Amanda Askew owns and operates Amanda’s Country Soaps on her family’s ranch in Clarendon, Texas. They have chickens, cows, horses, and, of course, goats. Amanda has always liked handmade soaps and decided to buy some goats and make her own. She now also makes lotions and lip balm using raw goat milk. Amanda’s advice for anyone thinking about opening their own small business is to find something you are passionate about and truly enjoy because you’re going to spend a lot of time doing it. She loves to help people find products they will love that will hydrate their skin or help with ailments such as eczema. Amanda said her consultant, Gina Woodward, has been helpful, encouraging, and motivating, and has pushed her to go farther and do more than she thought she could have ever done. Her biggest challenge has been marketing and being motivated to do the marketing, but with advice and assistance from the SBDC, she is doing a great job. She is a one-person show and sells out of certain fragrances very quickly so if you see something you like, order it fast.
