Finding Purpose in Handmade Soap: Meet Miche Scott

Miche Scott was craving a creative outlet when she discovered the magic of handmade soap. In her interview, the artisan revealed how she turned a creative spark into her side hustle.

How did you become interested in making soap?

It all started in Dubai. I remember driving home from work one evening, sighing under my breath and feeling like there had to be more to life than this routine. I craved something creative, but living in a small loft studio meant space was limited. I considered painting, pottery and jewelry-making, and even took a few classes, but nothing truly clicked.

That changed the day I bought my first bar of handmade soap from a local artisan. I was blown away. I didn’t even realize that soap could be made by hand, let alone turned into something so beautiful and unique. That discovery sparked something in me. I signed up for a class with the artisan, who, luckily, also taught. She was incredibly generous with her knowledge, and from that moment, I was hooked.

When did you realize that you could turn your artwork or creative product into a business?

It took me seven years to finally turn my passion into a business. Early on, I realized that building a business requires a very different mindset. It’s not just about creating from the heart; your numbers matter too. Many people encouraged me to start sooner, but I knew deep down that I wasn’t ready. I was afraid of turning something I loved into a chore.

In the meantime, I found joy in teaching soap-making wherever life took me — in India, Malaysia and beyond. Sharing the craft kept me connected to my passion without the pressure of running a business. It was only after moving to the U.S. that I felt the timing was right and began seriously considering how to turn my passion project into something bigger.

How do you define success for your business?

For me, success is when my business brings me peace while remaining financially sustainable. I never dreamed of being “big.” I dreamed of being purposeful. I wanted to create something that invites people to pause, enjoy and take care of themselves without guilt. I define success when people genuinely resonate with the value my handmade soap brings to their daily lives.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I find inspiration in many places — people, books and especially in noticing the extraordinary within the ordinary. Moments like sunlight spilling across a corner of my bedroom, flowers slowly unfolding or an unexpected frame seen through a different lens all spark ideas. I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by artists in my community. Their different mediums and creative approaches constantly inspire me and open new avenues for my own work.

What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you first started your business?

Know your numbers and know your point of view. Starting a business has a way of revealing who you are, both as an entrepreneur and as a person. My advice would be to enjoy the process, learn from yesterday’s lessons and, above all, just start.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start selling their art or creative product?

Accept that you are not for everyone — and that’s OK. Even your family might not be your target market, and you shouldn’t take it personally. Instead, let that drive you to find the people who truly connect with and appreciate your work. Often, your biggest supporters will be strangers who believe in you and cheer you on.

What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

Something that might surprise people is that I still maintain a 9-to-5 job. I enjoy balancing both worlds — the intellectual stimulation of the corporate space and the creativity and connection that come with running a small business.

As creatives, we can continuously create and refine our art. How do you handle perfectionism?

One of the beautiful lessons handmade soap has taught me is to let go of perfectionism. The process invites you to embrace the perfectly imperfect — to see value not just in appearances but in purpose and uniqueness. For me, refining my craft feels like a river: you let it pass, let it take shape and allow it to move naturally.

What’s something that surprised you about running a creative business?

What surprised me most about running a creative business is how much supply chain and logistics impact the customer journey and how much effort it takes just to drive traffic to your own website. I also learned that struggling with these aspects doesn’t make you a failure — there are entire departments and systems in place in larger companies to handle exactly these tasks.

What’s your advice for handling the highs and lows of running a business?

My advice is to remember that both highs and lows will pass. All you can do is learn from them, strive to do better and, most importantly, never let them dim your spark.

Has someone ever criticized your work? How did you handle it?

Yes. I accept criticism with grace and thank people for their honesty. I try to ask questions out of genuine curiosity because sometimes there’s a perspective I hadn’t considered before.

What’s a cause you are passionate about?

A cause that resonates with me is Skateistan, a nonprofit that empowers children through skateboarding and education. I’m not personally affiliated, but my family supports them as a whole. I relate to their mission because, like handmade soap, their work is about creativity, self-expression and nurturing growth — helping people discover joy and confidence in their own unique way.

Can you share the name of a supplier or vendor that you use for your business that you just love — one that makes running your business a bit easier?

One vendor I absolutely love is Rainforest Chica. They’re a fantastic source for clays, and I also really admire how engaged she is with her community. Working with her makes running my business a little easier — and more inspiring.

What brings you joy?

What brings me joy is creating handmade soap and seeing it bring little moments of delight to people’s daily lives. Outside of that, my dog, Bagel, also brings me immense joy — truly an embodiment of unconditional love.

Thanks, Miche! You can learn more about her work at www.michescotthandmade.com.

Editor’s note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.