Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Davis.
Hi Andy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in Houston and after living overseas and then in Illinois for most of my childhood, I returned to Houston after college. After a few years in public accounting at a Big Four firm, I was ready for a change. My parents are entrepreneurs so I grew up in a household where launching and building your own business was very normal. As I was thinking about a career change, my family and I discovered a small retail concept called Buff City Soap and joined the growing franchisee team.
Buff City Soap is a brick-and-mortar store where local soapmakers create handmade, plant-based scent products that are free of the harsh ingredients typically found in other scent companies. We sell soap bars, bath bombs, laundry soap, foaming hand soap, body scrubs, shaving products, and many fun accessories. As our ingredients are all plant-based, our products are good for your skin, which is the body’s largest organ, and good for the environment. It is a really unique shopping experience as children are invited to decorate their own bath bombs and all guests can watch and learn about the soapmaking process. We also host private events that are perfect for a child’s birthday party or for “sipping and shopping” with your adult friends. Each product from our Soap Makery is truly unique and we love to share that experience with our guests.
As native Houstonians, we knew Houston would be a great market for the products and I stepped up to lead our Houston operation. With four stores already open and four more under construction, it has been a very demanding yet rewarding journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To quote The Beatles, the road has definitely been long and winding. Navigating a world of supply chain shortages, labor market upheaval, and rising prices has been a humbling experience. Each one of our stores has been more costly to build and taken longer to open than we planned for. Nevertheless, we are so proud of the Buff City Soap guest experience that we remain extremely optimistic about the venture. Furthermore, our first stores in greater Houston, in the Heights, Katy, and Conroe, are outperforming other regions in Texas and we attribute it to the enthusiasm that our local communities have had for the brand. We are so thrilled to introduce Buff City Soap to Sugar Land, Brenham, Huntsville, and Richmond later this year.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I’ve read a few of the bestselling productivity and business books over the years but I really find that the best learning comes from real-world experience. I wake up every day and have no idea what surprises are heading my way and I am growing so much through that experience. Also, like many other entrepreneurs, I really enjoy the How I Built This podcast.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buffcitysoap.com/
- Instagram: @buffcitysoap.htx
- Facebook: @buffcitysoap.htx
