When I meet someone for the first time, I am usually asked “How did you get interested in making soap?” It’s a hard question to answer. All science things interest me, and making soap is science. I was intrigued by the idea that you can take two totally different things, oil and a base, and make a completely different substance. It’s like magic.
There wasn’t a lot of extra time in my life with a full time job and a family, to explore soap making. In 1998, I was working in a Physician Office Lab as a Medical Technologist. I loved my job, the staff and the patients. But changes in the health care system made it too expensive for the doctors to keep the lab open. I found a new job in a school system as a Science Materials Coordinator, and followed a school calendar. For the first time since I was a student, I had the summer off and I wanted to do something productive. I went to the library and took out a book on soap making. Deciding to use beef fat for my first batch, I went to the butcher and rendered the fat into tallow. I quickly realized I could use different oils instead of beef fat, and made soap the whole summer.
The start of Alegna Soap®
By 2008, both my children had graduated from high school, then college and moved out of the house. I decided it was my turn to do what makes me happy. My son designed a website for me and I start playing around with different recipes, ingredients, colors and designs. Since fragrance oils give me headaches, I start using different essential oils to scent the soaps. I realize I love to blend scents, and took some perfuming classes too. My dad made me my soap boxes and drying racks. I joined the Handcrafted Soap Guild and Indie Business Network and I learned as much as I could about running a business. I haven’t looked back.
So “How did I get interested in making soap?” I guess I still can’t really answer, except to say I always have been and I’m very glad I am.
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
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