Maker of the Month: Mountain Ridge Farm
Carolina of Mountain Ridge Farm quit her job as a school teacher to become a stay-at-home mom, and started making soap to supplement her income. Today, Carolina uses beeswax and honey from her family’s farm to create soap, balms, and more. Meet Carolina!
How long have you been
making soap and what led you to start your own business?
I started making soaps seven years ago. After having my first baby, my
husband and I decided that being a stay-at-home mom was the best option for our
family. I was previously a school teacher, and had always worked in my adult life.
During that time, my father- in-law had
recently turned his hobby of beekeeping into a successful side business. Despite
having a full time job as a computer engineer, his free time was always spent taking
care of his bees. Besides just selling honey, he also made products with his honey
and beeswax.
He knew I was struggling with the idea
of having to go back to work and putting my kids in a daycare so he offered to teach
me how to make soaps and other bath and body products. It was a job I could do with
the kids at home and make some money on the side selling at local markets and at
craft shows. I didn’t know then how much I would come to love
it!
Where do you find inspiration for your
soap designs?
I have always loved art and design. I
get inspired by looking at art, home design books, decor magazines, and browsing
Pinterest. There are so many beautiful color palettes on Pinterest. They have
inspired a few of my layered soaps.
What is your favorite part
of the creative process?
To me the whole process is
fun. I enjoy the skill it takes to design my soaps and love to see the finished
product when I cut into them. If I had to pick a favorite part it would be actually
pouring the soap and creating the designs.
That doesn’t mean it’s always easy and you
don’t encounter bumps in the road, but that’s what makes it fun
too. Sometimes very similar ingredients can react very differently in the soap
making process! The challenge is being able to adapt when things don’t go
according to plan like when I am using a new technique or
fragrance.
A key part of
Mountain Ridge Farm’s mission is promoting the importance of honey bees.
How does beekeeping play a role in your business?
My father-in-law and husband are both beekeepers. We have around 200
beehives in Northeastern Pennsylvania. I use their honey to make soaps and lotions
and I use beeswax to make lip balms and candles.
Bees are essential for our lives. Without bees the variety of food
available would diminish, and various species of plants would be completely wiped
out. I love making my products but also spreading the word about the importance of
bees for our planet.
What has been your biggest
challenge to navigate as a small business owner?
When I first started my business, I faced many challenges because
everything was new to me. I was a school teacher so I had no idea how to run a
business. It took me a long time to learn and I am still continuously
learning.
The biggest challenge as a small business
owner has been finding new customers without being a household name. I have worked
extensively to build relationships with my customers as I feel word of mouth is the
best advertising! I also have a strong presence on social media and try to
market my business to as many people as possible, not just the community who live
around me.
What advice would you
give to makers looking to start their own business from home?
Be patient. It takes a long time to get loyal customers and make a profit.
Preferably start it as side business to your main job that pays your bills. Utilize
all available resources on the internet and research how to properly market your
products. Most importantly follow and interact with other soap makers. You can learn
a great deal from them.
How do you balance
soapmaking with running an online business and family farm?
It’s not easy but I make it work because I love what I do. When
my kids were little, I used to start working after I put them in bed. I would work
very late and sleep very little which I do not recommend!
It has been easier these past few years since they are
both in school now. I use the time they are in school to work on my business. As my
kids got older they turned into great helpers so that helps too. Whether it be
helping box my soaps or collecting the chicken eggs from the coup they are always
willing to lend a hand.
I am also lucky
to have a supportive husband and in-laws. They have been there for me all of these
years helping with craft shows, taking care of the kids when I am busy making
products, packaging and delivering orders, and many other things. I am from Chile
and do not have any family in the USA, so I couldn’t have done it without
their support.
What other makers
do you admire, and what do you like about their work?
I love La Fille
de la Mer. She makes so many beautiful products and in such large batches!
She also has a gorgeous store front and rocks on social media!
I also really like I Dream In Soap. I
follow her YouTube channel. She shares step by step videos of how she makes her
beautiful soaps. Her videos always look so professional!
I also admire Good Vibes Soaps. I
love their use of color and designs. They use some amazing techniques to make some
really unique products.
What are your dreams for
Mountain Ridge Farm? Where would you like to see your business in 5 or 10
years?
I just accomplished one of my dreams this past
week. I opened my little store front! I bought a small shed last year and had my
husband fix it up for me. I am so happy with how it turned out. I had a very
successful opening weekend and I couldn’t be more happy and thankful for
those who supported me.
In the future, I
see myself owning a bigger store where I can have both my studio and a store front.
I would love to teach soap making to small
groups.
What are three of your
must-have Bramble Berry products?
Oatmeal Milk and Honey Fragrance
Oil
It is such a wonderful and mild scent. I use it in my
soaps, lotions, and scrubs. Customers love it!
Micas - specifically Queen's Purple Mica, Aqua Pearl Mica &
Kermit Green
Mica
Other soap makers ask me on social media how can I
get such a bright and pretty colors in my soaps. I always recommend your
colorants.
6 Cavity Beehive Silicone
Mold
The quality is amazing! I have had some of
them since I started my business seven years ago and they still look brand
new.
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