Carolyn adds her special touches of natural ingredients.
by Mira Reverente
Not all soaps are made the same. There are some that are good for you and some that may do more harm than good. Soap entrepreneur and cancer survivor Carolyn Aranda can attest to this.
Lather is the best medicine
Since being diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer about 30 years ago, Aranda has been particular about what she puts in her body. “I do a lot of research on scents and chemicals like parabens and sulfates. They are typically found in cosmetics, shaving and hair care products, which are absorbed by the skin,” says the Camarillo resident and mother of two grown children.
She started experimenting and making her own soaps and laundry detergents three years ago. In the process, she learned about the three ways to make soap, settling on the melt and pour method which involves melting the soap base glycerin and pouring into molds or containers. She says, “It’s the simplest and least toxic way to make soap.”
Aranda adds her special touches of natural ingredients such as goat’s milk which is great for lathering. Sometimes, she’ll add olive oil or use it separately. To add natural color, she uses blueberry or turmeric. For packaging, she also tries to use as little plastic as possible.
Sudsational and soaptastic
For the holidays, Aranda has a few holiday-themed designs up her sleeves. Think gingerbread men, snowmen, snowflakes, snow crystals and Christmas trees.
In the past, she has churned out stars for the 4th of July, pumpkins for the beginning of fall, some Halloween designs and seashells for the summer. “Others just have regular bar soaps, but I can jazz up the soaps with various interesting designs and even two-toned ones,” she says of her unique sudsational and soaptastic products.
Prices range from $5 a piece to $4 for three or more soaps. Small soaps retail for $2. Custom orders are encouraged although there is a wide variety of designs and scent combinations like lavender, lemongrass and peppermint to choose from. There are no minimums.
Raising the bar
Variety is the spice of life, and soaps apparently. Aranda is currently concocting more soap varieties and promoting gift baskets for the holidays. Think corporate and party giveaways. She’ll help you come up with a theme and put together gift baskets to match your idea, drawing upon her years in corporate America.
She also looks up to her husband for his business acumen. “He inspired me to break away from the 9 to 5 grind, pursue my interests and set up my own business,” she says.
She’s also dabbling with the idea of widening her reach and shipping internationally. Also, adding more adult themes for bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Look for her at a farmer’s market or bazaar near you soon. Soap is the limit for this solo entrepreneur!
For more information go to https://www.facebook.com/Carolyns-Natural-Organic-Handmade-Soap or call 747.231.SOAP (7627) or email [email protected].
