SOAP: Madeline Tovar and her family run their own soap-making business.
By Ashley Gore, Staff Writer
Think of a typical family business. You might envision a rustic pizza shop handed down through the generations. The owner’s son buses tables and takes orders until he comes of age and grabs the reins. Perhaps you imagine an old inn that has been family-owned for as long as anyone can remember. Whatever you picture, you probably don’t think of a soap-making business.
Madeline Tovar (10) and her family started making soaps—yes, hand-cleaning, floral-scented soaps—over five years ago. What began as a fun family hobby turned into a full-on business. “My family used to sell at farmers’ markets on the weekends, but now we only sell the soaps online,” Tovar said.
The Tovar family makes their own soaps using what Tovar dubs “the cold-process method.” This process involves an initial two-hour prep time followed by a cure time that takes a little more than a month.
Believe it or not, thousands of people find joy and peace of mind in making their own soaps. Having control over how a product affects your body attracts many people to this sensible activity. Well-known, mass-produced soaps can contain harsh chemicals that rub your skin raw rather than leave it soft and clean as commercials claim. Some soap brands, such as Dove, refer to their so-called soap as ‘beauty bars’ due to the fact that they cannot legally call them soaps; they are actually detergents. Several commercial soap companies also remove the chemical glycerine from their products. Lotions and moisturizers often contain this chemical. Without it, your skin does not receive the moisture it so desperately craves. “We started making soaps because we thought it would be better for our skin…it is!” said Tovar.
With all of the benefits of using natural rather than commercial soaps, the Tovars’ business not only brings them closer together, but it keeps their skin glowing and smooth. You know what they say: “A family that makes soap together stays together!”