Meet the Maker

Hello! I'm Lauren, the one-woman maker behind Spring Valley Soapery. Every product I create is made in small batches by hand, featuring bold colors, intentional ingredients, and a great deal of care. I approach crafting products the same way I approach everything in my life—with curiosity, intention, and a deep love for learning. Every batch is a chance to experiment, refine, and create something that genuinely helps someone feel cared for. Spring Valley Soapery is more than a business to me—it’s an extension of who I am.

Where It All Began

Spring Valley Soapery didn’t just appear out of nowhere. I started it when I was 18, while attending cosmetology school, but the roots go back much further than that. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved mixing “potions,” baking, doing at-home experiments, and finding joy in the science behind beauty. I was the kid who dyed her hair fun colors, played with unique makeup looks, and spent every dollar I had on soap, lotion, candles, and anything that made self-care feel magical. That curiosity shaped my entire path.

What I’ve Studied and Why It Matters

Today, I'm a 23-year-old licensed Cosmetologist and Lash Technician in both Illinois and Wisconsin. While that may not seem entirely relevant on the surface, these are all studies I pursued because I genuinely love understanding people, beauty, and the science behind how products can either support us, or damage us, and the environment. 

Beyond any degrees I have, I have extensively researched product formulation, biology,  chemistry, sustainability, business, marketing, and so much more. I do have some relevant certifications in these fields as well, and I am continuing my education every single day. Just like me, Spring Valley Soapery will never stop improving. 

All of this knowledge combines and directly shapes how I formulate: safer ingredients, gentler products, and thoughtful decisions backed by research—not trends or guesswork.

Why I Built Spring Valley Soapery

Although I’m trained in these areas, I’m currently unable to work a traditional job. I’m disabled, and the reality is that most workplaces aren’t built for people like me — but my business is. Spring Valley Soapery gives me something precious: the ability to work in a safe, controlled environment at my own pace while still creating something meaningful and high-quality for others to enjoy.

And because this business makes my life possible, I put everything I have into making it extraordinary.

Crafting With Purpose

I don’t just make products — I study them. I’m constantly learning through books on cosmetic formulation, chemistry, biology, sustainability, and environmental impact. I care deeply about what goes on our skin and into our environment, and I’m committed to crafting products that are safe, gentle, and joyful for as many people as possible.

Every product is:

• cruelty-free
• vegan
• paraben-free
• phthalate-free
• made with sustainably sourced ingredients
• packaged with reused, recyclable, or compostable materials
• handcrafted in small batches
• created with intentional, skin-loving formulations

All made by me.
All made for you.

What Spring Valley Soapery Stands For

My biggest goal is simple:
To create self-care products that are effective, safe, and enjoyable to use. 

Just because that is a simple concept doesn't mean that Spring Valley Soapery is not multi-faceted. 

I personally believe that the best products come from a thoughtful balance of science and nature. I don’t chase trends or agree with the idea that everything must be fully natural or fully synthetic. I focus on what works and what feels good on real skin. Somewhere in the middle is where my formulations thrive.

Every product I make is completely unique in both design and formulation. No two bars look the same, and every swirl, color palette, and scent story starts in my imagination before coming to life through careful craft and experimentation, all done by hand.

Beyond the products themselves, I greatly value my community and the planet as a whole. I aim to give back as much as I can, not just from my business, but in my personal life too.

I believe that small actions add up to something much bigger. If you've ever said, "I'm just one person! I can't possibly make a difference." Just remember how many other people are saying the exact same thing. You have to be the change you want to see in the world; no one else is going to do it for you. 

That is why I am trying to lead by example. I am going to continue to help as much as I can, getting better every day, and you can too! You don't have to try to do everything at once; if you just make small changes over time, I think you'll be surprised at how big of an impact you can have. 

Who My Products Are For

Spring Valley Soapery is perfect for people who:

• want products that are gentle, effective, and safe for sensitive skin
• love bold colors, fun designs, and scents that feel joyful instead of boring
• care about sustainability and low-waste packaging
• enjoy shopping small and supporting independent makers
• appreciate creativity, craftsmanship, and thoughtful ingredients
• are tired of harsh, drying, or overly “natural” products that didn’t work
• want bath and body products that feel like a treat, not an afterthought
• want a daily self-care routine that actually feels exciting again

Finally, my soap is for people who want to use real soap! That may sound silly, but most soap you find at the store is not real soap; it is usually comprised of detergents and fillers; that's a topic for another blog post, though. 

A Commitment to Quality

I struggle with sensitive skin myself, so I formulate everything with that in mind. My products are designed to feel good, smell amazing, and add joy to your day — without harsh ingredients.

My style is bold, colorful, and completely unique. At the end of the day, it is art, and you simply can’t find what I make anywhere else.

Behind the bright colors and fun designs is real craftsmanship: carefully measured ingredients, tested recipes, refined techniques, and a dedication to quality that grows with every batch.

I take customer feedback seriously. Every review is read, appreciated, and used to help me continually improve. Even though I work alone, I work very hard to process and ship orders quickly, pack them carefully, and make sure every experience feels special.

Life Beyond the Soap Studio

When I’m not creating, you’ll usually find me tending to my plants and garden, baking something warm and cozy, reading history and science books, watching silly shows in pajamas, cleaning and refreshing my space, enjoying time with the people and animals I love, reconnecting with music (the first art form I ever fell in love with), and of course, indulging in my self-care routine.

I try to find joy wherever I can, even on the hardest days. Creativity grounded me during some of the darkest moments of my life, and building this business provided a stable foundation for growth when everything else felt uncertain.

Community Matters

I care deeply about my community. Whenever possible, I donate soap, clothing, food, and time to shelters, local organizations, and individuals in need of support. I’m not wealthy — I struggle too — but I believe in the power of strong communities. Even a small contribution can make a meaningful difference.

Why Your Support Means Everything

When you choose Spring Valley Soapery, you’re not buying from a huge corporation. You’re supporting me. I am my small business, and I built it with intention, education, passion, and love. You’re supporting a creator who puts care into every ingredient, every swirl, and every package. You’re helping me support myself, help others, and continue building something beautiful and meaningful.

Spring Valley Soapery is my future.
It’s how I stay grounded, inspired, and hopeful.
And I’m so grateful you’re here, because you’re part of that future too.

With love and gratitude,
Lauren M. | Founder of Spring Valley Soapery

A Note to Anyone Dreaming of Starting a Business

It is possible. It takes patience, planning, flexibility, and a lot of self-compassion, but you can build something at your own pace that brings you pride and purpose. You don’t have to fit into traditional work to succeed, you just have to allow yourself to grow in the way that works for you.

Success isn’t guaranteed for anyone, but doing your best, staying curious, and maintaining a positive outlook can absolutely change your life. Your path might look different, but that doesn’t make it any less worth pursuing.

TL;DR (Short + Sweet)

Hi! I’m Lauren, the 23-year-old founder of Spring Valley Soapery. I am a one-woman run business, built on creativity, science, and bold handmade beauty. Every product I create is vegan, cruelty-free, sustainable, and handcrafted in small batches with intentional ingredients and unique designs you won’t find anywhere else.

I started this business at 18 after years of being obsessed with beauty, science, and self-care. I’m disabled, so a lot of traditional jobs are not in the cards for me, but this business gives me the freedom, purpose, and joy to build a life that works for me. When I’m not creating, some of the things I like to do are reading, gardening, and baking.

Thank you so very much for being here! Your support means more to me than I could ever express, and helps me build something truly beautiful and sustainable. 💛