I wanted to celebrate the launch of my new website with a blog about a woman who has inspired me because she’s taken her Natural beauty business to the next level by seriously giving back. Lindy Laroche, owner of the Poppy Soap Company approached me a few weeks ago about reviewing her soaps. Not only are her soaps divine, but I learned that Lindy gives a bar of soap to a woman’s shelter for every bar sold.
I managed to catch up with Lindy to ask her a few questions.
S.U. You give a bar of soap to women’s shelters across the country for every bar purchased – why did you choose to make women’s shelter’s your mission?
I have a very personal connection to women who are survivors of domestic violence. I wanted to do something tangible to support them in a time of need. Even small gestures can have a huge impact. By creating a connection between the women in shelters and their communities, I believe its possible to create a spark of hope in what is often their darkest hour.
In addition, many of the women who work at Poppy Soap Co. have used domestic shelter services, either as women or as children. They know first hand what it feels like to leave a life behind, and they understand how powerful it can be to receive support during that critical time of need.
S.U. I love that women who are having a hard time even eating, get to experience your beautiful-smelling, calming soaps – any inspiring stories?
Last year Poppy Soap Co. sponsored a letter writing campaign asking people to write to a women or child in their local shelter. In return, we donated a bar of soap for every letter written. A Girl Scout troop in North Carolina participated in the campaign, and actually took a trip to their local shelter to leave the letters and bars on each of the beds. It was so inspiring to hear how an awesome group of young ladies had come together to be a part of our give-back mission in the community where they live.
Beyond that, I receive a lot of calls from customers who have been in a shelter at some point in their lives, especially during the holiday season. They have been there and know what it’s like, and they’re looking for a way to give back.
S.U. What got you into soap-making in the first place?
I have always been a DIYer. It started with cooking, as well as an interest in aromatherapy and essential oils. That eventually led to making felted soaps as Christmas gifts for friends—and I opened my first etsy store.
After the birth of my son, I knew it was the right time to reevaluate how I wanted to invest my time and my life. I was working in a corporate world, traveling constantly and working long hours. That wasn’t what I wanted for myself, or for my family, longterm. Soap making makes me happy. It’s my working meditation.
S.U. Will you explain the ingredients you use, and why they are perhaps better than some of the more conventional soap ingredients.
People use soap every day, but so many of them don’t realize that “soap” is actually a heavily regulated word. Companies are not allowed to use the word soap unless it is truly a real, handcrafted bar of soap. This is why you see so many “beauty bars” and “dry skin cleaners” and “anti-aging moisturizing bars” on store shelves. These soap imposters are cleverly labeled to draw attention away from the fact that they are basically detergents consisting of ingredient similar to what you wash your laundry with.
Not so with Poppy Soap. The ingredients I use to make my true soap are organic and natural. (You can read all about the ingredients here.) At the same time, using sustainable ingredients is important to me. I want to make sure the ingredients I use are coming from responsible sources. For example, palm oil has become a bit of a hot topic due to the loss of habitat palm harvesting is creating in some parts of the world. The palm oil used in Poppy Soap is certified, which guarantees that it comes from sources that are employing sustainable, responsible harvesting practices. Quality ingredients do cost a lot more, but knowing that my soaps are having a positive – not negative – impact on the earth is so important to me.
S.U. What is your passion in life?
I am passionate about making a positive change in the world. To me, this can come in many forms. For my customers, I offer a product that is birthed from a place of love. Your fact is the first thing you wash in the morning and the last thing you wash at night. My gift to them is more than a bar of soap, it’s a tangible something special that hopefully inspires them to slow down in the moment and savor a little self-pampering. For my son, I aspire to be an inspiration. I want him to know that he can do anything he dreams. By fostering his courage and self-worth, I like to think I’m making a positive change he will carry on on after I’m gone one day. Last, but not least, my Bar for Bar program is my gift to local communities around the country. There is so much pain and suffering in this world, I believe that if we start chipping away at it by doing what we can, where we can, with what we have. In doing so, even a gesture as small as a bar of soap has the power to give someone hope and change a life. We share the planet with seven billion other people. Imagine what would happen if each of us committed even a single random act of kindness for someone in need.
S.U. What is your dream?
There are so many. I want to be able to hire women from my local shelter. I want to do more outreach in the community, perhaps empowering people with the tools and confidence to start their own business. I want Bar for Bar to stand on its own two feet. Up to now, I have been paying for the Bar for Bar shipping out of my own pocket. I’m hopeful that with the funding we receive through our Indiegogo campaign, we’ll be able to continue the program and make even more donations to local communities on behalf of our amazing customers.
Lindy is generously going to giveaway a year’s worth of Poppy soap to one of your lucky ladies. Just make sure that you have “liked” my new Facebook page, and one of you will be randomly picked by the end of the day 11/6/.
S.U. How can we help you to fulfill your mission?
Please support our Indiegogo campaign! The funds raised through the campaign will enable our team to move into a larger space and purchase the necessary equipment to continue taking and filling large orders. In addition, the campaign funding will help us continue our Bar for Bar program. Last year alone we donated more than 3,000 bars of soap to local women’s shelters thanks to support from our customers. We want to see that number continue growing each year.
We’re offering some great funder perks; everything from packs of Poppy Soap favorites to a custom scent consultation to an in-person soap making class with me. We’re even offering a holiday gift pack perk that we will wrap and ship on behalf of funders, which means you don’t have to battle crowds, stand in lines or hassle with gift shipping!
