Meet Shannon Hillard | Artisan SoapMaker

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

Hi Shannon, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
This business began out of a need. Skincare is some of the most toxin riddled products we unknowingly absorb into our systems and for many it creates conditions of all kinds. As with many families, it fell upon me as the mom, to try to remedy these issues. While our journey to dealing with these skin conditions involved medical intervention in the form of diagnosis and medication of the symptoms, I felt as if I was the only one seeking for the actually cause of the problems. With the help of my husband, a chemist, we researched ways to create clean products for our family. Once we realized that were not the only folks seeking to eliminate these toxic products, that are some of the most common allergens …. Boom, a business was born.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
This business was formed out of a practice for what I wanted to see more from in the world. Not only did I want to create products that were clean and healthy, I wanted the practice I developed to emulate that as well. I did not want to become a machine, cranking out, consuming, and spitting out waste. I decided I would become ingredient driven, providing the cleanest, most plant based options. We would use essential oils, no fragrances. We would not use cheap fillers, silicones, phlalates, and parabens. We wanted to keep our products simple, and not give people what they were used, but spend time educating our customers as to why we do what we do and why we think its better. People don’t need to be tricked into complicated skin care routines with multistep regiments of chemically complicated compounds that promise this and that. We believe that healthy skin is beautiful skin and promoting an All-Natural, Healing, Clean would be our mission.

We also wanted to practice resourcefulness in our manufacturing and thoughtfulness in our packaging. For instance, soap scraps are not wasted and are instead used to make powdered laundry detergent and we recycle all packaging that we receive in our own shipments to use in our customers.

We have a huge medicinal garden and we wild harvest what we don’t grow. We use those botanicals to infuse into oils, dry to add to soaps or create tinctures for toners. Sometimes, new products come out of the medicinal qualities of what a plant that is grown in our garden. We try to reduce packaging where we can and offer refill packaging. This past year, we opened a Refillery in our factory store, the Caldarium, located in Lebanon, Ohio where folks bring in their own containers and we fill them for the cost by volume. We always ask ourselves how can we do better and shift accordingly.

Our customers are amazing and they don’t chase deals with us or ask for discounts. Instead, we charge a fair price and behind the scenes, we work with community members in need through donations and sponsorships. We supply charities with products for shelters and give money directly to local schools and sponsor local events that promote community efforts. We give to those we can on behalf of our customers and we have helped burn victims heal, cancer patients regrow hair, and helped many others with ailments that I swore secrecy to ;).

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When traveling to Denver, we love the RiNo district. The discovery of the art and the artists that have made that part of town great is a highlight. Grab a beer from the breweries and check out the graffiti art while walking the town. If you find a food truck, grab a bite and if you have time, go to Safta and order the hummus.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As with so many small businesses, it takes a village. That village inspires, lifts you up and spends their money with you before anyone else will. My children inspired me to help others. My husband supported me for years and gave me the time and space to create. My parents worked with me and bought from me, well before I could gain a following. It is so very important to remember those humble beginnings. The countless work of friends and family that shared my craft could never be repaid. It is a debt I will hold forever in my heart for each of them.

Website: https://OregoniaSoapWorks.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oregonia_soapworks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OregoniaSoapWorks

Image Credits
Credit: Oregonia SoapWorks