We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandra Unkefer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sandra, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to provide natural handmade soaps, lotions and other body care products to people who are struggling with the chemicals found in commercial skin care products or who are simply looking for ways to remove chemicals from their homes and daily routines. I have personally struggled with skin allergies and sensitivities for years. I tried everything I could find but nothing helped. I was prescribed several different prescriptions by my dermatologist but nothing helped. Then one day I was encouraged to try some natural hand made soap. I am so glad I did! Within two weeks I saw a difference. In three months I no longer needed to take any of my prescriptions for my skin. I now know that I am allergic/ sensitive to many of the chemicals found in commercial soaps, lotions, body care products and laundry soaps. As a result I decided to put my Environmental Geology degree to work to find better options. Over the last 10+ years I have developed natural soaps, lotions, lip balm, hair care products, laundry soap and bath salts. I also offer hand made candles and wax melts that are made exclusively with certified clean scents. These candles and wax melts are 100% phthalate free. They are also free of carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins and acute toxins.

Sandra, 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 began making soaps in 2012 on a very small scale. The soaps were mainly for myself, family and friends. Then one day a friend said “You should really be selling this stuff!” So, I found a local farmers market and started selling my soaps. I had an amazing response. I talked to people all the time who said they have had skin issues for years or even decades and now their skin looks and feels great. Or some say that they are finally not itchy, red, or flaky. It turns out that I’m not the only one with skin allergies and sensitivities.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I was laid off after working in the environmental geology field for many years. I found another position in Ohio as a geologist but was also laid off and the office was closed. It was at this point I needed to make some hard decisions. After much prayer and thought I decided to make this “Soap Thing” my full time gig. I am so glad I did! I have the joy of taking with people every day and help them with their skin issues. One of my happiest moments was when a mother of a baby boy told me that her son “Finally stoped crying” and his skin was no longer cracked and bleeding. He could sleep through the night and now she could too.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I alway make sure I maintain the quality standards I have set of myself and my products. I test every batch of soap, lotion, candles, etc. before it goes to the market. If any of my products does not meet my standards, it will not be sold. I want people to know that I will not cut corners, I will not use inferior ingredients and I will not sell any soap before it is fully cured. I want my customers to know that they will receive a quality product every time. If there are any issues with my products I will make it right. Whatever I do, I do it all for the glory of God.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: kandels_candles_and_soaps
• Facebook: Kandel’s Candles & Soaps
• Other: Kandelsg@gmail.com

Image Credits
All of these images are mine. None of them are taken by a professional or another individual.