Meet the Creator: Building a Business with Purpose, Heart, and Resilience

Hi, I'm Lauren, the one-woman show behind Spring Valley Soapery! I’m 22, a licensed cosmetologist and lash technician, and currently studying data analytics at Western Governors University. I started this business when I was 18, but the idea had been blooming in my mind for years. What began as a mix of curiosity, creativity, and late-night “experiments” with household ingredients turned into a space where I could create something beautiful, meaningful, and all mine.

Spring Valley Soapery isn’t just about soap and candles—it’s a reflection of who I am, how I navigate life, and the kind of future I want to build. Living with chronic illness—both physical and mental—has shaped every part of this journey. I’ve had eczema and fibromyalgia my whole life, and both bring daily challenges. Some days, the pain is so overwhelming I can’t even function. Add in the complexities of mental health, and you have a recipe for exhaustion that most people don’t see.

Despite that, I’ve learned to work with myself, not against myself. My health is a full picture: emotional, physical, and mental, all deeply connected. Pain makes everything harder—and when I’m hurting, my mood, focus, and energy all take a hit. I used to think there was no room for someone like me in the “real world” of work. Traditional jobs just aren’t built for bodies and brains that function differently. But Spring Valley Soapery gives me a way forward. It gives me flexibility, purpose, and the power to decide how I work, when I work, and how I care for myself at the same time.

This business lets me create on my terms. I get to channel my energy into products that are fun, bold, and designed for joy. I’m especially proud of every review, every repeat customer, and every time someone says my products made their day better. My very first order from someone I didn’t know was life-changing—and I still get that same excitement today, knowing that someone out there connects with what I’ve made.

When I’m not working on the business, I’m usually surrounded by plants, music, and the people (and pets) I love. My house is full of greenery—some passed down through my family since I was born (and plenty I’ve collected myself along the way). My guinea pig, Pepper, has been with me for four years now. He’s about five, full of personality, and definitely part of the family.

One of my favorite things is traveling with my boyfriend—we’ve road-tripped all over the U.S. to visit loved ones and explore national parks. I always try to bring home something small from each place, just to hold onto that memory. The Petrified Forest was the most recent, and I’m slowly working my way toward seeing them all.

Music is my escape and one of the biggest parts of who I am. In my school’s band, I played oboe during the year and rotated through other instruments in the summer—trumpet, baritone, clarinet, flute, saxophone, and more. But guitar has always been my favorite. I’ve played for over a decade now, and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. Punk rock has always spoken to me in a way nothing else does—it’s loud, raw, emotional, and real. When I was younger, I dreamed of playing onstage at Warped Tour one day. Even if I’m still building the confidence to share that side of myself with the world, the dream is still there, tucked into the back pocket of my mind.

On a real note, there were times in my life when everything felt too heavy to carry. In 2018, my struggles peaked, and I almost didn’t make it through.

But creating gave me something to hold on to—something that still keeps me grounded. This business is more than a job for me. It’s a chance to build something meaningful, to grow, and to give back. Right now, I donate soap scraps when I can, and my goal is to one day contribute even more—time, resources, and support—for others in need.

Spring Valley Soapery is my future. It’s how I stay grounded, inspired, and hopeful. 

Thank you for being here. Every order, every review, every message of support—it all means the world to me. You're helping me build not just a business, but a life I can thrive in.

With love,

Lauren M. | Founder of Spring Valley Soapery

My note to anyone dreaming of starting a business that is struggling with chronic illness: know that it is possible. It takes a LOT of planning, persistence, and self-compassion—but you can absolutely do it. Research your market, define your brand, and surround yourself with community. Be bold. Never give up.

 

TL;DR? Here’s the short + sweet version:

Hi, I’m Lauren, the founder of Spring Valley Soapery! I’m a 22-year-old licensed cosmetologist, lash tech, and data analytics student who’s been obsessed with creating since I was a kid making “potions” in the bathroom. Living with fibromyalgia, eczema, and mental health challenges means daily life isn’t always easy—but this business gives me the flexibility, freedom, and joy that traditional jobs never could.

I started Spring Valley Soapery at 18 to build something colorful, creative, and kind to both people and the planet. When I’m not handcrafting soap and candles, you’ll find me tending to my houseplants, going on road trips with my boyfriend (national parks are our thing), or jamming out to punk rock with a guitar in my lap and my guinea pig, Pepper, nearby.

Thanks for being here—you’re helping me build something beautiful 💛