![](media/image1.png){width="1.979861111111111in"
height="1.0083333333333333in"} ***News Release***

New York District Office

Release Date: June 12, 2006 Contact: John J. Miller (212) 264-7770

Release Number: NYDO 06-23 e-mail: john.miller@sba.gov

***Woman Entrepreneur Turns Scents into Dollars***

**Brooklyn, NY**--- Why would a woman forego the career benefits of a
degree in electrical engineering to pursue a profession making soap? In
an answer just slightly reminiscent of the old chicken crossing the road
joke\-\-- because it just made sense.

Originally from the Caribbean island of Tobago, small business owner Cae
(pronounced Kay) Byng came to the United States at age 19 with the dream
of becoming an electrical engineer. While attending school and working
in a number of different uninspiring jobs, Byng was also in pursuit of a
healthy lifestyle and some fun. So she subsequently enrolled in an
aromatherapy class.

In the weekly classes she learned how ingredients such as carrot seed
oil, bergamot, papaya and a host of others can deliver relaxing and
rejuvenating effects, and how to incorporate the ingredients into
handmade soaps.

Byng manufactured her soaps, as well as bath gels, lotions, body oils
and other specialty items in her Brooklyn home, and handed out samples
of her work to relatives and friends. According to Byng, the business
just took off at that point and she began selling her products under the
name Jasmine and Lavender Handmade Soap Crafters.

Although there are all kinds of novelty-shaped soaps, Byng's soaps are
different in that she custom crafts personalized soaps by scent. She
works with various therapeutic botanicals and essential oils to develop
a scent that the customer likes, and then produces a supply of soaps
incorporating the scent. Any time the customer wants to re-order, Byng
can manufacture another batch from the customer's preference file. The
soaps are also produced in a myriad of colors and forms including
hearts, flowers and teddy bears according to the customer's wishes. Many
of the personalized soaps, named after the individuals who inspired them
and with their consent, are sold to the public from Byng's retail
operation.

Along the entrepreneurial trail Byng found invaluable support from the
Women's Business Center of East New York, which is a free, business
counseling resource funded in part by the U.S. Small Business
Administration. In addition to helping Byng with general business
planning and growth strategies, the WBC assisted J&L in setting up a Web
site. The WBC also offered, and Byng accepted, an opportunity to
participate as a consignee in a local program known as RISE, short for
Retail Incubator Selling Experience at the 4W Circle of Art and
Enterprise. The RISE incubator provides motivated entrepreneurs with the
opportunity to join its co-op and operate a shared, storefront retail
space with other businesses. The co-op members share in-store
responsibilities

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and overhead, and familiarize themselves with the other business'
products in order to serve as a sales associate for the entire store. At
4W Circle's 704 Fulton Street location in Fort Greene, most previous
co-op members learned the ropes of retail trade and moved on to
establish their own retail operations.

J&L's sales have increased 100 percent since joining the co-op and Byng
continually looks for ways to grow her business through the introduction
of new products such as wedding and shower gift baskets and other
personal care products.

From her experiences Byng offers advice for other fledgling
entrepreneurs. "Go with your passion and be dedicated to the effort. It
is also important to do extensive research in your chosen field and
assemble a strong board of advisors." Byng adds, "The growth of this
business has me looking to bigger and better things that I might not
have otherwise." Or as an electrical engineer might put it, Byng has
experienced a power surge.

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*All of the SBA's programs and services are provided to the public on a
non-discriminatory basis. For more information about the SBA please
visit [www.sba.gov/ny/ny](http://www.sba.gov/ny/ny).*