A heart welcome to SRP!

There are differences in soaps. Like many other things, the better soaps are generally more expensive than the cheap ones. You are doing the right thing in buying some of Colleen's soaps. Hers are the best I have ever experienced, both in terms of performance and scent! And they are half the price of some of the others. But at $9-$11 a puck, they are more expensive than Williams. Sue (Mama Bear) also has a large following here too. So you might want to try some of hers, too.

When you buy your razor ensure that you select the honing option (except SRD where Lynn hones them at the time of sale). You want your first razor to come shave ready. You don't want to learn your honing skills and shaving skills simultaneously. This will present the dilemna of not knowing where a problem lies. Blade edge or incorrect technique.