{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/659c22ccb31581001651ebcd/68071ec744a110be83441bc3?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"459: Her Plant-Based Soaps Landed Her On Shark Tank And On The Path To $1.2M In Sales","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/659c22ccb31581001651ebcd/1745296437663-e8e09c38-ae92-48b4-9689-2a934503ffdd.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>This week in the guest chair we have Kristen Dunning, founder and CEO of Gently Soap - a bathing brand built on her self-developed herbal infusions.&nbsp;</p><p>An MBA grad, Kristen hails from a rare five generations of Black Alabama farmers, and she’s continuing the legacy by bringing joy back to bathing experiences for people with sensitive skin, using the medicinal properties of plants.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode she shares:</p><ul><li>Her vigorous passion and research that landed her on Shark Tank</li><li>Her secret sauce to having a rate of 78% repeat customers</li><li>How she won over 300K in investment capital and has a trajectory of $1.2M in sales</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Highlights Include:</p><p>00:00 Intro</p><p>03:24 Generations of Black farmers</p><p>06:38 Struggle with eczema</p><p>08:45 Studying horticulture and agriculture</p><p>14:10 Staring Gently Soaps</p><p>18:03 Transitioning to selling at markets</p><p>21:31 Importance of formulating for sensitive skin</p><p>28:56 Sales growth and Shark Tank impact</p><p>32:55 High margins and sales&nbsp;</p><p>39:49 Marketing strategies</p><p>44:03 Tips for entrepreneurs&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Check out episode 459 of Side Hustle Pro podcast out now on <a href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/side-hustle-pro/id1126021323\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href=\"https://open.spotify.com/show/13qDj08lBR4ymzGhXIKy8t?si=8fcfd638a59949a4\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify</a>, and <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@SideHustlePro\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">YouTube</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Links mentioned in this episode</strong></p><ul><li>Gently Soap Website: <a href=\"https://gentlysoap.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://gentlysoap.com/</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Gently Soap Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/gentlysoap/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/gentlysoap/</a></li><li>Kristen’s Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/professionalplantgirl/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/professionalplantgirl/</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Kristen’s LinkedIn: <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendunning/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristendunning/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Shark Tank episode: <a href=\"https://gentlysoap.com/pages/shark-tank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://gentlysoap.com/pages/shark-tank</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Aveeno start-up pitch competition: <a href=\"https://www.aveeno.com/startup-collective\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.aveeno.com/startup-collective</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Thirteen Lune: <a href=\"https://thirteenlune.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://thirteenlune.com/</a>&nbsp;</li><li>Tech Stars: <a href=\"https://www.techstars.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.techstars.com/</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Click here to subscribe via RSS feed (non-iTunes feed): <a href=\"http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">http://sidehustlepro.libsyn.com/rss</a></p><p><br></p><h1>Announcements</h1><p><strong>Join our Facebook Community</strong></p><p>If you’re looking for a community of supportive side hustlers who are all working to take our businesses to the next level, join us here: <a href=\"http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">http://sidehustlepro.co/facebook</a></p>","author_name":"Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media"}