Today we’re talking to McKenna Rees from Stone River Soaps. Over the course of the last four years she’s perfected her recipes for artisan goat soaps, even milking her goats by hand!
Check out the full interview below, and be sure to visit the Stone River Soaps Etsy shop for more details about her soaps. You can also follow her work (and see more gorgeous photos) on her Instagram and Facebook pages!
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Tell us about yourself. What do you make?
I am someone who doesn’t sit still very well. I love adventure and nature. I feel like a good life is a productive life.
I make goat milk soaps, and I love the whole process of my business. There are the everyday chores of going out and doing maintenance and caring for my farm animals. Then the milking of my goats (by hand) in the summers.
The process ends with packaging and shipping the final products. Hopefully the customer enjoys what I make and returns for more!
Tell us about your workshop
I actually work from my home. I turned the home office into my soap shop and office. I make all the products in a space in my kitchen.
How long have you been doing your craft? Who taught you or where did you learn?
I’ve been making soaps since the summer of 2016. I am self taught. I did lots of online research and then trial and error throughout the years.
Read also: Best soap making kits
Any advice for beginners to your craft?
Spend the time learning all that you can. Realize it is an evolutionary process so things will change and improve and your business will grow slowly.
Also, come up with a brand or unique style. Presenting engaging, quality photos helps, too.
Who/what inspires you? Any shoutouts to fellow makers?
So many people inspire me! Don’t let your light be dimmed because you never know who you might be inspiring!
My favorites are:
- Muddy Mint (@muddymint)
- Milked (@shopmilked)
- Rough Cut Soap Co. (@roughcutsoapco)
- Sanford Soap & Candle (@sanfordsoapandcandle)
- Awkward Auntie (@awkwardauntie)
- Ashley Marie Soap (@ashleymariesoap)
- and many more!
Anything stories you’d like to share?
Once when I was trying to do a live video about my Billy goat he started peeing all over me! It was really funny and I had to stop my video and delete it!
Billy goats stink so badly. Mine is sweet but still so gross!
Also I’ll share my favorite quote: Have courage and be kind!
You can find more pictures of McKenna’s work on Facebook and Instagram, or purchase her soaps on her Etsy store Stone River Soaps.
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