This week’s Cohort Spotlight is Sasheeny Hubbard of Hubbard Manor Soap Co. At Hubbard Manor Soap Co., every bar is more than soap — it’s a little pause in your day. A moment of comfort, creativity, and care. Because what touches your skin matters, and cleansing should feel like a simple indulgence that leaves you refreshed and renewed.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I started my own health journey in March 2025 and began paying closer attention not only to what I was putting into my body, but also to what I was putting on my skin. I made the switch from typical big-box store brands to natural soap, and eventually decided to try making my own. At first, I was simply making soap for myself, my family, and friends. Then my good friend, Kayla, encouraged me to actually sell it. I was scared, stressed, and very reluctant, but I did it anyway. What started as a desire to replace the syndet bars I was using with real soap and cleaner products for my own skin eventually grew into something I could share with other people.
What’s your background? Could you tell us how each of these disciplines emerged in your work?
My background is a little unconventional, but I think every part of it shows up in how I run my business today. I spent about 10 years in finance, working in accounts receivable, gift accounting, and as a Senior Gift Records Specialist. I later transitioned into technology and worked as a Cloud Engineer before becoming a full-time artisan soap maker and entrepreneur. I also studied accounting, operations management, and interior design in college. My experience in finance gave me a strong foundation in numbers and attention to detail, although I’ll be the first to admit I don’t tap into those skills nearly enough in my own business. Technology taught me how to problem-solve and learn quickly, while my design background heavily influences how I think about presentation, branding, and the overall customer experience.
What led you to take your work from an idea to pursuing it as a business?
My good friend Kayla, who was also my exercise partner, encouraged me to take the leap. I could dream all day, but actually putting myself in front of the public and offering something I had made with my own hands scared me.
Then I did my first market. Seeing people value something I created enough to spend their money on it and take it home with them was mind-blowing to me. That experience gave me the encouragement to keep going, and I haven’t looked back. I realized I wasn’t just making soap. I was creating something people genuinely wanted and could make a part of their everyday lives.
How did you find your brand identity?
A lot of it came through trial and error. My background in design and the way I naturally visualize things have always influenced what appeals to me: simple, beautiful, clean, and elegant. But attending markets and craft fairs taught me just as much. Over time, I started paying attention to who naturally gravitated toward my table and who I truly wanted to serve. Once I understood that more clearly, I made an intentional shift in the rooms I showed up in, the way I presented the brand, and the opportunities I pursued. My brand identity became much clearer when I stopped trying to appeal to everyone and started building around my values, aesthetic, and a customer who values wellness, intentional self-care, and thoughtfully made products.
Do you have a personal and/or professional motto or mantra that you call upon during tough times? What is it and what does it mean to you?
“Done is better than perfect.” I come back to that often because perfection can keep you from moving. I don’t need to know every detail or have everything figured out before I begin. I show up with my best, put it out there, learn, and improve as I go. When I learn a better way, I do better. That mindset has helped me keep moving instead of allowing perfectionism to become procrastination.
How do you pick back up on moving your business forward when perhaps feeling uninspired?
This is my full-time role, so I don’t always have the luxury of waiting until I feel inspired. I definitely have moments when I’m discouraged, annoyed, worried, or questioning myself. In those moments, I lean heavily on my faith. I give my worries and cares to my Lord and Savior, Jesus, and then I keep moving. I also remind myself not to compare my progress to someone else’s. I compare myself to where I was yesterday. Something else that has stayed with me is the idea that practice creates improvement. I may not get everything right the first time, but I can always learn, improve, and “better my best.” Sometimes moving forward simply means doing the next thing even when I don’t necessarily feel like doing it. I also lean on the trusted people in my circle who understand my vision and genuinely want to see me succeed. They encourage me to keep moving forward, help me pivot when needed, and sometimes offer a different perspective or another way to approach what I’m trying to accomplish.
What have you gained so far from being a part of the Accelerator cohort?
I’ve gained community, resources, encouragement, guidance, and, most importantly, a more practical framework for moving my business forward. The Accelerator has pushed me to get clearer about my customer, who my business serves, how I reach them, and what I’m actually building toward. It has also helped me move ideas out of my head and turn them into plans I can execute. I’m still learning, but I feel much more intentional about where Hubbard Manor Soap Co. is going and the decisions I’m making to get there.
