Meet Nicolette Samson

We recently connected with Nicolette Samson and have shared our conversation below.

Nicolette, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I get my work ethic from my dad. Growing up, I watched him handle challenges with determination and resilience, even when resources were limited. He always emphasized that consistency and effort matter more than circumstances. That mindset shaped the way I approach both life and business.

From him, I learned that showing up every day, doing your best even when no one is watching, and following through on commitments are what truly build character. His example gave me the drive to keep pushing forward, whether I’m navigating setbacks, learning new skills, or building my own business from the ground up.

My dad instilled in me the belief that hard work is not just about reaching goals. It’s about honoring the values you carry into the work. That’s what keeps me motivated and disciplined today.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Nicolette, the founder of Soaphee, a handmade soap and skincare brand I created after a 15-year career as a chemist. My background is in laboratory science, where every detail mattered. From method validation to strict quality standards. When I moved into soapmaking, I carried that mindset with me. For me, it wasn’t about making pretty bars for fun; it was about applying real chemistry to create products that are stable, effective, and consistent batch after batch.

Soaphee focuses on cold-process soaps and simple plant-based skincare. I deliberately keep my ingredient lists short, not to cut corners, but because I believe fewer, well-chosen ingredients often perform better than overloaded formulas. Customers usually notice right away that the textures feel cleaner, the scents more natural, and the bars last longer.

Recently, I’ve been expanding beyond soaps with the launch of my Balancing Glow Oil and Nourish Balm. These were born out of the same principle: straightforward, functional skincare backed by chemistry, but still approachable and enjoyable to use.

My bigger goal with Soaphee is to shift how people see handmade products. They’re not just weekend crafts, they can hold their own against commercial brands when they’re made with rigor, intention, and respect for both science and tradition.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my journey the most are:

1. Educating yourself. When I transitioned from chemistry labs to soapmaking, I had to bridge my scientific knowledge with the world of skincare and small business. Taking the time to learn, from formulation basics to packaging compliance, gave me the confidence to create products I could stand behind. My advice: don’t just rely on what you already know. Read, research, and seek out credible resources so your foundation stays strong.

2. Not being afraid of challenges. Starting a brand from scratch meant constant problem-solving, from reformulating batches that didn’t turn out right, to figuring out how to ship products safely in the Vegas heat. Challenges will come no matter what, but they’re opportunities to refine your process and grow. If you face them head-on instead of avoiding them, you’ll move forward faster.

3. Persistence. Growth takes time. There were moments when sales were slow or when I doubted if people would see the value in what I was building. What kept me going was showing up consistently. Making, testing, improving, and putting myself out there. For anyone starting out: don’t expect overnight success. Stick with it, and let persistence be the thing that separates you from the rest.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is finding and connecting with the people who are truly seeking better, natural skincare. There are so many products on the market, and while “natural” has become a buzzword, not all products are genuinely safe or thoughtfully formulated. My challenge is reaching the audience that values transparency, simplicity, and quality over hype.

To overcome this, I’m focusing on education and storytelling, sharing my background as a chemist, the science behind my formulations, and why I choose every single ingredient with care. I’m also being intentional about where I show up, whether it’s through local markets, partnerships with like-minded retailers, or building community online. My goal is not just to sell skincare but to connect with people who believe in the same philosophy: that what we put on our skin should be as trustworthy and nourishing as what we put in our bodies.

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