Meet Toni Schulze | Owner & Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Schulze and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, what do you attribute your success to?
In an industry that is supersaturated, the most important thing I have done to ensure my success is simply to stand out from the crowd and just be myself. What makes my products different from everyone else’s under the same umbrella is ME. I put my unique touch on everything that I do and my brand has built up around that. The beauty of having this business that is my own is the option to do what I want with it. There are no rules holding me back from the creative freedom that I have in everything that I create. My imagination is the limit and ideas flow daily from everyday life and my interactions with those around me. I have had such a diverse employment background in everything from esthetics, to retail cosmetic sales and small business management (to name a few) that have cultivated the very perfect set of skills to efficiently run my particular small business. There will always be challenges in growing my brand, but as long as I remember to keep ME in the equation the success will continue to come.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am sure most people wonder why I consider what I do artistic or creative, but just like food can be art, so can soap! I am proud that Bluebird is known for its whimsical and artsy soap designs. Not only are my soap bars made with the highest quality natural and vegan ingredients, they are also fun pieces of art that can be displayed proudly. While soap isn’t the only product I make, it is the only product that gives me creative freedom in its final creation. Having a creative outlet has always been a cornerstone for me since I was a child. I love to create in all forms, whether it be drawing, painting, sculpting or other various crafts. Being able to create and using my imagination allows me to shine and put ideas to use. When I first started Bluebird I was working a full time job and had so little time to create. That was the first hurdle I had to overcome. I had to balance work, life and somehow manage to make enough products that I could sell at markets. Time management wasn’t my friend, but I had to persevere. Getting home from work, making dinner, doing house stuff and then going back to work was my everyday norm. I did that for almost 2 years and I look back and wonder how? My biggest takeaway from Bluebirds beginning is that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If one of my besties came to town I would definitely take them to shop at some of the unique Houston boutiques around town that showcase local talent like Rosewood Enchantikal Cottage, The Whimsy Artisan and Wormwood & Vine just to name a few. Since everyone I know loves art, a visit to The Menil Collection, The Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science would be a must too. We would definitely have a drink or two at my favorite bar Lei Low and catch local bands at The End and a night of dancing at Numbers. At least once or twice I would take them to my favorite French Cafe for breakfast, Delices de Maurice, where they have the absolute best croissants and patisseries. Korean BBQ at my favorite Korean place TastyKo, Pho at Yummy Pho and Bone, Japanese at Kata Robata, some Texas BBQ at Truth BBQ, delicious Italian at Sorrento, steaks at Taste of Texas and the best sangria at The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. I honesty could go on and on about food but there are so many places I haven’t tried! A trip to the Houston Farmer’s Market would be a must and a walk down Kemah Boardwalk and catching a Dynamo game also on the list of to do’s. Whatever local markets are happening would be on the list too, Macabre Market, Divine Market and Tulips Market are only a few of the amazing markets unique to Houston that I would take a a friend to.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother gets all the credit in my successes in everything I do. She has instilled in me so many values and an unparalleled work ethic. My mother never held me back in my creativity and always encouraged me to do what I set my mind to. She worked extremely hard as a single parent to give me opportunities to succeed in whatever I chose. Her support of everything I have done in life has motivated me to continue to push myself and be the best in whatever I do. She is my number one fan and I am hers!

Website: www.bluebirdbathboutique.com

Instagram: @bluebird_bath_boutique

Facebook: @2020bluebird

Other: TikTok – @bluebirdbathboutique