The Scent of Something Real: How Soap Became My Serenity
From a single mother’s search for something honest to the creation of a business rooted in beauty, care, and purpose.
A Purpose Beyond Profit
When I first began making soap, it wasn’t because I had a dream—I wasn’t chasing a trend or following a passion. I needed to support my family. I was a single mother with mouths to feed, a heart full of hope, and a deep desire to create something I could believe in. I didn’t just need a product that could sell—I needed something honest. Something I could trust in my own hands. Something I’d proudly hand to my children, to my mother, to anyone I loved.
That product turned out to be homemade soap.
A Mystery in Plain Sight
At the time, no one around me was making it—not the way I imagined. There were no how-to videos, no Google, and no quick answers. Soap was something everyone used every day—so ordinary, so essential. And yet, the deeper I looked, the more I realized how far removed we’d become from its making. This simple, everyday item had been hidden behind factory doors, its process treated like a trade secret—as if only big companies were meant to know how it worked. It felt distant, untouchable, almost off-limits to someone like me.
But that mystery lit a spark in me. I couldn’t let it go. I needed to understand how something so basic had become so out of reach—and why. That search became the beginning of something much bigger than I expected.
The Long Road to Learning
So I went digging. I searched library shelves. I flipped through encyclopedias. I wandered into herbal shops and asked questions that often led nowhere. I followed every thread I could find, but most of the time, I hit a wall. There were no kits, no tutorials—just silence. And for a while, I thought maybe this wasn’t meant to be.
But then—the internet arrived.
And just like that, the world opened. Recipes, techniques, forums, photos—I drank it all in like a woman who had found water in the desert. I learned not only how to make soap but also how to craft it. I learned about oils and lye, scents and textures, molds and labels. I didn’t just find information—I found something that lit me up inside.
Soapmaking wasn’t just a way to make a living anymore. It became something I woke up thinking about. It gave me purpose, creativity, and joy. It felt like something I was meant to do.
Ancient Roots, Modern Hands
As I kept learning, one detail stopped me in my tracks—the origin of the process itself. I was fascinated to discover that long before commercial bars lined store shelves, Native Americans were crafting their own soap from the resources around them. They would render animal fats and combine them with wood ash, creating a natural form of lye. When mixed with water and slowly cooked, this mixture formed the base of soap. It wasn’t fancy or fragrant, but it was practical, powerful, and rooted in survival and tradition. That ancient knowledge moved me. There was something deeply human about it—something sacred, even. It connected me to generations past, and it made me even more determined to master this craft in a way that honored its origins.
The First Bar
Inspired by that history, I decided it was time to try it for myself. My first batch was definitely the work of a beginner—chunky, unevenly colored, and completely unscented. But it bubbled. It worked. And for that, I was grateful. Holding that first bar in my hand felt like holding a small victory. I had taken raw materials and, with time and effort, turned them into something real. I was so proud—not just of the soap, but of the fact that I had researched, waited, and let time lead me into what would become a huge part of my life. That bar wasn’t perfect, but it marked the beginning of something that was.
Crafting Safely, Creating Beauty
The more I read about soapmaking, the more I realized how dangerous—but entirely possible—it was. Working with lye wasn’t something to take lightly. It took years for me to become truly comfortable with the process. I reached out to others for guidance—though believe me, back then, those connections were few and far between. I asked how to feel safer while making it, especially with a house full of children. I learned quickly how important it was to keep the process completely out of their reach, to dedicate specific equipment for soapmaking only, and to follow each step with care. But I also learned something else: that safety and beauty could coexist. That I could not only make something functional—I could make it beautiful. With every small improvement, I inched closer to mastering a craft that had once felt unreachable.
A Designer’s Touch
Even in those early days, before I had a business name or fancy labels, I knew one thing for certain: once I graduated from college as an interior designer, I wanted my soap to be part of the experience I gave to my clients. I pictured it sitting gracefully on their bathroom sinks—just as thoughtfully placed and beautiful as the space itself. I wanted it to reflect the same care and detail I put into every room I designed. More than that, I wanted it to be the gift I left behind—the “thank you” at the end of a project. Something personal. Something useful. Something honest. A bar of soap that didn’t just clean—it completed the vision.
From Bar to Boutique
The bar of soap I had learned to make had to be just right—safe, gentle, and beautiful enough for all ages. It needed to be something I could trust in my own home, and I knew now, after all that searching and learning, that it could be done. I had finally unlocked the secret. And once I did, I couldn’t stop there. I continued learning how to make shower gels, body lotions, and body powder—each one a new canvas. I studied how to incorporate herbs, minerals, and natural ingredients, discovering the healing and aromatic properties of flowers like lavender, calendula, and rose, or herbs like chamomile and rosemary. The possibilities felt endless, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t just providing—I was creating. I was building something meaningful with my own two hands.
The Name Found Me
It was during this time—somewhere between the scents, the shaping, and the stillness—that the name revealed itself. With each bath, with each quiet moment of testing and making, I began to feel something I hadn’t in a long time: serenity. Not just as a mother or a maker, but as an entrepreneur and a human being. Making soap gave me that serenity—the calm that comes from creating something with purpose, with beauty, with love. It felt sacred. Almost unreal. And so, the name Serenity Soaps and More became a natural extension of everything I was building. I chose it because I knew this journey wouldn’t stop at soap. I wanted to add everything I could dream of—lotions, oils, mists, and more—each crafted with the same heart. Serenity wasn’t just a name. It was the feeling I hoped every person would carry with them after using something I made.
The Gift I Share
I never imagined that a simple bar of soap would lead me here—to a life built on intention, creativity, and care. But it did. And now, every bar, every bottle, and every blend is a piece of that story. Whether you're someone who’s curious about handmade bath products, seeking a gentler product for your family, or simply craving something crafted with real heart—you're welcome here.
Serenity Soaps and More isn’t just a business. It’s a reflection of everything I’ve learned, loved, and lived. I invite you to explore it, follow along, and maybe even bring a little serenity into your own daily routine—one beautiful bar at a time.
If you felt a connection to this story, feel free to share or subscribe. You can find all my latest creations at www.serenitysoapsandmore.com —where every bar has a story.