What started as a hobby experiment in the kitchen has now grown into a business success. Beesha, The Soaping Company, recently won the award for best Starting Business in Almere. The municipality praised the company not only for its creative entrepreneurial spirit, but also for the fact that the company prioritizes sustainable business practices. Almere Zaken spoke with Ben Bos, the founder of Beesha.
“We are incredibly proud that we can call ourselves the Starter of the Year,” says Ben Bos. The Almere native was pleasantly surprised that Beesha was chosen to receive the award. In addition to Beesha, start-ups Ibu Spekkoek and HR Duurzaam were also nominated for the title. “For us, this award is a wonderful encouragement, the appreciation that we have managed to get a great company off the ground.”
Experimenting
A few years ago, Bos started making his own shampoo bars at home. “I was actually looking for a dog shampoo, but I couldn't really find what I was looking for. I then started buying ingredients myself and experimenting at the kitchen counter. That eventually led to a shampoo bar for people. I made 100 soaps back then, but although they were very nice to use, there was still some room for improvement.” Bos decided to conduct further research into the market. He spoke with suppliers, delved into recipes, and was busy for more than a year with the core of their business: product development. “I really wanted to do the production myself. At the time, Beesha was the very first in the Netherlands to do that.”
All our products are handmade in Almere
Exploded
What followed can be called an outright success. By early 2020, the first five types of shampoo bars were ready, a webshop was opened, and in six months' time, over 40,000 soap bars were sold via the digital counter. “Things exploded, in a positive sense. Suddenly it was no longer a hobby, but I realized that this was a successful business. I had to professionalize, because thousands of soaps were lying around the whole house.” Beesha now has its own production space on the Xenonstraat in Poort. The company's office and impressive warehouse are also located here. Seven people are employed full-time, and at least as many flexible workers support the rapidly growing company.
Development
Besides consumers, other entrepreneurs are increasingly knocking on Ben Bos's door. “In the first two years, 98% of our customers were private individuals, but we see that a shift is occurring and entrepreneurs are also increasingly finding our products. Both by purchasing our products for their business relations and staff, and we, as Beesha, The Soaping Company, also develop cosmetic lines for third parties. This involves both white labels and private labels.”
We can print labels or boxes with a company logo from just a small order quantity
Branded merchandise
“The nice thing is that we can personalize our products. From just a small order quantity, we can print the labels or boxes with, for example, a company logo or a special text. Ideal for corporate gifts or for special occasions. Last December, we were able to offer 2,500 gift packages to employees of the Flevo Hospital. And recently, we were also able to present a nice gift to the members of the VBA (Almere Business Circle Association).”
Future
Not only is further conquering the business market one of Beesha's ambitions, but further developing products is also a goal for the near future. “What we do differently than other companies in our line of business is that we work with as many natural ingredients as possible. An example of this is that we use essential oils instead of synthetic perfume. Moreover, we have the largest assortment of scents, more than thirty of which twenty can be found permanently in our range. And we even have a spring and autumn collection, because we experienced that people like to choose different scents in winter than in summer. And speaking of summer: we are busy developing a deodorant and a body butter. But in everything we do, the most important thing is to reduce our ecological footprint. All products are packaged and shipped plastic-free. And the fact that everything is made locally in Almere also certainly contributes to the sustainability that is so important to us.”
Jury report on Beesha
“Upon registration, Beesha immediately stood out because of the unique product they produce themselves in Almere. They started at the kitchen table in early 2020, where they quickly had to hire staff due to the increasing orders. Within six months, they were able to move into a business premises from which they operate completely. In addition, they seek cooperation with other parties in Almere to be able to inventively expand their production line. A special company that we as Almere can be proud of.”
Source: this publication is taken from Almere Zaken, February 18, 2022.