Dutch Dragonfly

It wasn't too terribly long ago that I was losing hope on life, and not sure what I was going to do. My daughter lost her battle with depression and mental illness three years ago, and I was really struggling to find meaning in a life without her. To be honest, I wasn't doing a really good job of it.

This is my youngest daughter, my biggest cheerleader, and the one person in the world that I would have done anything for. She would bath 5 times a day, and always loved looking at pretty soaps. When she left us, my heart shattered into millions of pieces. I tried to be positive and strong for everyone around me but the weight of that became almost too heavy to hold. Then I found something that gave me purpose!

Soap, or rather making soap, became something that brought me joy, helped me to relax, and caused me to feel connected to the one person I was missing the most. I have tried multiple other businesses in the past, and never really became successful with any of them. I didn't expect this to be any different, but I decided to give it a try anyway. The thought was, even if I don't see any real success with selling soap, I will at least be connected to her while I am making it.

I joined a coaching group for entrepreneurs and learned valuable sales and marketing techniques to give the business it's best chance at success. This also taught me my own value as a business owner, something I had never considered. In this group, I met like minded people. People who had their own businesses either planned, starting up, or just looking to give their business a boost. Through this coaching group, I learned my own value, not just that of my business.

My passion, for the skill of soap making, started to shine whenever I spoke to someone about what I do. I became comfortable giving my business a voice when I was talking to both people I know, and people I don't. I started to speak to others as if I was already highly successful, and that my soaps were something they wanted in their homes. Asking for a sale became something that I was actually comfortable with, instead of being something that I would shy away from. I soon learned that there were people out there who were interested in what I had to say, and treated me like I was the expert where handmade soap was concerned. I feel there is much more that I need to learn in this craft. Having said that, I will admit it feels pretty awesome when friends and family come to me with questions they might have about soaps and detergents.

It wasn't very long before people started buying my soaps. Then the one thing that had never happened for me in the past, I had someone come to me asking me if they could invest in my business! This was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me in any business venture I'd ever tried. It meant that someone actually believed in what I was doing. They believed that what I had was something worth investing in! Then a second person came to me and asked if they could help me with my business. I started to notice that there were people around me, cheering me on, willing to help out in any way they could, to see me successful in this venture!

The next goals for Dutch Dragonfly is to start hosting beginners workshops for children, and to have a membership program. Someone once said that if you want to continue to learn, you need to teach what you’ve already been taught.

The workshops will be hosted both in person, and virtually. The parent or caregiver would sign their children up and, if virtual, I would send out the supplies that will be necessary for the workshop beforehand. If the workshop is in person, I will have the supplies with me and be able to provide them as I teach the children. I will also have intermediate and advanced workshops for older children and young adults.

The membership program I want to have would include sending out supplies, to those who have signed up for a membership, once a month. A date will be chosen, once supplies are shipped out to our membership, where would meet virtually and make soap together as a group. I think the membership program is the most exciting part of the future plans for Dutch Dragonfly. As a mom, the most satisfying part of watching my children grow up into wonderful adults, is seeing them learn a new skill and fall in love with it. It is even better if I was the one to teach them that skill. I see this membership program as being the same kind of thing!

Thank you for taking time to read my story, and get to know the heart of the business that I am so passionate about.