We recently connected with Pruden and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Pruden, thanks for joining us today. One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

I remember being 15 years old celebrating Christmas with my family in our apartment in Manhattan. I went out into the streets right before midnight with a suitcase at hand to walk around the block. As I walked fast, because it was quite cold, I prayed to travel the world one day. Less than two months later, my high school sent me on a 12 day trip to explore marine life on the coast of Baja California, Mexico. It was then where I got my first taste of the richness of travel. I fell in love with a desire to learn about geography and maps, meeting new people, listening to other languages and indulging in different cultures and its various art forms.

As I got older and had the means to do so, I began to take trips here and there. As I did that, I wrote down the places I had been to and added new places to my list. With each place visited, I saved a photo and some sort of ornament or souvenir. I wanted to keep record of my travels, treasure the memories of each land I set foot on.

Many years later, I celebrated Christmas with my family as I always do. On this particular one, my dearest cousin Chrissy Bear came quietly downstairs. Knocked on my door. Everyone was still asleep. As I opened the door, I noticed he was holding a storage tube. “Merry Christmas” he whispered while standing in the hallway. I responded with a demure smile holding back tears for I recognized what was inside even before opening the present. It was a map of the world rolled up. Not just any map but a scratch off map. “Now you can scratch off the countries you’ve visited and mark the ones you want to visit next.” His gift was a grand gesture to me. Chris understood my passion for travel. When he purchased this gift he genuinely thought of me and what it meant to me.

Pruden, 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?

I grew up in New York City. One of the greatest things about NYC is the stupendous exposure to the arts. Naturally I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. I decided to continue my studies and got a Master’s Degree in Education. I just didn’t know how to separate the two; my love for learning with my passion for working with my hands. I often found myself exploring various artforms. Picking up a few and leaving others along the way. But my desire to create with my hands never changed, regardless of the medium.

Approximately six years ago my family and I were celebrating the birthday of a beloved aunt who was in remission. Unfortunately, like many people across the world, I’ve had close encounters with cancer through family members. First my aunt, my mom and sister. But thank God on this day, we were joyous. I wanted to commemorate the event with a special keepsake. Not your typical party favor. As I pondered on what to do that was personalized, I came across soap making. So I did just that. I made my first batch of lavender soaps and gifted it to all my friends and family at the party.

As I continued to research the soap making method I fell in love with the process. I loved the ability to control every single ingredient that went into the product. I also loved the mathematical precision of each ingredient. So I focused on natural ingredients and essential oils. This was due largely to the fact that my family had to be extra careful with the ingredients used in their body products. I wanted to create soaps that were safe and beneficial to the skin. Particularity to those who had skin or health issues such as my family. Soon I found myself ordering books and supplies. Before long, I had filled an entire room with soap making products and equipment.

A couple of years later, the pandemic hit. Unable to seek adventure outdoors, I constantly found myself reminiscing about moments lived with friends and family in faraway lands. I longed to hold their embrace and gather again, but like most, I had to substitute, which is what inspired me to create Ethos Soapery. Ethos Soapery is a nostalgia collection inspired by the people I treasure and the places I adore. Born during a time of stillness and abundant solitude, to fulfill a hopeless romantic traveler with memories of times past. What once began with soaps scented with essential oils that evoked a memory has now expanded into a full line of body products. All handcrafted in small batches to ensure freshness. Made with the utmost love, incredible attention to detail and using only natural ingredients that are safe for the whole family. Ethos Soapery includes cold process face and body soaps, face oils, body oils, beard and hair oils, whipped body butter, bath salts, body balms, lip balms, dish soap and other accessories. I plan to continue to expand my line with hair shampoo and conditioner in the near future. Bearing in mind natural, vegan, eco friendly and low waste products and packaging.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The definition of success and joy. I think our society has a very scripted notion of what success and joy look like. If they do not fall within that margin, you’re deemed a failure. Joy and success are not objects to have, rather a state of being. What brings me joy is not a reflection of anyone else or my surroundings. It’s carried within, it touches my soul. Joy can be expressed in various states such as, peacefulness and stability. What brings me joy might make someone else cringe at the thought of it. Oftentimes finding joy can isolate me from loved ones. It takes courage to stand up for what brings me joy and pursue it. As an artist, I spend many hours alone, thinking and creating. However, in my solitude I find joy doing my craft.

When it comes to success, many of us grew up believing that success is attached to a certain dollar amount. It has taken me almost a lifetime to learn that success is accomplishing a goal set in place. The value to that success is given by the pursuer, in this case me. I have met many successful artisans in my journey. But none can be measured the same.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Meeting people, getting to know them on a personal level. It might sound cheesy but my heart truly jumps with happiness every time a familiar face shows up at a market. I’m relatively new to the neighborhood. I moved up here not knowing anyone. Doing markets gave me a sense of belonging. I felt part of a community. My customers became my friends. Many of them follow me on social media and visit me at other markets. Some have driven as much as 45 minutes to see me and purchase my products once more. I keep in touch with them via email, messages and we even have outings together. I know for many this might seem odd, but I feel blessed to have met them. I have a passion for people and for my craft. I value my customers/ friends and adore seeing them.

I have also met other amazing and talented artisans. There is a group of female vendors, (Elysian Jewels, Time To Be Candle, Nips & Paws) we all have become very close. We even have a group chat on the phone. I’m excited to do market events just because I get to see them, hang out with my girls. They have had their small businesses for longer than I and they look after me, make sure I’m safe and well taken care of. I’m grateful to God for them and I cherish their friendship tremendously. I get all giddy just talking about it.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.ethossoapery.com
• Instagram: Ethos Soapery
• Facebook: Ethos Soapery

Image Credits
. These are my own photos.