Spotlight on Mommy -- Rebekah Davis of School of Wash (Handmade Bath Products)

Has your little girl began asking for more grown up bath and body products?  Then, my next Spotlight Mom this week has just the product for her.  Rebekah Davis of School of Wash, created a line of handmade bath products, after her own daughter didn't want to use baby body and hair wash anymore.  Just thinking about this, I don't don't know what I will do when my girls get to this age.  Right now, I am enjoying them staying little --even if bath time is crazy right now.  But, when the time comes, I know that I have a handmade bath product line, made my a mom, that I can trust, and know my girls will like.  How do I know this?  Well, Rebekah was kind enough to send along a couple samples of her body wash for me to try, and I absolutely loved them.  They not only smelled great, but left my skin feeling clean and sweet smelling. :-)  Hey, aren't we all kids at heart?  Who wouldn't want to smell like coconut or another fruity scent? :-)

This upcoming Friday, I will share more about my experience with Rebekah's handmade bath products, along with offering a coupon code and giveaway.  But, in the meantime, I wanted to share my Spotlight on Mom interview with her. Enjoy!


Name:   Rebekah Davis
Company Name/Product/Service:  School of Wash (Handmade Bath Products)
Company Location:  Leesburg, GA
Company Website: http://www.schoolofwash.com
Facebook URL:  http://www.facebook.com/schoolofwash
Age of Company: 3 months
Favorite Inspirational Quotes:  “All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” - Walt Disney 
Favorite Book:  Anything written by Tom Clancy

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.  

I have a 10-year old daughter, Leecy, she has been playing electric guitar since she was 7.  I spend most of my time following her to gigs, recording studios and practice.  We love to go camping and have been doing so since Leecy was 2 years old. 

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?  

My daughter, who is 10 going on 20, announced a few years ago that she would no longer use that baby shampoo with the baby on it because she was no longer a baby.  Afterwards bathing became a chore we both began to dread, because she didn’t like the products I purchased, and I didn’t like her smelling like a grown up.  I missed the Johnson’s baby soap days. 

I am a chemist, that’s my day job, so I began experimenting at home making soaps, shampoos and conditioners.  I would add scents to the experiments that were exciting to Leecy.  Soon, I had a group of products that we both liked, and because they were my own creation I could control the ingredients.  And 77 scents later, I decided it was time to take my products to market and see what other people thought of them as well.

What is a typical work day like?   

My workday consists of making products, checking email, updating websites and blogging.  My typical day begins about 7 am, I drop my daughter at school, and then I check the web and blog.  I fill orders to 2 pm.  Then check the web once again before I pick up my daughter.  I make it a point to cease all work once she comes home.  Family first.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? 

An Internet business is not an instant success.  I knew that going in.  It takes a lot of research and a lot of smart marketing.  My first goal has been to own my local market and those local successes have made the Internet journey much easier.

What did you do in your past work life?  

My family owns a chemical manufacturing company.  I was the R&D / QC Director and later, Vice President.  And once upon a time, I was a pharmaceutical rep.

What have been some of your major successes?   

The support I have received locally – spas, salons, health stores.

What have been some of your major challenges?   

Realizing how to market online.  I went after Facebook first only to find out people are willing to “Like” but not willing to make the jump to your site and buy.  That was a waste but I still feel it was a necessary waste because people want to know that others “Like” you. 

I have found the friends I made while building my site, which I built myself, have been my biggest supporters.  Networking is still essential even on the Internet.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?   

My daughter.  She is my biggest fan and my biggest advertiser.  She told all the kids at camp this past summer about the products, and encourages them to the visit the website.  She carries perfume roll-ons and lip balms with her so she can show them off.  I started the business for her.  I started a Mystery Blog for her.  She is all the motivation I need and the reason School of Wash will be a success.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?   

Regardless of what is happening within the business, family comes first.  I make it a point to maintain strict hours of business.  And once it is closing time, I do not check email, and I turn off my phone.  In a world of smartphones, it is too easy to stay in constant contact.  There is no harm in returning an email or phone call the next day.  I once read a business review that said it is important to be a little unreachable.  It shows you are busy and business is good.  So, I am a little unreachable during family time.

What is next for your business?   

I am working on a “Big Kid” line of products for teenagers and those of us that are teenagers at heart.  I will add new scents for the line that are more like perfume and some new products such as body scrub, facial cleansers and shave soap.  My daughter also wants me to add a line of bath bombs and pet care products.  We have a lot in the pipeline.

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?   

This is my second business.  I have helped run a multi-million dollar chemical company and now, my little bath store.  I can tell you there are bumps in every road but it is how you get over those bumps that define your business.  Nothing happens over night, the old adage, “If your business isn’t seven years old it never will be” isn’t necessarily true if you believe in what you are doing.  If you are waiting for the business to come to you it will never happen.  Get out and beat the streets.  Conquer your city, county and then your state.