“I did a lot of research on it, and learning its benefits made me more determined to switch my family over to shea butter products,” the 62-year-old told FMT.
Shea butter – made from fat extracted from the nut of the African shea tree – has been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe skin rashes or redness. It is also a great moisturiser and contains anti-ageing properties.
First, Sim hit the shopping malls to sniff out shea butter products but realised it was not an easy hunt.
“Many of the products in malls use refined shea butter,” she pointed out. “This may give a longer shelf life but ultimately removes most of its natural healing properties in the process of refining.”
Thus, Sim decided to take matters into her own hands, reaching out to friends who had soapmaking experience. “They taught me the steps, and I immediately began experimenting at home.”
Initially, she had only planned on making the soaps for herself and her family but, after receiving terrific feedback and numerous requests, she decided to start selling them.
Sim credits her daughter for encouraging her to start up a small business. “I had been considering retiring from my corporate job then and this seemed like the perfect new adventure for me,” she said.
With that, her small homemade soap business, Hanesu, was born.
“I still remember my first few orders. I had no labels or packaging at the time, so I used nasi lemak wrappers and printed our logo on them,” she recalled with a laugh.
Hanesu has come a long way since, and the soaps now come in resealable packaging with over eight scents for customers to choose from.
Sim can still remember the first soap she created, made with shea butter and virgin olive oil. “Later, I began to experiment with other ingredients to create different variations.”
Based on orders over the years, her most popular products are the shea butter and bamboo charcoal ginger; shea butter turmeric ginger; and shea butter and calendula flower soaps.
To ensure the quality and benefits of each product, Sim tests every new creation for a few months before introducing it to her customers.
She also only uses natural ingredients, including oils, to make her goods. “I never take shortcuts. The curing time can take a while, but I always allow the soaps to cool naturally and avoid using fans.”
Asked why, she explained: “During curing, which involves a process known as saponification, the soap gives off heat, and that’s when chemical reactions take place. For natural soaps, you want to leave it to process in its own time, so that all the ingredients are neutralised.
“By using fans the process is shortened, and the lye – the basic compound used in soap – will not completely dissolve.”
Owing to this, orders require time to be fulfilled, so Sim recommends placing them in advance.
Her ‘grand’ inspiration
Sim also sells soaps with a little twist – some contain toys inside. For these, her grandchildren were her inspiration… plus, there was a practical reason.
“During the pandemic I was looking for new ways to encourage my grandchildren to wash their hands more often. One day, I decided to add one of their toys into the soap.
“To my surprise, I found they were washing their hands more often trying to get the toy out!” she recalled warmly.
More recently, Sim has begun adding a new element to the mix: handmade bracelets by her grandson Benjamin.
“He likes to make bracelets for his friends and teachers, so we had the idea of putting his handmade bracelets inside the soaps and giving them away as gifts,” she chuckled.
Sim hopes to shortly begin selling shea butter soaps with the bracelets Benjamin makes – something her new and existing customers can certainly look forward to.
And she cherishes the fact that this activity has brought her closer to her grandson as they bond over their passions, ensuring her products leave a familial legacy of love.
To get your hands on Sue Sim’s luxurious soaps, visit Hanesu’s Instagram profile.