US Conference 2025
Topics
The HSCG chooses speakers and topics to cater to most business levels and individual skills. You'll learn about business techniques, regulations, formulation-all the things you need to make the most out of your conference experience!
Topics
Adventures in Swirling
Maker Track Intensive Seminar
Presented by: Catherine McGinnis, Jackie Thompson
Up your swirling savvy as Cathy McGinnis-Sizemore teaches you 6 sure to impress swirls while Jackie Thompson teaches you how to formulate your soap for the best swirling results while maintaining the quality and integrity of the soap. During this presentation you will take these swirl techniques and soap formulas for a test drive as you make a loaf of soap using one of the formulas and swirling techniques taught in the class! Along with PowerPoint and Video presentations, participants will come away with physical handouts of what is covered in class along with access to the videos demonstrating the various swirl techniques and of course the soap made in class.
Art of Aroma: Candle Making & Fragrance Blending
Maker Track Intensive Seminar
Presented by: Kevin Reed
This is a hands-on candle making workshop with an emphasis on fragrance blending. The seminar is designed for both beginner and experienced crafters. It includes an overview of candle making in small batches, with an emphasis on understanding and blending fragrance oils. There will be in-depth discussion about fragrance components and categories, the fragrance wheel, how to calculate percentages in the finished product, and the impact of fragrance oil on the burn profile of candles. There will be open conversation and feedback as we hand around blotter strips and create our own fragrance concepts using a variety of single-note fragrance oils. Attendees will then be able to make candles using the fragrance blends they create. Each attendee will take home a wealth of candle and fragrance knowledge, along with truly unique candles of their own creation.
Bath Bomb Revolution: A New Approach to Bath Bombs
Maker Track
Presented by: Robyn French Smith
The time has come for a revolution: a Bath Bomb Revolution! Say goodbye to boring round bath bombs, and instead explore the incredibly fun world of 3d shaped molds with the queen of bath bombs herself. As you watch Robyn French Smith make bath bombs live, you'll gain in depth knowledge about ingredients, their role in a formulation, and how they can be substituted. You'll also learn about the many different types of bath bomb molds that exist for people of all skill levels, and be presented with several different techniques to make those molds work for you. Additionally, Robyn is well known in the handmade cosmetics world for her use of color and will show you how micas, lakes and dyes can be correctly utilized in bath bombs.
So many soap makers give up on bath bombs, and a lot of that comes down to the fact that the internet is full of really terrible information on them. Robyn has made it her goal to help other makers break through all of that and dispel the bath bomb myths. With a simple recipe, and proven technique, Robyn has taught thousands of people all over the world how to make amazing bath bombs that perform beautifully. It's time you joined the Bath Bomb Revolution!
Building Blocks of Cosmetic Formulation
Maker Track
Presented by: Kayla Fioravanti
Kayla Fioravanti has been formulating clean beauty products since 1998, long before it was trendy. Two decades ago there were only a handful of ingredients available for clean and natural formulations, but today the market is full of choices. Kayla’s early research and formulation success gave her a deep appreciation for the building blocks and tools necessary to build solid shelf stable products. When she started the industry secrets were carefully guarded and hard to access, but today there is plenty of readily available information that can help you build a solid foundation for your formulating journey. Kayla will help you understand how to use the research available along with supplier Fact Sheets to build stable emulsions and balanced clean preservative systems.
Don't Throw That Away!
Maker Track
Presented by: Venessa Phipps
Join Venessa Phipps as she explores the hidden value in everyday materials that makers often discard. In this insightful session, Venessa will challenge the conventional mindset shaped by big business that leads us to overlook the potential of common ingredients. Drawing inspiration from the resourcefulness of the Great Depression era, this presentation will demonstrate how items like citrus peels, cucumbers, avocado seeds, banana, wilted spinach, and watermelon rinds can be transformed into valuable components for soap and cosmetic products. By revisiting the ingenuity of the past and recognizing the recycling practices of modern big businesses, participants will learn how to turn trash into treasure. This session is perfect for makers looking to adopt a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to their craft, encouraging creativity and innovation in product development. Discover how everyday discards can be reimagined and repurposed, adding unique value to your products and reducing waste.
Formulating Serums:
Maker Track
Presented by: Anne-Marie Faiola
Join us for a learning demonstration where you will learn the basics of creating your own skincare products from scratch. Anne-Marie Faiola you will demonstrate the art of crafting two essential skincare bases: a hyaluronic acid serum and a niacinamide base.
What You'll Learn:
- Creating a Hyaluronic Acid Serum Base
- Formulating a Niacinamide Base
- Preservatives: Learn about the importance of preservatives in skincare formulations and how to choose and use them safely.
- Clean Kitchen Environment: Gain insights into maintaining a clean and sterile workspace to ensure the safety and quality of your homemade skincare products.
- Labeling: Get tips on proper labeling techniques to ensure your products comply with industry standards and regulations.
- Customization with Additives: Explore how to safely customize your skincare bases with various additives to target specific skin concerns and create unique formulations.
Takeaways:
- Step-by-step recipes and formulation guidelines for a hyaluronic acid serum and niacinamide base.
- Knowledge of preservatives and their safe use in skincare.
- Best practices for maintaining a clean and safe kitchen environment.
- Tips and techniques for effective product labeling.
- Insights into customizing skincare products with beneficial additives.
- Additional recipes for a solid cleansing balm and a hyaluronic acid honey jelly mask.
Hot Process Soapmaking
Maker Track
Presented by: Priscilla Mensah
Join us for an immersive Hot Process Soapmaking demonstration where soapmakers of all levels can learn the art and science of crafting beautiful, high-quality soaps using high heat. This session is designed to provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills to master the hot process soapmaking method, a technique that allows for creative freedom and faster turnaround times. You'll get an introduction to hot process soapmaking, a review of ingredients and tools, a step-by-step demonstration, guidance on curing and finishing, and a Q&A session.
Innovative Embeds for Next-Level Soap Designs
Maker Track
Presented by: Belinda Williams
Explore the exciting world of soap embeds and learn how they can transform your designs into stunning works of art. In this session, Belinda will share a variety of techniques, from simple to advanced, using premade and pour-in embeds to take your soap-making to the next level.
Let's Make Things Perfectly Clear!
Maker Track
Presented by: Catherine McGinnis, Jackie Thompson
One of the most challenging aspects in making water-based cosmetics, soaps and room sprays is achieving a crystal clear, homogenous formula and the culprit is most often the fragrance!
Jackie’s passion for liquid soap and her desire for every batch to turn out perfectly clear has led her to research ways in which to disperse essential and fragrance oils in water-based products to maintain clarity and stability.
During this presentation, Jackie will be sharing the results of her research on solubilizers and emulsifiers. She will demonstrate multiple systems she has found to be successful across numerous cosmetic products, their usage rate, how to incorporate them and the pros and cons of each.
Natural Exfoliants in Cold Process Soapmaking
Maker Track
Presented by: Lori Nova Endres
There are numerous reasons to use exfoliants in handmade soap. Exfoliants give a scrubby texture to bar soap that helps remove dirt and dead skin cells, to better clean and soften skin. Exfoliants help kick-up soap lather quickly, which is important for frequent hand washers like me! Exfoliants also add visual interest to an otherwise plain bar of natural soap.
Many natural ingredients like nuts, seeds, shells, grains, dried foods, & herbs can be added to handmade soap to create an exfoliating bar. Are you curious about what ingredients can be safely added to your handmade soap to create lovely exfoliating bar soaps? Not sure which ingredients to buy or precisely how much to use? Want to know which additives contribute to exfoliation and how exfoliating they are?
In this session, Lori will share all the details & close-up pics that came from her research testing 32 different natural exfoliating ingredients. You’ll learn exactly how much to use, how to best incorporate them, and many other considerations, factors, & tips.
Attendees will get a detailed Class Handout, which includes an easy to reference alphabetical list of all exfoliants tested, with a 1 to 5 scale rating of how exfoliating each one is, and precise usage recommendations (per pound of oil). This information will save you time & money when you’re ready to make your next batch of exfoliating soap. Also get a functionality chart, where each exfoliant is categorized as Gentle, Moderate, or Heavy Duty.
Note: This is not a class on how to make CP soap… but how to make it exfoliating!
Scents and Scentsibility: Crafting Your Signature...
Maker Track
Presented by: Lisa Lester
Craft your own signature line of fragrances to gain a competitive edge and make your brand truly distinctive. Single-note fragrances allow makers to create their own unique scents or fine-tune existing, complex fragrance blends to their brand.
During this session, we’ll explore:
- The essentials of fragrance evaluation
- Mastering the fragrance wheel
- The power of single-note fragrances in creating complex blends
- Product testing and IFRA usage rates
Whether you're a seasoned chandler or soapmaker, or a budding entrepreneur in the world of scented products, this seminar will equip you with the knowledge and skills to elevate your craft.
Using Building Blocks of Cosmetic Formulation
Maker Track Intensive Seminar
Presented by: Kayla Fioravanti
If you enjoy Formulator Friday with Kayla in the HSCG Member Facebook Group you do not want to miss this intensive. This will be the ultimate IRL Formulator Friday. Kayla will explain and demonstrate how to use the available formulation information and tools to start on your formulating journey. Together we will build shelf stable emulsifying and preservative systems to create a trendy clean lotion base. Kayla will explain how to create a line from one anchor product to expand the same concept into a serum, cream, and toner.
A Guide to Maximizing Profits as a Candlepreneur
Business Track
Presented by: Julia "Jewelz" Amponsah-Gilder
Discover how to enhance your candle-making business’s profitability in this essential session. "A Guide to Maximizing Profits as a Candlepreneur" covers the importance of diversifying income streams to ensure financial stability and growth. Learn practical strategies for:
Wholesale: Partnering with retailers and distributors
Private Label: Creating custom candle lines for other brands
Markets as a Vendor: Maximizing sales at local events
Fundraisers: Collaborating with organizations for successful fundraising
Candle-Making Events: Hosting workshops to showcase and sell products
Equip yourself with actionable insights to turn your candle-making passion into a profitable venture.
Beyond the Recipe: Bookkeeping for Growth
Business Track
Presented by: Everyl-Ann Archibald
Take your handcrafted soap, cosmetic or candle making business to new heights by getting a handle on your finances! Learn how to easily track expenses, income, and profit margins, and use those numbers to make informed decisions using data that drives growth.
This presentation is designed for small business owners like you who want to stay organized, make data-driven decisions, and achieve your goals.
Branding Brilliance: Mastering the Basics and Best
Business Track
Presented by: Jessica Adanich
Join Jessica Adanich, Founder of DesignPod Studio, for an enlightening session on the power of branding in the business world. This presentation will cover everything from branding basics to advanced strategies that can help you stand out in a crowded market. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your brand identity, Jessica will provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to create a strong, cohesive brand that attracts and retains customers. Learn how to implement best practices in your branding efforts and see real examples of successful brand transformations. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your approach to branding and propel your business to new heights!
Marketplace Mastery: Thriving at Live Events
Business Track
Presented by: Scott Elgart, Sara Golding
Long time makers and experts at the Pop Up circuit- Scott Elgart and Sara Golding will share their tips on how to make the most out of these in person sales events. They will start with an overview of different event formats covering the range of local farmer’s markets to juried exhibitions and large scale trade shows. Once you know what to look for, you’ll need to know how to find these events- and how to avoid the increasing number of scams that prey on unsuspecting vendors. Once you are accepted into a show, you’ll need to know what to bring, what to leave behind, how to merchandise for maximum sales, avoiding pitfalls, and what will give you the razzle dazzle to be the best in show!
Mindset Mastery for Makers
Business Track
Presented by: Azriel Weaver
Are you looking to elevate your business and achieve your goals but are overwhelmed and frustrated by the daily grind of business ownership?
Then join us for a transformative workshop designed to empower makers and entrepreneurs. We will unlock the power and science of adopting a growth mindset. We’ll discover how embracing challenges, persisting through setbacks, and viewing effort as a path to mastery can transform your entrepreneurial journey. In this workshop you will learn to craft a compelling vision that acts as your guiding star. We will be using a guided visualization meditation and journaling exercise to connect and get clear on what is most important to you. This clear vision will motivate you, keep you focused, and align your daily actions with your long-term goals. Daily actions done consistently over time is the true secret to finding success in any area of life. After this workshop you will walk away feeling energized, empowered, and equipped with the mindset and tools necessary to turn your dreams into reality!
OMG! Outstanding Market Guide; Popup perfection!
Business Track
Presented by: Stoney Morris
O.M.G! Outstanding Market Guide, will be a guided lecture to build your perfect market layout. We will go through setup, layout, work flow, break down. We will also be covering display designs, display arrangements and decor. This lecture will have you hyped and ready to design away!!
Picture Perfect: Product Photos With Your Phone
Business Track
Presented by: Brian Morris
Amazing product photos are within your reach! In fact, you're probably holding the key right now. The powerhouse in your pocket can take photos in seconds that professionals just a few years ago would weep over. Here you will learn the basics of product photography and then how to use the available features of your phone's camera to snap incredible photos of your glorious products. Finally you will experience the power of post-processing (where the real magic happens) with a free, widely available, easy to use app; as well as the power of AI!
They say "a picture is worth 1000 words" however for us small business owners a picture could be worth thousands of dollars!
(This session is compatible with both Apple and Android devices)
Product Packaging, how important is it?
Business Track
Presented by: Lora Silva
The importance of image is everything regarding product packaging in the cosmetic industry. The cosmetic industry is a leader in creating products that allow consumers to look and feel their best. But it’s the packaging that’s your first opportunity to attract customers. Topics will include containers and closures, labeling (full color, no color, QR codes, paper textures), boxes, and displays. I’ll share cost-saving tips and a list of packaging companies.
Scaling Up!
Business Track
Presented by: Susan Ryhanen
Scaling Up is NOT about finding more customers. It's about how to make more product when you can't keep up with the demand. It's about finding someone else to make the product for you and to ship it to your customers, too, leaving more time for you to tend to other parts of the business.
Sustainability & Social Impact for Soapmakers
Business Track
Presented by: Samir Lakhani
In this session, previous HSCG Keynote Speaker, Samir Lakhani, will share his experience with Sustainability & Social Impact Marketing — and how to turn your brand into a global force for good while driving business to it. We all have a role to play in making the world a better place. Samir will provide examples of effective soapmaking sustainability marketing campaigns and branding techniques to help differentiate businesses while making tangible, credible impacts on the lives of people around the world. Some topics include: zero-waste soapmaking, doing the buy-one/give-back right, sustainability messaging, advocating for change, fundraisers, and leveraging sustainability media.
Taking Your Website's Temperature
Business Track
Presented by: Dave Shacket
Your website is key to your business. So let's take its temperature and see how it's doing. This workshop will touch on all of the keys of a great website. From content and photography to platform, SEO and design. You'll learn key principles of effective websites and take away solid action items on how you can make your website be as effective as it can be.
The Insurance Advice You Probably Didn't Get
Business Track
Presented by: Chris Van Leeuwen
Large and small businesses are exposed to claims and lawsuits arising from their products, e-commerce sales, and day-to-day business operations. We will highlight and have a format to discuss many of these issues and challenges with the goal of providing ideas and tools to protect your businesses.
Wait, What?! I can't say that?
Business Track Intensive Seminar
Presented by: Marie Gale
Promoting your products can be tricky sometimes. You want to talk about all of the benefits ... but it's really easy to cross over the line into making your product an unapproved new drug (with drug or medical claims). You want to share your customer's testimonials ... but it's a slippery slope into misleading advertising or copyright infringement. You want to promote your environmental awareness ... but greenwashing looms around the corner. You want to tell people how you support important causes with your business profits ... but you can easily become a "fundraiser" and subject to your state's consumer protection laws. You CAN promote your product's benefits, use testimonials, share your environmental care, and support your favorite causes - you just have to do it correctly and stay within the lines. Find out where the lines are and what you can and can't say.
Crafting Customer Personas to Expand Your Biz!
Advanced Track
Presented by: Alana Rivera
Ever feel like all the time you spend on crafting posts for social media and writing blog posts is getting you nowhere? Wondering if there's a more effective and less time consuming way to connect with your audience and make your messaging truly resonate? Look no further! Join this fun and interactive workshop where you’ll learn how to transform your marketing efforts.
Imagine knowing exactly who you're talking to every time you craft a marketing message. By creating detailed customer personas, you can focus your efforts, speak directly to your ideal customers, and see better results. This session is designed to make this process not only insightful but also incredibly fun because you’ll have the opportunity to craft your own customer persona!
You’ll walk away from the workshop with a clearer view of who your customer is and how you can connect with them to build your business.
Essential Oils: Actives, Fragrance or Both?
Advanced Track
Presented by: Hana Tisserand
Essential oils are not only a natural fragrance agent, they are also active substances with many potential benefits. Current research confirms that whether applied to the skin or experienced for their scent, plant volatiles can be a powerful tool. Hana Tisserand explores the latest scientific developments in the field of olfaction and dermatology and highlights the impact of essential oils in leave-on and wash-off cosmetic products.
Hosting Workshops for Adults & Children
Advanced Track
Presented by: Angela Carillo
Hosting workshops for adults and children is a quick and easy way to boost your income. After school programs, libraries and Girl Scouts are always looking for things to do. Workshops include melt and pour soap, perfume, lotion, scrub, home fragrance, lip balm, bath geodes, nail polish and body glitter. We'll go over needed supplies, how to set up and manage the workshop. Once you're comfortable with small groups, you can expand to bridal showers and bachelorette parties. The sky's the limit!
Lather, Rinse, Repeat: Create Systems
Advanced Track
Presented by: Jennifer Frech
Do you feel buried in work? Do you wish you could clone yourself or delegate some of your tasks? This workshop will help you find order. Systems aren't glamorous, but they do a lot of the heavy lifting. You’ll learn to prioritize which systems to work on first, and best practices to set them up. You’ll see real-life examples of how to plan for events, streamline social media posts, send emails to your list each week. You’ll also see how we plan what we need to make, and how we get ready for Q4 each year.