[John Petrella]: Hello, everyone, and welcome to Medford Happenings, a show for and about the city of Medford. I am John Petrello. And the purpose of this program is to give Medford citizens facts and information to help you make informed choices. And our guest today is Michelle Corrado, who is the owner artisan of the Medford Soap Company, Welcome, Michelle, and thank you for joining us today. I want you to know up front, I am a big fan of your soap. I'm a customer, and my favorite is lemongrass. I just want everyone to know that before we even get started. But welcome to the show. Thank you, John. I really appreciate and appreciate the opportunity for the conversation. Yeah, it's a pleasure to have you. So we're going to get right into it, Michelle. First of all, I guess, can you just give us, give our audience a little background about yourself? Sure.
[SPEAKER_00]: So I like to tell people, you know, I'm born, bred and never left Medford. So I was actually born at Lawrence Memorial Hospital many years ago and graduated Medford High School, class of 86. I kept it super local and even got my bachelor's at Tufts University in biology. Then I did go to Mass College of Pharmacy in Boston. So I'm a pharmacist by trade. I've been a practicing pharmacist for over 30 years now. And I'm married, been married for a long time. Something years, almost 30 years. And I have two grown sons, as well as a stepson and some grandbabies through that stepson. So that's kind of the Reader's Digest version of me.
[John Petrella]: Sounds good. Interesting. All right. So the next question is, you know, what got you started in the soap business? And, you know, how did Method Soap Company come about?
[SPEAKER_00]: Sure. So a lot of people assume that it was a COVID thing because a lot of people got into like soap making and sourdough bread during the pandemic. But for me, it was just after that. So my youngest is, you know, what they call a COVID kid. He graduated high school in 2020. So it was a virtual, you know, it was essentially a nonexistent graduation and then spent his freshman year in college at home and then was able to launch. So after he launched, I really, you know, I'm fortunate that I get to work. I still work full time in pharmacy administration, but I work remote. So very fortunate for that. But then, you know, at 4, 435 o'clock, my commute 30 seconds down the hall, then, you know, I was spending, you know, like three hours a night on Candy Crush. And I'm like, well, I can't do this for the next 30 years. So I kind of fell down a TikTok rabbit hole one day. You know, if you linger a little too long on any video, then your feed is full of it. And I just lingered a little too long, I guess, on a soap making video. And that was in December of 2022. And in January of 2023, I filed my business papers with the city of Medford.
[John Petrella]: Wow. That's amazing. So that's how it came about. Very interesting story. Thank you. All right. So you get yourself started, Method Soap Company. What were your biggest challenges? And what challenges does your business still face and do you see overcoming? Sure.
[SPEAKER_00]: So one of the biggest challenges is probably me. I'm a very type A Leo, and I'm a very just like, go for it, let's do it, let's see what happens, and just course correct where we need to. So I tend to jump in with both feet, which is great, like that's where my adrenaline rush is, but that's, you know, where I can burn out or, you know, have to find a little bit more balance. So I say that kind of tongue in cheek, but, you know, my business, I don't think could have grown as quickly if I kind of wasn't that type of personality. I used to run, do distance running and train for that. And I think that has been very helpful because for any runner, like, yes, there's the physicality, which I do not have. I'm not a naturally gifted runner. but really it's the mental training that you need with distance running to keep your body just going for that many hours when it doesn't want to, when it's in pain, when it's hungry. And so that mentality has really helped me. Like I said, I work full time during the day and then I have to grow my business at night when I'm tired, when I'm cranky, when I'm hungry. So I think that's one of kind of the challenges that any small business owner has often, you're a company of one. And that means you are the creator, the label designer, the printer, the shipper, the receiver, the accountant, the lawyer, you know, you have to wear all those hats while you're trying to grow a business. So I think that's just kind of like a natural challenge of small business that I certainly, you know, have gone through in terms of like external factors for small business. I think it's just really hard, right? It's a really, I probably got into this in the worst time in terms of the economy and the political environment and just, you know, what people are dealing with in terms of finances and really, you know, prioritizing what they need to prioritize what they spend money on. So I figure if I can make it through this period, that's probably good. And I'd say one more external factor I'd throw in there, you know, there's no shade on my city, but it's really hard to establish a small business in Medford right now, if you wanted to do like a brick and mortar location. Spaces essentially non-existent and what is existing is extremely expensive and I think That's why some of our city is frustrated now because you see, you know, large corporate banks and driving schools and things like that filling up retail space because it's just really hard to get into.
[John Petrella]: Right? No, it is. I mean, that was a great answer, by the way. Honest answer. That was nice. I like that. So now, if someone was looking to open a local small business, after hearing you, they know it's going to be a little tough, but is there any advice, I mean, seriously, like advice that you could offer people? There's a lot of people out there that they would love to, but there's a lot of challenges.
[SPEAKER_00]: So I think it's doable, right? I think you just have to have the right expectations. And I, what I like to tell people is you need to figure out what this is for you. You know, for me, I am, you know, I'm getting a little burned out of, of pharmacy and healthcare. It's, it's a tough field to be in. I've been in it for a long time. I've made a lot of positive contributions, but I'm just at that point in my life of, you know, so what else? So for me, this is creating, you know, as I'm thinking of exiting pharmacy and entering another business phase, I need to, the math needs to math, right? So that's what it is for me. For some other people, it's to help their kids through college or to be able to afford that, you know, extraordinary vacation once a year, or it's to help, you know, bridge a gap in bills. So I think you need to know what your goal is and then set it from there, because otherwise you could set yourself up for failure. Yeah, and that happens. Unfortunately, it happens. Right, right. And I think, you know, finding a community, you know, so there's lots of resources on social media and the web, like, I think you need to do your homework. I think you need to find out what you're getting into. Should I have done a little bit more homework? Probably, but again, that's just, that's not me. You know, it's getting figured out. But if somebody is really passionate about something, then I say dip your toe in. There's a lot of kind of no risk, low risk entry points that I think a small business can have. For me, the Medford Farmer's Market has been a great proving ground. 4 Good Vibes, another Medford-based business, has been an extraordinary partner for me. They have a ton of artisans that they work with, and they have several different locations. There's lots of different craft fairs that people can enter. So I think it's fine, you know, just experiment. That's what I've said to some other, you know, other small businesses have reached out to me and kind of had the same question. I'm like, just try it. Just see what the reaction is. See what the customers are looking for. See how people react to your products and go from there.
[John Petrella]: You've really done a tremendous job, I can say that. And I know you're a hard worker, because every time I go somewhere, you're there somewhere. I'm there. Yeah, no, you are. It's like wherever you go, you're going to find Method Soap. So this is sort of like a three-part question. I think you probably answered a little bit with the last question. But what have you been doing? you know, once you get to a certain point in a business, what do you do to remain successful? Is there a point you reach and, you know?
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, so I don't think I've reached that yet. And I wouldn't, I mean, I think I'm successful for the goals that I've set for myself for like year one and year two, right? I feel as though I'm on a good trajectory. I think you have to be very resilient. You can't, you have to be business minded. So I do find for some of, again, I think this gets back to making sure you're aligned with your own goals. If you need to replace an income, then you need to work your business like you're replacing an income. So you need to know what your expenses are. You need to know what your profit margins are. You need to know how much Venmo is taking from you versus PayPal versus the credit card company. You need to close your books at the end of the month. You need to have a tax account. You need to operate like a business if that's what you want to do. I think I kind of lost track of what the question was.
[John Petrella]: No, but you answered it. What do you do to remain? You get to a certain point.
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to be resilient and pivot, right? So if something's not working, even if you're like, there have been things, and you can ask the folks that kind of work alongside me, there have been some products that I thought were like, oh my god, people are going to eat this up. This is so cool. And I sold like one or two. And I had to take it out of my line. And it killed me. I'm like, are you kidding me? This is so cool. but if it's not what people want, then it's not what people want. And so you need to be able to pivot.
[John Petrella]: Yeah. No, I understand. Yeah. I, you know, a lot of, and that's a great answer because a lot of people, I know people that have gone into business, the sales were way better than they could ever imagine. However, after a year or two, they're not making any money. It's, it's, you know, The money's rolling in, but between everything else, so it's difficult. You got to be careful. So what do you believe sets you apart, I mean, from your competition? Who do you consider your competition?
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, that's a great question. I tell people, and it's laughable, I know, but I tell people my competition is like Bath and Body Works, Yankee Candle, kind of like those big corporations. I don't consider my competition to be the fellow soap vendor that's four tenths down for me. Because to me, if you are making, so I make a lot of products, but if we just go back to my starting point, which was soap, If you are making truly natural soap, which means you're making from scratch, you are mixing oil and lye and making soap, That is soap. What is on the market really are detergents. And so I spend a lot of time just like educating folks of what the difference is. Your question, like why should I buy your soap? You know, my soap is $7 a bar. It needs to be $7 a bar. Because if you look at the price that has happened in the world marketplace on olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, like these are butters and oils. they're not the detergent chemicals that you can manufacture in a plant, you know, at drum size and just poured in on pennies on the pound. And once people, once you go through that with them, and they realize it and you get them to try it and they feel the difference. They see there's no soap scum in their tub anymore. They see their skin isn't flaking off anymore. You know, like that's the difference. So I think that's my competition is just to like going back to natural. We're very eco-conscious. We're very low waste, reuse, reduce, recycle. We're vegan based so you know that resonates with some people and so for the people that that resonates with and is important to them, I think, though, those are my people.
[John Petrella]: Yeah, no, I, I'm one of those people because You know, I don't even remember the first time I bought your salt, but once I bought it, I was hooked because you're right. Everything you just said about it is true. It's an amazing product. That's the way I feel anyhow. No, it is. I mean, you know, there is no flaking. There is nothing left in the tub or the whatever. It's like, wow. Once you use it, you really see, you know, the difference and it's worth it. I mean, I think I know what sets you apart and, you know, it'd be nice to let the audience know what sets you apart. So, you know, once again, your main competition then, it's not, I mean, it's basically the Bed Bath and Body, those types of operations.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, because again, you know, and again, I don't mean to throw shade on corporations, like they have to make a dollar and they, you know, they have very loyal followings. And, you know, there are people who are addicted to their sense and products and, you know, everybody has to find what works for them. Um, I just encourage people to read. We really just have to read a label. If you compare, you know, a label of my body butter versus a more commercial one or my soap versus a commercial one. you know, you understand what's in there, you know what's in there. And so that's for me where it's at. You know, I think most of Medford by now knows, you know, I'm a breast cancer survivor. And once you go through that type of journey too, you're always, you know, everybody thinks they're healthy, they're doing natural things, but when you go through something like that, you've got a little bit more eye to, all right, what can I do to reduce kind of my chemical exposure or, clean my body from the inside and the outside as much as I can, too. So that's part of my story, too.
[John Petrella]: It's a great story. So now, I have to ask you this. If you could go back and change anything, building the business, if you had to start over, is there anything that you'd do differently? Looking back, tough question.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, I mean, it's a hard question, right? Because that would be like a question you could ask in life, right? If there's anything you could change in your 20s, would you do it differently? And it's so hard to answer because everything that happens to us or that is defined by the universe puts you on the path you're supposed to be, right? So had I not started the way I had, I might not be where I am now. If I kind of take a, kind of a comfort zone. It would be great if I could have just walked into this beautiful, like 5,000 square foot space that had manufacturing capability and a storefront and all that, right? Like you just kind of walked in, but I literally started in my kitchen and then like stole a quarter of the basement, then stole a third of the basement, then stole half of the basement, then refinished half the basement. Then, you know, so like you're constantly rejiggering. But I think that's just, I think that's true of a lot of small businesses. What I see in the forums that I'm in and everything, like people are starting in the spaces and with the means that they have at the time. And then as business grows, then they kind of grow that.
[John Petrella]: Okay. So you answered a bunch of questions that I have for you, but that's great. But I have to ask, you did answer it somewhat, you know, What is it that makes your product, you know, different from similar products? You know, people go in a store, there's, you know, 20 bars of soap, and there's method soap. What separates you?
[SPEAKER_00]: So I think if you're looking like on the shelf, like if it's a, just a cold, like, let me compare these three soaps on the shelf. I think again, I go back to my ingredient list that it's clean, it's vegans focused. You know, we are low waste in our packaging. We reuse everything. And we give back to our community. So we have a fundraising program and, you know, we do several different fundraisers throughout the year and all that kind of stuff.
[John Petrella]: Right.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think if you're if it was a more kind of warm environment where I'm there, right, I'm presenting my product, something that I often counsel other Versioning small business owners is kind of like what you point to like why should they if there are four of you whatever it is you're making and whatever is side by side. If this for you similar businesses next to each other, why should they buy from you and a lot of times it's the person. So there's a connection, right? You have to make a connection with the company's purpose, with the owner or the artisan, and want to support them. Yes, they have to have great products. They're not gonna buy crappy products just because they like you, or they might buy it once, but they're not gonna come back. But I think you also have to be part of the community, whatever that means, whether it's the community of the farmer's market, the community of the town, the community of the soap makers, community of fellow artisans, you have to be someone who can run in those circles. And that's not for everybody either. Sometimes people get into small business because they're extremely introverted. I call myself an extroverted introvert, right? So while my comfort zone may be to be in my basement making soap, I also love going out to markets and talking with people and talking about my products. And so I think those connections help as well.
[John Petrella]: That's a good thing. It really is. I got to ask, what are your top sellers? And aside from seals, what makes them a top seller?
[SPEAKER_00]: Sure. So, you know, obviously all my products have to do with colors and smells and textures. And so it's really finding kind of at least those big bucket niches where people are now. I know it through shade on like Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works before, but they've actually, you know, institutionalized some scent profiles, you know, that people like and that they kind of gravitate towards. So my top selling soap is something people make fun of me for the name, but it's called Man O' Man. And it's just a really nice cologne soap scent that both men and women like. And that has been the top selling soap since we opened the store. almost three years ago. So soap is my staple, but we've got a few dozen other products off of that. Right now, this season, whipped body butter is a big seller for us. Again, we have a lot of people who are looking to reduce their plastic footprint. So we do a lot of solid forms, like we have solid shampoo bars, solid conditioner, solid dish soap. We've got like natural deodorants. We've got a men's line. We just started wickless candles, which are really nice because you don't have to worry about the flame or whatever. So we try to I will only do things that fit with our mission. So a lot of people have asked me for like liquid hand soap, and I won't do it. It's mostly water and mostly plastic. And I'm like, a bar of soap is better and lasts longer. So we do things that align with our mission that our customers are also looking for.
[John Petrella]: And I do, I have to say, your soap does last longer. No, it really does. It does. It lasts longer. I know that for sure it lasts longer. Um, and I did try that, uh, that brand you just mentioned. I liked it. I did. I liked it a lot, but lemongrass is always going to be there. Um, all right. So, you know, you mentioned all these different flavors, aromas, scents. Um, you know, I, I'm curious, how do you choose? I mean, uh, you know, you're making your soap. I mean, it's gotta be,
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm interested to know, how do you come up with like... I get that question a lot, especially if you come to a farmer's market. I have about, probably about five dozen different scents and designs of soaps. And that's what somebody says, like, how do you choose? And it's just really as the creative muse hits me. I tell people all the time that this is the creative outlet that I didn't even know I needed. And so it's really it starts with a sense that I think, you know, may resonate with people or resonates with me and I try it or it's sense that people have asked for or sent profiles. And I really just take it from there. you know, there's kind of groupings, right? There's the food sense, there's the floral sense, there's the cologne sense. I try to not overwhelm people with too many choices, but they are the ones who are asking for all the choices. And so I just have fun. And again, it comes down to, you know, like Rose. Rose was a top seller. It was neck and neck with Man O' Man when I opened the store. The last time I sold a Rose bar, right? So some things have their seasons. Your lemongrass was a blockbuster. And then like the past six months kind of petered off and now it's picking up again right so I fall if something falls off then as much as I liked it or loved it like it gets shelved and maybe I'll try to bring it out again in a year or something but You know, it's really what the demand, I follow what the demand is.
[John Petrella]: Yeah, well, if you're ever gonna start making lemongrass, you're gonna let me know ahead of time, right? Definitely. I'll have to stock up, that's all I'm saying, because it is, it's really good. Now, I hope your lemongrass sales go up. Yes, it's safer now. Yeah, no, it really is. My favorite. So that's, I mean, so, you know, here's a question I probably shouldn't ask, but I just, I wanna mention this. Some sense, I mean, you know, I know you base it on, you know, customers, you try different sense, you have some that work great, some are so-so, but have you ever had some that just don't make it?
[SPEAKER_00]: Yep. So I have one I thought was pretty cool. I called it Kiwi Grove. It really smelled like fresh kiwis. I cannot give those bars away.
[John Petrella]: Really?
[SPEAKER_00]: It's just something that, you know, so I tell people what's still so like, maybe it's not your favorite, you know, like I'll discount them or I'll throw them in as free, you know, I'll run promotions where it will be, you know, buy so much, you get a free bar of soap. So I've had a couple, I've been very fortunate that I think that one and maybe one other one have been real stinkers for me. But that's out of, like I said, nearly 100 different offerings that I've had. So I'd say all in all, I've got a pretty good track record.
[John Petrella]: No, it is. I know that. And I just like something like, when you mentioned Kiwi, to me, I would probably buy that. I got to be honest. I didn't even know you had that flavor. It's hard to keep up with all of them.
[SPEAKER_00]: Yes. Yeah, I know it is.
[John Petrella]: You're right. You're right. Okay. So, you know, It's been very, very interesting listening to you. And as you know, I've been waiting for a while to get you on the show because it's just, it's really interesting how things go on and, you know, how you started Medford Soap, how you got to where you go. So, you know, this is gonna be the last question. I think we've covered just about everything. um so you know to me this is the last it's probably the most important uh question for you and that is how do people buy your products um you know where is it available and how do people order sure so my website is www.medfordsoap.com so that's available 24 7 365
[SPEAKER_00]: has a pretty good search function and we do rewards. So the more you order online, you earn points that you can use for discounts off your purchases or free shipping. We do offer free, I'm sorry, flat rate shipping at $6.95 or free shipping for $75 and over. I also do do free pickup. And I will bring it like if you're going, well, tomorrow's the last Medford farmers market. I'm not sure when this will air. Thursday, October 16th is the last farmers market. But, you know, can bring products to farmers markets. If you follow me on social media, I am most active on Facebook. I always post where I'm going to pop up. As you know, John, I pop up to different places.
[John Petrella]: Everywhere, yeah.
[SPEAKER_00]: So, because part of the fun is coming and shopping, you know, and smelling it and trying them in person. The 4 Good Vibes location on Main Street in South Medford, I have a selection of my products there as well. Oh, in South Medford, okay. Exactly, so. always have it there. And I should have given a shout out to, I do want to give a little plug too to the Medford Chamber of Commerce because they are doing a lot of work to try to assist what, you know, I kind of fall into the micro business category. So I am a member of the chamber. They do offer a discounted first year. I know that the fee, the annual fee can seem like a little steep to the small businesses who don't have a lot of disposable income. But I think, again, that's a way, especially for the first year where it's discounted, you need to make connections within the city. And I think that's a great way to do it. It allows you to participate in Oktoberfest, which I think, again, is another great way to showcase as well as all of the other great events that they have. So I just want to mention that, like you said, advice for other small businesses in Minford, I think that would be a great one too.
[John Petrella]: Good advice. We plan on having them in a future show. I think we have the Rotary Club coming up. And yeah, we're going to be doing a lot of that type shows in the very near future. So I just want to thank you again, Michelle. You know, it's been a pleasure to have you on. Very informative show. And congratulations. And, you know, we wish you, you're a hard worker. You got a great product. And I know you're going to have continued success. So thanks for being on the show.
[SPEAKER_00]: No, I really appreciate, John. I appreciate the opportunity. I appreciate the opportunity to use this forum as a way to thank the community as well. You know, one of the hardest things to a small business is coming up with the name of the business. And I thought long and hard about it and was thinking about names that resonated with me. and knew that one of the pieces of the mission of the company I knew was to give back to the community. And so that's how I landed on Medford Soap Company, because I wanted the community to sense some pride from it as well. So just want to thank the community that has really come out in spades to help us have a great launch, and I hope we have many more years of success.
[John Petrella]: So thank you very much.
[SPEAKER_00]: I think you will.
[John Petrella]: Once again, congratulations. Thank you. Take care. OK, thanks, Michelle. Well, it's that time again. I wanna thank Michelle Corrado first for joining us on Method Happenings and much continued success with Method Soap. I wanna thank everyone who has been watching the show and I wanna thank you for your feedback. I also wanna let you know you could see replays of this show on Method Community Media, Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6 p.m. or 7 p.m. and on our really, really great website, methodhappenings.com. And you can also email us with any questions, comments at methodhappenings02155 at gmail.com. I'm gonna give you that again. Any questions, comments, concerns, you wanna come on the show, email us at methodhappenings02155 at gmail.com. You can also find us on YouTube, methodhappenings.com, on Facebook at Method Happenings. For the Method Happenings team, Paul, Marco, Bruce, and I'm John Petrolla. And remember, stay informed and thank you everyone.