I suspect that you have already seen the Facebook posts about Temu. I don't know how much of that is true. I was commenting on a post where someone asked if other soap makers buy from Temu. I just said that I do not trust them, I prefer not to buy from them. Other people said that it is the same or similar to buying generic brands. That it's like Amazon, but cheaper. I don't like it either way.
I am making soaps, lotions and candles on my own, I buy from Amazon. I try my best to buy materials made in the U.S.A. So far, my fragrances are from Bulk Apothecary. They are more expensive than if I buy fragrances from Amazon from random companies. I believe it's worth it. I don't want to take a chance on unknown brands (most come from China). This is people's skin that we are talking about. I don't want possible issues from unknown or even untested products.
I cringe when people buy candles from the dollar stores, or things you put on your skin. Candles can be creating toxic fumes, by cheap materials they were made from. Did you know most cheaper candles use paraffin? Paraffin is used because it is cheaper than soy wax. There was a lot of information on Google about this. In short.. "People can be exposed to paraffin on the workplace by breathing it in, skin contact, and eye contact. The National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) has set a recommended exposure limit (REL) for paraffin wax fume exposure of 2 mg/m3 over an 8 hour work day." (Wikipedia). Other sites said that it is petroleum based and you can inhale carcinogens if you don't have good ventilation. So, while you could save a few dollars, you could be inhaling some bad Sh**.
I have ordered soy wax from an American Company. Soy is biodegradable, and burns cleaner and results in less soot. I make some candles that have essential oils at smaller amounts than usual candles.These can be used as warm massage oil. I feel confident that this is safe. It might smell lighter in the air, but safe for the skin.
While I can't avoid plastic, or things made in China, at least small steps might be helpful.
Enough about materials. When buying from small business, you help people in our community. In my case, you are helping me reach my dreams. I want to build my own business, because I believe that we are meant to work to live, not live to work. I don't want to go to a job that I feel miserable in, get home when it's dark already, hungry and tired. Just to pay for the house I can't spend time in because of work. My priority should be to spend the little time we have on this earth with the people I love. I want to wake up and be happy and eager to start work doing something I love. I would love for my little business to help cover our bills and have a little extra, so we don't stress out.
I know we all have dreams, and mine is not more important than anyone else's. But I know that my little business can make people happy. It can help their lives a little better just by helping them wind down when they get home. Smell the soft delicious scents of my melts and candles. Even enjoy a warm shower that smells like a little piece of heaven. I would love to know that someone out there is going to bed smelling like Bergamot, or vanilla pudding (my favorite). that scent will impregnate into the bedding and make their rest more enjoyable.
I appreciate the opportunity offered to me by the people who buy my products, to reach these goals. I have faith and I am determined to grow my little business.
I am grateful and blessed.