In the vast landscape of online entrepreneurship, few stories captivate and inspire like that of Katie Carson, the founder of Royalty Soaps. What began as a teenage hobby has blossomed into a thriving business, largely due to the power of YouTube. This is the tale of how a passionate soapmaker turned her craft into a digital phenomenon, amassing over 880,000 subscribers and revolutionizing her business in ways she never imagined.
The Humble Beginnings of Royalty Soaps
Katie Carson's journey into the world of soapmaking began at the age of 16. Like many homeschooled teens, she was always seeking interesting classes and activities. It was during one such soap-making class that Katie discovered her passion for creating beautiful, handcrafted soaps.
"I just really loved it," Katie recalls. "I talked to my parents, and I said, 'Hey, I think this is something I really want to pursue.'"
After a year of honing her skills, Katie took the plunge and launched Royalty Soaps as an online business at the age of 17. Her decision to start online was strategic – it allowed her to keep startup costs low and avoid the fees associated with selling at craft fairs and markets.
The Early Days of Soapmaking
In the beginning, Katie's soapmaking process was simple and small-scale. She worked from her parents' kitchen, using basic equipment and molds. Her first soaps were simple designs, often scented with essential oils and colored with natural ingredients like clays and herbs.
As her skills improved, Katie began experimenting with more complex designs and techniques. She learned about the chemistry behind soapmaking, studying the saponification process and the properties of different oils and butters. This knowledge allowed her to create unique formulations that would become the foundation of Royalty Soaps' product line.
The Accidental YouTube Star
When Katie first ventured into social media marketing for her business, she didn't have a grand plan. Instead, she decided to try everything and see what worked. In 2013, she launched Royalty Soaps on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube all within the same week.
Interestingly, YouTube wasn't initially part of her marketing strategy. Katie started her channel as a way to connect with other soapmakers she'd met on Facebook. Her early videos were focused on testing scents and reviewing soaps from other makers – content that was more geared towards fellow crafters than potential customers.
The Evolution of Content
As Katie began posting videos of her soap-making process, something unexpected happened. Her channel started to attract a wider audience, fascinated by the mesmerizing process of soap creation. Viewers were drawn to the colorful swirls, the satisfying pour of soap batter, and Katie's bubbly personality.
Katie's content evolved over time, influenced by viewer feedback and her own creative instincts. She began incorporating more advanced techniques like mica line designs, soap sculpting, and embed soaps. Her videos became more polished, with better lighting and camera work, but always maintained the authentic, fun-loving spirit that attracted viewers in the first place.
The Turning Point: When Views Became Sales
Katie's journey to YouTube stardom wasn't an overnight success. It took consistent posting and fine-tuning of her content to reach where she is today. The real turning point came when she had around 15,000 subscribers. At this point, Katie started noticing a clear correlation between her video views and sales.
"Every single time, we'll see a spike in sales once a video goes up," Katie notes. "That's when it became clear that this is something that's actually influencing the revenue here."
The Power of Trending Topics
Katie's success on YouTube wasn't just about posting regularly. She made some savvy decisions, like tapping into trending topics that play well with search engines. One of her first big hits was a video showing her making a soap inspired by the viral Unicorn Frappuccinos from Starbucks.
"It did almost 12 times better than anything else I had done. And I was absolutely shocked, because it was kind of a video I had thrown together at the last minute," she recalls.
This experience taught Katie the importance of staying current and connecting her craft to popular culture. She began creating soaps inspired by movies, TV shows, and trending topics, which not only boosted her views but also attracted a wider audience to her products.
Strategies for Success: How Royalty Soaps Leveraged YouTube
Katie's success on YouTube isn't just about luck or timing. She's developed several strategies that have helped her grow her channel and her business:
Consistency is Key: Katie maintains a regular posting schedule, which helps keep her audience engaged and satisfies YouTube's algorithm. She typically posts new videos twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Authentic Content: Katie's bubbly personality shines through in her videos, creating a genuine connection with her viewers. She's not afraid to show mistakes or bloopers, which makes her content more relatable and authentic.
Diversified Content: While soap-making videos are her bread and butter, Katie experiments with different formats like reviews, tutorials, and collaborations. This variety keeps her channel fresh and attracts different types of viewers.
Strategic Planning: Katie uses her video performance to plan her inventory. Popular video series often correlate with increased sales, allowing her to prepare accordingly. For example, her annual Halloween collection videos always perform well, so she increases production for these seasonal soaps.
Cross-Platform Synergy: By filming content for multiple platforms simultaneously, Katie maximizes her efficiency and reach. She often creates shorter versions of her YouTube videos for Instagram and TikTok, expanding her audience across platforms.
Engaging with the Community
One of Katie's most successful strategies has been her engagement with her audience. She regularly responds to comments, hosts Q&A sessions, and even incorporates viewer suggestions into her soap designs. This two-way interaction has fostered a strong sense of community among her followers, many of whom feel personally invested in Royalty Soaps' success.
Katie has also leveraged this community to support other small businesses and soapmakers. She frequently features guest artists on her channel and promotes other soapmakers' products, fostering a collaborative rather than competitive atmosphere in the handmade soap community.
The Impact on Royalty Soaps
The success of Katie's YouTube channel has had a profound impact on Royalty Soaps as a business:
Team Growth: What started as a one-woman operation has grown into a team of up to 10 people, including Katie's friend Karoline who helps with marketing and her brother Kenny who often appears in videos. This growth has allowed Royalty Soaps to increase production and improve customer service.
Inventory Management: Katie can now strategize her inventory based on video performance. For example, her annual Secret Soap Series, where viewers guess the collection's theme, always performs well, so she knows to produce more soap for these events. This data-driven approach has helped minimize waste and maximize profits.
Revenue Diversification: While soap sales remain the primary source of income, Katie now also earns money from YouTube ad revenue and brand sponsorships. This diversification has provided financial stability and allowed for reinvestment in the business.
Expansion of Product Lines
As Royalty Soaps grew, Katie was able to expand her product offerings. In addition to bar soaps, the company now produces:
- Liquid soaps and body washes
- Bath bombs and bubble bars
- Lotions and body butters
- Candles and wax melts
- Soap-making supplies and tools
This expansion has not only increased revenue but also allowed Katie to cater to a wider range of customer preferences and needs.
Lessons for Aspiring YouTube Entrepreneurs
For those looking to follow in Katie's footsteps and use YouTube to grow their business, she offers several pieces of advice:
Persistence Pays Off: Don't be discouraged by low view counts on your first videos. Consistency and passion are key to long-term success. Katie's first videos only got a handful of views, but she kept posting regularly.
Be Authentic: Viewers appreciate genuine content. Be yourself on camera, just as you would when talking to a friend. Katie's quirky humor and occasional mistakes have endeared her to viewers.
Experiment with Formats: While having a signature style is important, don't be afraid to try new types of content. You never know what might go viral. Katie's soap-cutting videos, for example, became unexpectedly popular.
Learn as You Go: You don't need to be a video editing expert to start. Learn new skills as you progress and don't be afraid to ask your audience for feedback. Katie's video quality has improved dramatically over the years.
Optimize Your Process: Find ways to create content efficiently, like filming for multiple platforms simultaneously. Katie often films behind-the-scenes content while making her main videos.
Leverage YouTube's Monetization Features: As your channel grows, take advantage of opportunities like the YouTube Partner Program and brand sponsorships. Katie now earns a significant portion of her income from these sources.
Set Boundaries: While growing your channel is important, don't do it at the expense of your mental health. Set a sustainable upload schedule and remember to enjoy the process. Katie has been open about the importance of work-life balance in her videos.
The Importance of SEO and Thumbnails
Katie has also emphasized the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) and eye-catching thumbnails. She spends time researching keywords and trends to optimize her video titles and descriptions. Her thumbnails are colorful and often feature her expressive face, which helps her videos stand out in search results and recommended video sections.
The Future of Royalty Soaps
As of 2025, Royalty Soaps continues to thrive, with Katie at the helm. The YouTube channel has surpassed 1 million subscribers, and the business has expanded to include a wider range of bath and body products. Katie has also launched a successful line of soap-making tools and supplies, catering to the growing community of DIY soapmakers inspired by her videos.
Embracing New Technologies
The company has embraced new technologies, including augmented reality features that allow customers to virtually "try" soap scents and colors before purchasing. This innovative approach has reduced returns and increased customer satisfaction.
Royalty Soaps has also invested in sustainable production methods, implementing eco-friendly packaging and sourcing ingredients from fair trade and organic suppliers. This commitment to sustainability has resonated with environmentally conscious consumers and opened up new market opportunities.
Expanding Education and Community Building
Looking to the future, Katie plans to expand Royalty Soaps' educational offerings. She's developing online courses for aspiring soapmakers and considering opening a physical workshop space for in-person classes. These initiatives aim to further strengthen the community that has grown around Royalty Soaps and solidify the brand's position as a leader in the handmade soap industry.
Conclusion: The Power of Passion and Persistence
The story of Royalty Soaps is a testament to the power of following one's passion and embracing new opportunities. What started as a teenage hobby has grown into a thriving business and a vibrant online community, all centered around the simple joy of handcrafted soap.
Katie's journey from a homeschooled teen to a successful entrepreneur and YouTube star is an inspiration to crafters and small business owners everywhere. It shows that with persistence, authenticity, and a willingness to adapt, it's possible to turn a niche interest into a flourishing enterprise.
As Katie herself puts it, "I'm still a little bit taken aback even now and very, very humbled and grateful that people would be entertained by what I produce. It's definitely something I know a lot of people would like to achieve, and not many people do, and I don't take that for granted."
For aspiring entrepreneurs and content creators, the story of Royalty Soaps serves as a reminder that success often comes from unexpected places. By staying true to your passions, consistently producing quality content, and being open to new opportunities, you too might find your own path to success in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
In the end, Katie Carson's story is not just about soap or YouTube success. It's about the power of creativity, community, and the entrepreneurial spirit. It's a reminder that with dedication, authenticity, and a bit of bubbling enthusiasm, even the most humble of beginnings can lead to royal success.
