SoapCon Speakers
Our speakers for 2016 have been selected and are already packing their bags for Kentucky!
We have invited some of the best, brightest, entertaining and knowledgeable persons in the industry. The wealth of information they share just for the asking is immense. We are thrilled to have you come meet our friends.
We have invited some of the best, brightest, entertaining and knowledgeable persons in the industry. The wealth of information they share just for the asking is immense. We are thrilled to have you come meet our friends.
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Name
Charlene Simon Why we love her: She is truly the soaper with the midas touch! SoapCon Topic: Charlene is excited to host her session Designs + Dolla’ $igns | Merchandising for Maximum Revenue in your Booth, Boutique, or Basement! Saturday Oct. 1st 10:30AM There’s no doubt after walking into one of Charlene’s boutiques that she has a passion and love for merchandising and design. Dive into the bag of tips and tricks she’s collected running five retail locations across four states. You’re going to take away easily implemented ideas that’ll dazzle the dollars right out of your customer’s hot little hands! Bio and Contact Info: Charlene Simon is a soap, cosmetic and beauty addict. She’s been handcrafting soaps and cosmetics for 16 years and sharing 8 of them having her own retail boutiques. When you step inside one of her charm-filled apothecary boutiques you’ll experience an adventure in indulgence…sampling aromas and textures of gourmet, hand-blended bath treats and enjoying personalized service that’s so rarely seen today. Charlene’s retail business portfolio is one of her greatest accomplishments. She opened her first retail soap boutique in Hot Springs, AR in 2008, her second in 2014 in Natchitoches, LA and third in St. Louis, MO in 2015. She’s super thrilled to soon announce a fourth location!! Her retail shop portfolio also includes Fat Bottomed Girl’s Cupcake Shoppe (featured on Food Network’s Cupcake Wars!) and Evilo Oils & Vinegars. She lives and is lucky to get to work with her husband Justin, along with their three children Mackenzie, Dude, and Farren! She is beyond proud to also serve on the Board of Directors for the Handcrafted Soap & Cosmetic Guild. |
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Clyde Yoshida Why we love him: He is so darn colorful! SoapCon Topic: Clyde's topic is Vibrance! Color Theory for Soap Makers Sunday Oct. 2nd 11:00AM This session begins with an introduction to the color wheel and progresses with a hands-on activity of mixing color. We will explore a range of color schemes that will help soap makers determine the best color combinations to fit the “mood” of their soapy creations. Bio and Contact Info: Clyde remembers a time in his childhood when his curiosity about soap began. He recalls dissolving a soap bar in liquid water, thinking that he could make a new bar if he evaporated the soapy water. His interest in painting eventually led to his bachelor of fine arts degree and teaching credential and eventually he earned his master of education degree at Harvard University. “It is surprising,” he says, “that the excitement of making my first soap batch led to starting my own business. It is gratifying to apply skills that I’ve learned as an artist to designing soap, my company logo and editing YouTube videos. The bottom line is that I love to share creative ideas. I guess that once you’re a teacher, you’re always a teacher.” In addition to soap making, Clyde continues to create his artwork. He occasionally participates in art shows and displays his paintings in several San Diego business offices. His color tutorial on his soap making videos have been popular to his viewers. |
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Dr. Kevin Dunn Why we love him: His soap making mirth is what legends are made of! SoapCon Topic: Kevin's topic is Little White Lyes Saturday Oct. 1st 1:30PM Bio and Contact Info: Kevin Dunn is the Elliott Professor of Chemistry at Hampden-Sydney College. His book, Caveman Chemistry, brought him to the attention of handcrafted soapmakers and because of this he has undertaken a series of research projects on the chemistry of handcrafted soap. This research has culminated in a second book, Scientific Soapmaking, which was published the Spring of 2010. Professor Dunn has appeared on the Learning Channel's "Mysteries of Magic" and the History Channel's "Modern Marvels". |
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David Purdue, Esq. Why we love him: He is the coolest attorney this side of the Mason-Dixon! SoapCon Topic: Dave's topic is Make ‘em Yours and Put a Fence Around ‘em! Sunday Oct. 2nd 9:30AM Soapers are known for their clever product names and their beautiful packaging. Trademark law is a powerful tool for putting fences around your trademarks and tag lines. Copyright law is a powerful tool for putting fences around your packaging graphics, logos and web sites. We will explore trademark law and copyright law and talk about how you can use them to your advantage. We will talk about how to pick a good trademark, how to check for conflicts, how to establish a right in a trademark, and how to strengthen your trademark through proper use and registration. We will talk about how to establish copyright protection for your materials and how to strengthen your copyright through registration We’ll wrap things up with some tips about how you might proceed against someone who breaks down your fence and uses your stuff. Please bring a laptop or other device to access the Internet as we will be exploring the trademark database of the US Patent and Trademark Office. Bio and Contact Info: Dave Purdue has been practicing law since 1983. We expect that he will become good at it soon. Dave received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from The University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate degree from The University of Toledo College of Law. Dave’s vast job experience includes Summer camp counselor in Highlands, North Carolina, pizza maker at the Brown Jug restaurant in Ann Arbor, and machine operator at Optoelectronics in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Memberships: • International Trademark Association • American Intellectual Property Association • American Bar Association • Ohio State Bar Association • Toledo Intellectual Property Law Association (Past President) • Toledo Bar Association ◦ Intellectual Property Committee (Member, Past Chair) ◦ Federal Court Committee (Member) Other: • Father of Sarah and Matthew • Husband of Cathy • Volunteer Attorney with Assets Toledo • Volunteer Attorney with TLCP Library Ask a Patent/Copyright/Trademark Attorney Program • Volunteer Attorney with Legal Aid of Western Ohio • Guest Speaker at the University of Toledo College Of Business and Innovation Export Success Program • Guest Speaker at the Better Business Bureau • Fisherman pursuing perch, smallmouth bass, walleye, and musky. |
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Catherine McGinnis, MBA Why we love her: She's our "teach"! SoapCon Topic: Catherine's topic is Liquid Gold: Making Liquid Soap is Easier Than You Think Saturday Oct. 1st 3:30PM Bio and Contact Info: Catherine's youtube channel, Soaping101 is the most popular non-commercial channel for soap making tutorials. The style and know how she brings to her videos and the community is an extension of her genuineness. She considers soap making an industry where information should be freely shared and appreciated. Catherine graduated Summa Cum Laude from MSU with a Master's Degree in Business Administration. Her field of expertise is Marketing + Economics. |
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Tracy Pearce Why we love her: Growing small town America is her niche! SoapCon Topic: Tracy's topic is How to Let Tourism in Your City Work For You Saturday Oct. 1st 10:00AM Bio and Contact Info: Tracy Pearce is the Tourism Director in Mount Sterling, KY and President of the Eastern Kentucky Tourism Region. She is also a New Anchor amd Producer for Gateway Radio Works. Tracy previously worked as a marketing consultant in television, radio and real estate. |
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Leigh O'Donnell Why we love her: Oh, those curls! SoapCon Topic: Leigh's topic is State of Affairs in Our Industry Saturday Oct. 1st 11:30AM Bio and Contact Info: Leigh is the current Executive Director of the HSCG and works in the headquarters in Saratoga Springs. She has worked for the HSCG since 2005 in different roles. One of her proudest accomplishments is turning the HSCG Conference from an event with less than 100 attendees to one with over 600 attendees that has sold out every year since 2010. She also takes great pride and values the importance of her work with federal advocacy for the handcrafted soap and cosmetic industry, meeting with Members of Congress and working with the HSCG Lobbyist for the past 7 years. During her career she has worked as a manager, department head, entrepreneur, advisor and executive, applying her education and experience to every role. Leigh loves to travel, sail, dive, snorkel, swim and practice martial arts. She graduated from NY Maritime College in the Bronx with a BS in Meteorology and Oceanography and a USCG License as a Third Mate, Oceangoing, Any Gross Tons. |
SoapCon Junior Speakers
We are excited to introduce junior speakers this year. These ladies will offer give you just the facts- down + dirty, quick + fast.
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Kathy Lynn
Plain to Polished: Packing for Pennies Saturday Oct. 1st 2:30PM Kathy will show easy, cost saving ways to create unique packaging. Her packaging concept is to have a “little black dress”, which by changing the embellishments or accents, the handmade soapmaker can provide customized packaging to their customers at minimal cost to their bottom line. Using a basic packaging line, accessorizing for the season, event or customer, provides the soapmaker savings and the ability to buy in larger quantities without having to commit a large portion of their budget or inventory to one custom package Bio and Contact Info: Kathy Lynn is the owner of SoapEmbeds from Joliet, Il. She has been a soapmaker since 2002. Frugal by nature, she is always looking for innovative ways to minimize costs with creative and affordable packaging. When she is not scouring the web for the best prices for supplies or perusing Pinterest for inspiration and ideas, Kathy enjoys spending time with her two fur babies, reading all varieties of books and loves the challenge of puzzle games. Kathy started SoapEmbeds, in 2015, to provide the small soapmaking business with quality products and the time savings of pre-made soap embeds. |
