Expert Details

Cold Process Soapmaking: Developing Countries, Workshop Design to Product Formulation

ID: 723959 France

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Safeway UK once threw Expert the challenge of creating concepts for 30 new varieties of soap in 24 hours. These soaps were in their stores within 3 months of that conversation. As the author of 26 books, 'creative origination' is the key to everything she has achieved and she finds nothing more exciting than taking someone's basic idea and applying commercial principals, economic and environmental restraints and consumer knowledge to turn that idea into a saleable commodity. With a special interest in natural cosmetics and third world development, your idea gives her the opportunity to think outside the box and to come up with highly creative solutions for you.

Expert has advised many cold process soap manufacturers in the UK and Africa on European Cosmetic labelling requirements and she runs regular courses on this in London and in France. Having run a handmade soap manufacturing company that was audited by several UK supermarket chains it has been her business to keep abreast of and to implement all current EU labelling requirements for soap.

Over a thirty year career Expert has successfully developed and marketed new products that range from jumpers with squeakers in them for a national UK newspaper, to soap and bath product ranges for Safeway, Asda, Harrods, Atelier du Savon in Paris, The Natural Collection, The Handmade Soap Company,
African Bio Products in Tanzania and Township Trades (in South Africa)...and Nelly Furtado... This is what she does best. If you have an idea or just an ingredient or an empty box, go to her with it and she will turn it into an original, highly saleable product for you.

Expert is used to working with tight budget restraints, limitations due to difficult third world manufacturing environments, limited equipment and untrained personnel. She has implemented simple paper QC processes and business management systems that work given the above scenarios. Expert understands how to develop kitchen sink businesses into national enterprises. She took her own soap products from her kitchen in a wooden house in rural Wales to the supermarkets shelves in two years. This was achieved through tight project management, delegation, risk assessment and constant monitoring of sales and manufacturing procedures and potential markets.


Assisted several UK start-up soapmaking companies with EU legislation, product formulation, sourcing supplies and equipment, third party manufacture, distribution and sales.

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 1996 Degree: 10 years experience Subject: Soapmaking Institution: self taught

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2004 to Present Employer: Undisclosed Title: Consultant Department: Soap making
Responsibilities:
working as a consultant within the soapmaking industry and running courses
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2004 to 2004 Employer: Tim Woodley, Red Star Natural Liquid Soaps Title: Consultant Department:
Responsibilities:
Assisted in the start-up of this company helping with the business plan and introducing us to manufacturers and distributors for our products.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2003 to 2004 Employer: Dr Peter Degroot Title: Consultant Department: ICUC University of Southampton
Responsibilities:
Assisted in set up of soap factory in Tanzania. Product Design and Formulation;
Equipment Design and Manufacture, Quality Control for EU Cosmetic Regs,
Staff Training, Marketing.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2002 to 2004 Employer: Helen Burch - Safeway Title: Supplier - Consultant Department: Soap and Toiletries
Responsibilities:
Formulated and manufactured over 60 varieties of natural bar soaps which were sold through Safeway Megastores in the UK prior to their takeover by Morrisons
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1999 to 2004 Employer: The Handmade Soap Company Title: Managing Director Department: Ceredigion, Wales
Responsibilities:
Set up a soap manufacturing company in West Wales and within two years was supplying all the major supermarket chains in the UK. Sold company in 2004.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1990 to 1998 Employer: Various Title: Consultant Department: PR
Responsibilities:
Worked as a consultant PR for Wendy Wools, Yarnworks, William Briggs (Coats Crafts UK), New Stitches Magazine, Classic Stitches Magazine.

Career Accomplishments

Awards / Recognition
Best Manufacturer Ceredigion 2004
Publications and Patents Summary
Author of 26 craft related, hard backed books with worldwide distribution (over 2 million copies in print) including 2 on soapmaking. Written over 1,000 articles for women's magazines in the UK and Australia.

Fields of Expertise

consumer product design, European labeling requirement, cold process soapmaking, new product development, project management, commercialization, liquid soap, marketing brand management, natural product, new consumer product development, soap dye, dye selection, cosmetic product development, soap processing, soap manufacturing, transparent soap, translucent soap, quality evaluation, consumer product marketing, color formulation, bar soap, quality standard, new product design, personal care product, product design, cosmetic product, marketing, common soap, color additive, soap compound, soap environmental effect, skin care product, quality control, glycerol, fatty acid

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