We recently connected with Krissy & Wes Reynolds and have shared our conversation below.
Krissy & Wes , appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Sun & Spruce Soaps is a small batch soap company based in Roanoke, Virginia. We established our business in 2020 when we, Krissy and Wes Reynolds, decided to turn our passion for handmade soap into a reality. The idea took root during a hike among the spruce trees in West Virginia, and we knew it was time for a career change.
At that point, we were at a crossroads in our professional lives, leaving behind our dream of owning a restaurant. While exploring the Dolly Sods Wilderness, we brainstormed a list of five things we could excel at, and soap making was Wes’s addition to the list. Among all our business ideas, the soap venture truly thrived and garnered a dedicated following.
Our town lacked a handmade brick-and-mortar soap shop, and we were determined to fill that void. We began by participating in local markets, building a website, and carving out our niche in the valley. Wes was confident that his soap recipe was not only unique but also of high quality, destined to become a part of people’s daily lives. Moreover, it aligned perfectly with our commitment to sustainability, a fundamental aspect of handmade soap.
As our soap business grew, Krissy shifted her focus towards branding and image development. She also introduced complementary products like sugar scrubs, beard oils, and lotions to enhance our product line.
For us, the most exhilarating aspect of this journey, aside from the fact that it’s our own business, is raising awareness about the benefits of handmade soaps for both skin and the environment. We take pride in what we do and in the positive impact our products have on people’s lives.
Krissy & Wes , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
We had to embark on a journey of self-reinvention when our corporate dream job became unattainable.
The decision to launch Sun & Spruce was born out of our genuine passion for handmade soaps and the recognition of an unmet need in our local community. In our workshop, we lovingly handcraft artisan soaps, scrubs, lotions, beard oils, and more, with an unwavering focus on skin-friendliness and sustainability.
Our soap collection boasts an array of distinct scents, all built upon a base recipe that caters to all skin types. These moisturizing exfoliating bars are not only beautifully designed but also exude delightful aromas. Additionally, we take pride in offering soap options that are fragrance-free and color-free for those with specific sensitivities.
Reflecting on our journey, we are most proud of our accomplishments over the past three years. We successfully established our brick-and-mortar store, transitioned to working on Sun & Spruce full-time, and expanded our reach across Virginia and the entire United States.
Our mission is rooted in crafting soaps that capture the essence of nature through unique scents. Each Sun & Spruce soap is meticulously cold processed in small batches, utilizing recipes that ensure longevity of both the bars and their enchanting fragrances. Our commitment extends to using ethically sourced oils, essential oils, botanicals, and other ingredients, all of which are handcrafted with love.
Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?
Our first year was a formidable challenge, marked by our bold decision to leave behind our corporate jobs and go all-in on our company. We were deeply committed to dedicating our full efforts to its success.
In the early weeks, it became evident that the location we had initially selected for our first kiosk lacked the necessary foot traffic and wasn’t the optimal spot. This prompted us to swiftly pivot, hustle relentlessly, and strategize how to navigate the six months at that location.
To make ends meet, we joined our local farmers markets and began participating in weekly pop-ups and craft fairs. These events became our lifeline, as we depended on them to cover expenses. There were Fridays when we wrote payroll checks with a heartfelt prayer that the sales from the upcoming Saturday’s event would suffice. It was a period of making tough choices, where we had to prioritize between necessities like electricity and covering credit card bills. We willingly sacrificed anything that wasn’t essential to ensure the growth and survival of our beloved soap venture.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Krissy, started from scratch right from day one on Instagram and Facebook. Our journey began with the unwavering support of our family and friends, who were the first hundred likes on our pages.
The real grind commenced as we delved into the world of weekly craft shows and the mall kiosk, which preceded our current brick-and-mortar store. I made it a daily priority to create engaging posts and stories, injecting some fun into the mix with themed days like #moldMonday, featuring soap mold photos. Consistency was our mantra; it was absolutely essential.
At every craft show and in our store, we made sure that every visitor received a card with our social media information. We’ve never paid for marketing; it’s all been an organic and natural process through word-of-mouth, the connections we made at markets, and those handy information cards. Simplifying the experience for consumers was also a fundamental principle we adhered to. Keeping it simple was key.
Lastly, the content we shared played a pivotal role. It might sound straightforward, but it couldn’t just be something slapped together out of obligation. It had to be genuine, addressing questions, and weaving a story that resonated with our audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sunandspruce.com
- Instagram: @sunandsprucesoaps
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sunandsprucesoaps/
- Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/sunandsprucesoaps?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d36460bb-7f7b-43b5-8a6b-4180be1f3d97
Image Credits
We took them all. :)