Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tarra Hardeman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tarra, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

In 2016 I owned a school and was a mom two two teens and two youngsters. I purchased a big name baby wash and was very excited to receive it in the mail. It was from one of the leading baby skin care companies and it was listed as natural and lavender. I opened the package, very excitedly, and got my kids ready for bath. Upon smelling it, with much anticipation, I was surprised to smell the scent of window cleaner. I looked at the ingredients, confused, and couldn’t understand a word of it. I researched the ingredients and found that I had paid for water, detergent and fragrance. I was disappointed. I was angry. How can this be allowed? What are the regulations? Why are doctors recommending this type of product line and company? So I read, and read and read. I knew I couldn’t use that product, or any other from that company – but what to use? I had used that brand and other “trusted” brands all of my life. So I researched and started to educate myself on natural skin care. What does the skin need? What are the rules? How can I make 100% natural products? Carmel Soap was born. Now, more than 7 years later, we consult new customers every day, are in major hotels and boutiques and it’s my full time job.

Tarra, 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’m Tarra Hardeman, mother of 4, wife and small business owner. In 2016, I was in the middle of my second career as a School Administrator and ordered a bottle of big business baby wash for my then 1 and 4 year olds. I had done some version of this many times in the previous 20 years. Upon receiving an opening the bottle, I was surprised. It smelled like industrial window cleaner. I read the ingredients and didn’t understand any of it. I researched those ingredients and found that I had paid for water, detergent and fragrance – for my babies. The wash was from a company that comes highly recommended by dermatologists. I had used this company before and many others like it as I raised my older children (now 28 and 26). I researched every ingredients, every product in my home that evening – into the morning hours. I was appalled, disappointed and confused as to what to use now. I no longer could rely on companies and doctors to tell me what to use, what is best and what works. So, I researched more and educated myself on the skin, industry standards, ingredients, natural options and decided that what was best for me – was to start my own thing. Little did I know then that it would become what it is now. Now, 7+ years later, I handcraft each product from scratch, using plant based ingredients and our goal is to get products as close to 100% natural as possible. We are vegan friendly, for the entire family, and pride ourselves on being educational and transparent. We even teach classes in our workshop. I’m most proud of my relationship with our customers. I know them and they know me. They trust me. I’m happy to continue to learn and share what I know.

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

I’m an only child, have always been independent and pride myself on leading – not following. I’ve grown up this way. I was born in Carmel, California and I was raised all over the country – going to 10 schools in 12 years. I didn’t go to college right after high school, becoming a mother at age 19 and again at 21. Life was hard, but I persevered. I’ve always created my own way, never got caught up in the negative and always saw the cup as half full. I’m an optimist, even when things appear to be crumbling around me. I know it’s temporary. So, when I started this business I wanted to forge my own way, stay true to my morals, and create something different. My goals were perfectly on point, but my steps were not. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no support system, outside of my wonderful husband and refused to follow the lessons that others had learned and put out there. So, I wasted lots of time, energy and money – working hard to not follow. After years of this – what I had created – including recipes, lessons and practices – were already available to me years before. I had worked hard to create my own and while it was amazing, it was similar to the lessons I could’ve learned beforehand and refused to grasp. I’ve unlearned that approach, leaning on my leadership skills and independence, but owning the fact that I don’t know everything and I now prioritize learning, researching and being open to what others think and have to say.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Covid taught us all a lot. I sent me back home, from my first attempts at retail. People were home, not at events, and were afraid to try new things. I was pivoting all over the place. By 2022, we were finding normalcy – at least the new normal – and I was finding myself hindered by working from home and leaning on events as my only source of meeting people. I decided that 2023 would be the year to find a space and open my retail shop again. As I set out to find that space, I found it nearly impossible to locate exactly what I was looking for. I believe that what is for you will find you and work out for the best. So, I took my time, concentrating on what was working and the space found me. We opened in April of this year and it’s been one pivoting lesson after another. What do people want, what do they want to learn and how do I best serve them? My relationship with my customers helps a lot. There’s an open door, open communication and a transparency here that you will not find anywhere else. It helps them and me equally and I wouldn’t spend my time anywhere else.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.carmelsoap.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/carmelsoap
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/carmelsoap

Image Credits
IG – @serendipitysocialco