Meet Marisa Allen | Soapmaker

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

Hi Marisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I love to serve people. It is satisfying to craft something with my own hands and give it to someone. I grew up doing all the crafts– crochet, cross stitch, sewing, scrapbooking– and still enjoy being creative and making things that are beautiful and useful. I want whatever I make to be beautiful and personal, satisfying and joy-stirring. I think God left some things undone because He wanted to see us take something raw and shape it into something beautiful and whole. What is it worth then, if when we are done we keep it to ourselves? I want to give people a sense, with the things I make, that there is a loving God who knows them. He gives us the gift of creativity and we can pass that on and bring joy to others when we use that gift.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Presta Goods exists to bring joy, beauty, and rest into moms’ lives by creating bath and skincare products that are useful, beautiful, and rejuvenating. Once I became a mother, I experienced firsthand how much labor goes into running a home and keeping your tiny humans alive. I wanted to bring little moments of joy into people’s homes, to allow them a deep breath of satisfaction amidst the hard work. Washing your hands with a fragrant, pretty bar of soap can remind you that you are worthy of respect and dignity even when you are changing diapers and cleaning up messes all day long. I also want our products to work. No one has time for a pretty thing that doesn’t do its job, so we intentionally formulate our products to be gentle for dry and sensitive skin, yet effective at cleaning and moisturizing.

It hasn’t been easy. I don’t think anyone who has undertaken something significant would call it easy. But is it satisfying and worthwhile? Yes! I took a break from the business when we had a new baby, and we have moved several times since we opened our business, so we closed temporarily during the transitions, but the overarching idea for me is perseverance. Everyone needs to set down their load from time to time so they can rest and recharge, which allows them time to regain their strength to pick it back up again and keep going. Stopping to rest is not the same as giving up, and that’s an important distinction to make in a “hustle 24/7” culture. I want to encourage other women to prioritize moments of rest and remind them to breathe deeply, finding meaning and value in their work, whatever it may be.

Currently I’m most excited about our tinted lip balms, which I make with organic mango butter and mineral powders to give the lips a hint of color. I use one every day, and love how it gives me confidence without feeling made-up or fake. It’s smooth, shiny, and natural; not sticky, dry, or cakey. If a smile is the most beautiful thing you can wear (and I believe it is!), I want your smile to feel good. Small things can be significant! I want to encourage women to savor the small things and intentionally discover joy in the mundane and everyday moments of life.

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?
We are so fortunate to live in a stunningly gorgeous area with mountains, forests, and lakes all around us. I would love to show them Fox Run Regional Park, one of my favorite places to hike, enjoy a picnic, or play volleyball with the family. There are miles of wooded trails, several ponds, sand volleyball courts, grassy areas, and playgrounds, and it is peaceful and restorative. I love listening to the wind in the pine trees, and glimpsing Pikes Peak through the trees. In the summer we love to go to Palmer Lake with our paddleboard and spend a relaxing day on the shore, watching the water sparkle and shimmer, soaking in the warmth of the sun. We would enjoy picking up some ice cream at Lolley’s in downtown Monument afterward! I would also love to show a friend Garden of the Gods, with its huge red-rock formations and walking trails. For a heart-to-heart chat and some delicious food, I’d go to Wesley Owens Coffee & Café in Monument—they have the best gluten-free bagels! We could check-out iFly in Colorado Springs for indoor skydiving, which is a blast. One of my absolute favorite places in the area is called The Living Room, a plant store filled with exotic foliage and classic favorites, from tiny three-inch potted cacti to four-foot-tall monsteras. I love supporting other small businesses, because I understand the challenges and passions of creating something meaningful for others to partake in and enjoy, whether it’s a fresh-brewed cup of coffee or a variegated houseplant.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband Sean has always believed in me and encouraged me to keep going. He is the best cheerleader, and has given me his generous support and affirmation every time I doubt myself, which is often. I couldn’t and wouldn’t do it without him.

Website: prestagoods.com

Instagram: instagram.com/prestagoods

Facebook: facebook.com/prestagoods

Other: prestagoods.etsy.com

Image Credits
Beverly K. Photography