Samantha Story-Camp will be the first to tell you that she’s not a typical entrepreneur. Acting has been a passion and outlet for her since she was a child, and soapmaking began as a way to create unique gifts for her fellow cast members on closing nights. Over the years, people raved about her soap and begged her to start a business. Finally, after a different idea never materialized, she launched Pip & Lola’s. The homemade soap company named after two of her children was born in Washington State, but it grew up here in Pittsburgh. Today, Samantha operates a thriving business with two locations and multiple family members on staff.
Samantha Story-Camp’s purchase of a homemade soap recipe book was supposed to be a creative way for her to provide gifts to fellow theatre actors after the final night of performances. One evening, she found herself at a local small business association workshop on how to start a business. Her and a friend were interested in creating a singing telegram company with a unique spin. Their idea never got off the ground, but what she learned planted the seed for another entrepreneurial venture. After receiving initial feedback from her friends and online community, Samantha decided to launch Pip & Lola’s.
Samantha eventually moved back to Pittsburgh, the city where she received her theatre degree from Point Park University. She and her husband opened a storefront, and Pip & Lola’s began to grow. The company, which is named after two of her children, is a thriving family business with two locations. They also have a generous donation program in which they provide bars of soap to regional domestic violence shelters and other local charities. In this episode, Samantha talks about what she’s learned from over a decade in business and how her theatre background helps her to relate and communicate with her many loyal customers.
If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton!
YOU CAN REACH ME AT:
Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano
Phone: 412-336-8247
YOU CAN REACH SAMANTHA STORY-CAMP AT:
Website: https://www.pipandlola.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pipandlola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pipandlola