Meet Lynne Ostreicher | Vegan SOAP Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lynne Ostreicher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lynne, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?

Starting my family in my mid-30’s, having three boys in three years, and then raising my boys as a single Mom made me a strong and independent woman.

The strength and determination inside me steered my life in such ways as my believing I could achieve or do anything I put in front of me. That confidence carried over to my work ethics and home life. My boys saw how hard I worked, and at no time did I let anything interfere with my time shared with my children.

Over the years, especially as a single parent, I had many ups and downs professionally and personally. Through it all I acted as a role model to my boys showing that caring, loving, hard work, integrity, and loyalty are all parts to making a good and successful person. One of my son’s said to me, “Mom, I never knew we were ever struggling since we had so much fun in making everything interesting and filled with love”. Words could not have been sweeter. There were many times my sons went to work with me and were pros helping me at my business. As they grew up, I was pleased to see them become confident and strong like me.

In the past, I’ve had several businesses and also worked for good companies, but my hobby of making clean and fresh vegan soap (soon expanding to perfumes) has been my passion. I believe that giving back to others is something all business leaders should engage in. I  donate soaps to homeless organizations and shelters, share with friends and family, and sell at local area markets and pop-up events. This caring and acts of charity is something I am proud to have passed on to my children.

When I first started soap making, I had included candles as part of my sales, however, that business was handed over to my daughter-in-law who has become extremely successful on her own with artistic, creative and beautiful candles and candle holders. Shoutout to @Marzcandles and @Marzimperfections.

My sons are grown and I feel they have become wonderful men from the love and guidance I gave them. They are all hard workers and have a fabulous work/life balance which I know they will pass on to their children. I couldn’t be prouder of my boys, their accomplishments, myself and my SOAPS! @Zoapscentz 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

About five years ago, after a long day of surfing when I lived near the ocean,  I was walking on the Venice Boardwalk and saw a vendor selling soap. I have no idea why it struck me so strongly but I knew I had to learn how to make soap. When I had no luck learning from this vendor, I found a biochemist who was teaching soapmaking. I studied every weekend for almost two years and learned how to make soap and other toiletries for men and women, however, my passion for making soap was so strong that I stuck with it.

The initial setup of my “hobby” soap business was quite costly and having started with only a few fragrances to now having over 200 fragrances and additional custom scents is wonderful for the consumer. ZOAPSCENTZ soaps are without processed chemicals such as: parabens, sodium chloride, sodium laurel, palm oil (obtained from cutting down trees in the rainforest), tallow (lard), and other undesirable ingredients. ZOAPSCENTZ base ingredients are saponified olive oil and coconut oil, a dash of castor or rice bran oil, mica coloring and essential oils for fragrance. Some soap scrubs have the following added ingredients: organic oatmeal, lavender, lemon and orange peels, etc. My moniker for my bar soaps is having a heart, peace sign, flower, cactus, or other fun shape in the middle of the soap bar. Other shapes such as baby shoes, flowers, legos, holiday figures, wedding gift bags, etc. are also big selling items and customizable.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

My favorite hangout was the beach, surfing and sunning. Incredible places to visit in the city would be the Peterson Museum, Rose Bowl pop-up markets, LACMA, La Brea Tar Pits, SOFI Stadium, hiking in the mountains, Hollywood Boulevard, and thrift shopping. Since there are no shortages of eating, drinking and hangout places in LA, just point at one and go! You won’t be disappointed.

Being a newcomer to the Denver area I am still finding my footing. I have found and enjoyed numerous hiking spots, small quaint mainstreets, lakes, museums, and snow capped mountains. The best eateries I’ve been to are located in out of the way neighborhoods. Sometimes, it’s fun going to different restaurants for thrifty dining of small bites and hopefully adding that restaurant to your “go to” list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Shoutout to @MarzCandles and @Marzimperfections

Instagram: @Zoapscentz

Image Credits
Lynne@ZOAPSCENTZ