Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Beatty Janice Campbell
Hi Kim Beatty, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Both of us had tried hand made cold-process soap, and immediately noticed that our skin felt softer, less itchy and less dry. Being the types that like to try new things, we decided to teach ourselves how to make cold-process soap. In 2017, we made our first batches of soap and gave them away as gifts to family and friends. Everyone who tried our soap strongly encouraged us to sell it, because they too felt a noticeable difference between our soap, and the mass produced detergent cleansers they had been using. We formed a little “soap club” on social media, and began selling our soap to a small group of followers so that we could continue to purchase ingredients and learn more about the process.
In 2021, after both of us relocated from southern Maryland to Hampstead, MD, we decided to form a LLC, launch a website, and start selling our soaps at the local farmer’s markets. We began formulating soaps and detergent-free solid shampoo bars to address specific skin and hair needs, and the business started to take off. As we grew, we expanded our product line to meet the needs of customers, and we added herbal salves, lip balms, solid dish soaps, and facial products to our inventory.
In 2023, after having outgrown every “kitchen space” we worked in, we began looking for a larger space that could serve as our production facility, retail shop, website fulfillment center, and classroom for teaching soap making classes. In February 2024, we opened the doors to our new retail and production facility in Hampstead, MD.
We have expanded our business to include wholesale distribution, as well as private label production of natural soaps for other skin-care brands,
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
To be honest, everything that needed to happen for us, happened exactly when we were ready for it. Although there were some bumps in the road and learning curves, we have truly been blessed in this endeavor!
The biggest struggle for us has been an uncertain economy. When people are worried about the price of groceries, and the cost of everything keeps rising, it is hard to “splurge” on something like handmade soap. We work very hard to keep our supply costs down without sacrificing the quality of our products.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Goose Ridge Soaps, LLC was formed in 2021 in Hampstead, MD. We specialize in handmade cold-process soaps, detergent-free solid shampoo bars, facial products, herbal salves, and eco-friendly products for your home. We are known for our high-quality natural products that help people with their unique skin and hair needs. We also work hard to be eco-friendly. We use NO palm oil in our soaps and use minimal or reusable plastic-free packaging as much as possible to reduce waste.
Customers also enjoy having the opportunity to take soap making classes in our actual production space and we love to share our knowledge with them! Educating consumers on how to read labels and know what they are using on their bodies is important to us, and being able to show them how real natural soap is made is very rewarding!
We were proud to be voted as the 2024 Carrolls Best Natural Products Store and we strive to earn that title every day.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
It is a really rewarding experience to be able to turn a passion into a business. However, many people don’t realize how much goes into the actual “running of the business”. It is way more involved than we ever could have imagined, and we are fortunate enough to have an amazing small business support network here in Carroll County. If you’re looking to start a business, visit your local Chamber of Commerce, check out the Small Business Administration in your area, talk to other small business owners and be a sponge!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gooseridgesoaps.com
- Instagram: @gooseridgesoaps
- Facebook: Goose Ridge Soaps
- Youtube: Kim and Janice Goose Ridge Soaps
