes and advice for new entrepreneurs navigating their first slow season.

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🛁 Margaret –Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie –Country Lather Soap Works

🫧 Shauna –Bawauna Bath & Body

Summary

In this episode of the Dirty Heifers podcast, host Margaret Connor and co-hosts Jessie and Shauna welcome Jeri Anne Huffstutler, the founder of Southern Natural, a goat milk soap brand. Jeri Anne shares her inspiring journey from struggling with eczema to creating a successful skincare line. The conversation covers her initial challenges, the transition from farmers markets to online sales, and the leap to selling on Amazon. Jeri Anne discusses the importance of family support, maintaining product quality while scaling, and her passion for product development. The episode concludes with a fun lightning round of preferences related to soap making and business.

Takeaways

Jeri Anne struggled with eczema for 12 years before discovering goat milk soap.

The idea to make goat milk soap came to Jeri Anne during a prayer.

Jeri Anne's brother encouraged her to sell on Amazon, leading to significant growth.

Maintaining quality while scaling is a challenge for many small businesses.

Jeri Anne enjoys experimenting with new products but finds it hard to find time.

Family and community support have been crucial to Jeri Anne's business success.

Jeri Anne's business has evolved from farmers markets to multiple Whole Foods locations.

The transition to using goat milk powder simplified the soap-making process.

Jeri Anne has four employees, many of whom are family members.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jeri Anne and Her Business

03:21 Jeri Anne's Journey with Eczema and Soap Making

05:54 The Journey Begins: A Prayer for Guidance

09:16 From Goat to Soap: The Birth of a Business

12:46 Breaking into the Market: Craft Fairs and Whole Foods

15:16 Taking the Leap: Selling on Amazon

19:52 Navigating Challenges: The Amazon Experience

24:46 Scaling Up: Maintaining Quality in Growth

31:09 Reflecting on Success: Proud Moments and Future Goals

34:33 Exploring Sales Platforms

37:34 The Role of Social Media in Business

42:37 The Journey of Building a Business

44:59 Family and Community Involvement in Business

51:51 Fun and Lighthearted Moments in Business

52:27 short moo intro:outro.mp4

New Episodes Drop Thursdays

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📍 Instagram: @thedirtyheifers

📍TikTok: @thedirtyheifers

📍 YouTube: Dirty Heifers

Check out our personal businesses:

🛁 Margaret – Warm & Fuzzy Soapery

🧼 Jessie – Country Lather Soap Works

🫧 Shauna – Bawauna Bath & Body

This week’s guest:

https://southernnaturals.com/

Summary

In this episode of Dirty Heifers, hosts Margaret and Shauna discuss the challenges of balancing family life and business. They explore the illusion of balance, the guilt associated with neglecting self-care, and the dynamics of involving family in business. The conversation highlights the importance of communication, support systems, and the humorous interruptions that come with juggling responsibilities. Ultimately, they emphasize that it's okay to admit that sometimes we don't have it all together and that self-care is essential for maintaining mental health. In this engaging conversation, the hosts discuss the challenges of balancing family life with entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-care, managing guilt, and making tough choices. They share personal anecdotes about finding time for themselves, the impact of family support, and the realities of juggling responsibilities. The discussion also touches on the significance of setting priorities and the need for grace in the face of imperfection. The episode concludes with a lighthearted game that highlights the humorous side of managing chaos in life and business.

Takeaways

Balance is often an illusion, and it's okay to admit that sometimes we don't have it all together.

Juggling family responsibilities and business can lead to burnout and feelings of guilt.

Self-care is often neglected, especially by women, but it's essential for mental health.

Family members can play a role in the business, but it can also lead to distractions.

Finding time for oneself is crucial, yet many feel guilty for taking that time.

The chaos of family life can often interrupt work, leading to humorous situations.

It's important to prioritize family events, but guilt can arise from not spending enough time on business.

The conversation highlights the importance of communication and understanding within family dynamics.

Creating boundaries between work and family life can be challenging but necessary.

The discussion emphasizes the need for support systems in balancing work and family. Self-care is essential for maintaining sanity.

Family support can significantly ease the burden of responsibilities.

It's okay to let go of certain expectations to maintain balance.

Guilt is a common feeling among parents and entrepreneurs.

Finding time for oneself is crucial for personal well-being.

Prioritizing family time over business opportunities is often necessary.

A perfect day is often unrealistic but worth envisioning.

Learning from mistakes is a vital part of entrepreneurship.

Organization can help manage chaos in both home and business.

Humor can be a great coping mechanism for stress.

New Episodes Drop Thursdays

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Stay connected with us on social media:

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📍 YouTube: Dirty Heifers