Meet Monique Tolbert: Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monique Tolbert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monique, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I first started buying all natural or hand made soaps in every places that I had visited. Then I would find places online that would sell all natural soaps and order from them. Eventually I begin to order for other people as well. I thought to myself if I am putting in so much effort in buying these soaps from others, I should learn how to make them myself and start my own business.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For my business some of the challenges is getting people to trust the soaps that I make will not irritate their skin. One way that I continue to overcome that challenge is to give samples of the soaps that I make. I also took classes to learn about the different additives that is used to make soap and which ones are the best and do not dry out your skin. Whenever I go out of town, I always find a soap store and I take the time out to talk with the employees about their soaps and which ones they sale the most. I also take the time to read the labels on their soap packaging then research the ingredients to find out what are the benefits for the skin. Lessons that I have learned is that people will be skeptical and some will not purchase my soap, don’t let that discourage you. If you believe in what you do, don’t let skepticism, low sales, or negativity stop you in doing what you desire doe your business.

I want the world to know that I have thought about and researched what goes into my soaps to make sure that they are natural or vegan and that they will not harm your skin. I am a person that has very sensitive skin, I try all my soaps first , oils, and body butters and if it irritates my skin I will not sale it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to all the attractions such as the Aquarium, the zoo, to shopping outlets, the Civil Rights Museum., and the World of Coke. I would make sure that we visit local restaurants. I think the most fun and exciting and interesting places would be everything that I have mentioned as well as places that we could go to make things with our hands or gem digging.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First like to thank God for giving me the wisdom and knowledge on what I should do before starting this business, to my Husband who believed that I could do this and investing, To everyone that has encouraged me especially Stacy Walker Williams.