"Prior to founding Soapwalla, I had two vastly different lives. I started out as a professional classical violinist, touring, competing, and going to Juilliard — the whole shebang. Then I switched gears and got a law degree from Columbia University. I practiced land use law in two big NYC law firms for four years before my health necessitated another career change. I was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune illness, in law school, and I wanted to create products that could work with my sensitive skin.
Think no new clothing, movies out, or coffee dates for a year.
In full honesty, I've never pitched for money in a real setting. Soapwalla has been self-funded, and in the black, since day one. However, the way I did that was to grow super slowly, only as much as I knew I could personally financially back at the time. I also didn't take a salary from the company the first three years (and then it was a very small one). I cut way back on all personal spending — think no new clothing, movies out, or coffee dates for a year. Not fun, but totally worth it, because I retained 100 percent control of the company I was building." — Rachel Winard, founder of Soapwalla
Image Source: Courtesy Rachel Winard