We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kailey Garcia. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kailey below.

Kailey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

One evening I was sitting in my simmering, hot bath as I reached to grab my very common, commercial bar of soap that I’ve used my entire life. Just before I was about to make it lather on my loofah I asked myself, “what makes soap, soap?” I had no idea the process of soap making or all the ingredients used to make soap. So I sat the soap down on my soap dish and began to Google the ingredients of the brand I was using. I literally gasped at what the first listed ingredient was, synthetic detergent! I thought to myself “we have all these natural oils and butters easily available and why is synthetic detergent used?” I immediately knew I did not want my family using these types of soaps. I wanted a healthier and cleaner alternative and I thought it would be cool to make it myself. I had just started a nursing travel assignment and couldn’t really dedicate my time to go right into making soaps, so I researched everything there was to know about soaps and the soap making process for about six months before I made my first batch. My first batch was a success and I knew I would really enjoy soap making. I only made soap for my household, but I wanted to share with my family, so they too could have clean soap available to them. I was a little addicted into making soaps at this point and had about five loaves of soap which makes about 8-9 bars each, so I started to share with friends. I got such good feedback. Everyone enjoyed my soaps and loved that they are made with ingredients that were familiar to them and you could buy from a grocery store. That’s when I decided I would like to make natural ingredient soaps available to my community and start an online business. Still Water’s Soap Co was created toward the end of 2023.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Kailey Garcia and I own Still Waters Soap Co. I have been a nurse about six years. I currently work in the Houston area and I’m stepping my way into the aesthetics side of nursing. I am a wife to a very supportive man and a mother of three year old twin boys, who are the best! I’m fairly new to the soap making world. This totally started as a DIY gone into a business, but I got so passionate about soap making because it’s another commonly used product that I can change into something that is good for you and your beautiful skin. Something that you won’t question what’s in it because you know what the ingredients listed are. It’s another way to prevent big corporations from pumping us with synthetic ingredients known to cause skin issues. The skin is the largest organ in our bodies and everything you put on it absorbs into the blood and I don’t think a lot of people know that. I offer soaps made with natural oils and butters. I only use essential oils for scents or scent free and I color my soaps with natural clays and powders. I also have healing salves, body butter, and bath salts that are all of course made with natural ingredients. I am currently testing formulas for face moisturizer and sun block, shout out to my mother, Brenda, for being my human tester. I am most proud of my products and believe there is something for everyone. I chose the name of my business after Psalms 23 of the Bible and I like to remember that when life gets wild “He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul” (Psalms 23:2-3 ESV).

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I do the monthly local farmer’s market in my hometown and get to meet customers face-to-face. I love meeting new people and talking to returning customers. I like to ask them their ideas for new soaps and what other ingredients they’d like to see used in my soaps. I also ask their opinions on different products if they’ll be interested in them. I think my customers also notice the time I spend on my soaps. Every bar of soap is hand labeled and wax sealed and I think it adds an extra touch of personalization.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I totally have the socials: Facebook and Instagram. If someone would like to order from there it can be done! I do have an online store and I use Shopify. I love Shopify it’s very easy to use and I like that it allows the customers to use the pay in four payments and there’s an app to track shipments, which I love and use personally! Shopify also has a POS system, so when I’m at the farmer’s market customers can easily tap their cards and enjoy their soaps! I have no cons on how I’m able to sell my products. I really do wish one day I could open a little soap shop to where I would be able to meet new customers and they’re actually able to try out everything before purchasing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stillwaterssoapco.com/
• Instagram: stillwaterssoapco
• Facebook: Still Waters Soap Co.