Provide Quality Handmade Goats Milk Products specializing in lotions and soaps, also including all natural bath & beauty personal care products
In April 2012, I decided to get a couple fainting goats for pets. Needless to say, after having them just a few months, I knew it was my passion, I wanted to raise goats. I did a lot of research and ended up deciding on dairy goats concentrating in showing, breeding and then milk. I purchased my first 2 dairy goats in June 2012 and knew I was well on my way in building the quality small herd I have today consisting of Purebred and American Nubians and Saanens. As I said earlier, my original concentration was going to be on showing, breeding then milking and providing animals to local 4H’ers. Well, my first year of showing went well, but I knew it wasn’t something I wanted to do all summer long year after year, so I began thinking outside of the box and once again began my research. I thought of building a creamery to make cheese and soon realized that wasn’t going to be achievable with all the government regulations and costs of licenses, etc. I thought about making soap and purchased the supplies but then winter came and the goats were dry and that didn’t become a reality. Kidding season came and went I strived to keep my herd small because I was still working outside the home full time and knew I wouldn’t be able to financially leave my job to pursue a business or career in goat husbandry.
In August 2013, I ran into a high school classmate who was also learning how to become more self-sufficient by gardening, canning, making her own soaps and cleaning products. It was her who gave me the inspiration to dig out those soapmaking supplies I had bought and try a hand at making some goats milk soap. I started making hot process goats milk soap and after just a couple batches, I knew it was for me. I then created a lotion recipe and the rest is history and that’s how SUDS~N~RUBS by michelle was created. Since then, I started making cold process soaps, lip balms, deodorant, and other personal care products. Then came the time I knew I needed to take the next step, I needed to market my products and not just give them away to friends and family. I went to a couple craft fairs in the Fall and before I knew it I had some regular customers and a lot of new people contacting me for my products. In December 2013, I lost my full time job after almost 7 years of employment. I was devastated, it was 3 ½ weeks before Christmas and I knew this was the opportunity I needed to expand my business. I did just that, I signed up for more craft fairs and events, made a Facebook Page and started advertising my products, I held an open house, I contacted several local businesses to see if they would be interested in selling my products. It paid off, people LOVED my products, they came back for more and referred their friends and family. My little hobby that started out as a way to use up some extra milk and become more self-sufficient has become a thriving small home based business. I am very thankful and appreciative to those who contributed to my success.
I strive to create and produce high quality handmade products (made in my kitchen by ME) that are chemical free and all-natural. Are all my products chemical free? No, I use a preservative in my lotions that is paraben free, and a healthy choice, healthy living, eco-friendly product. I strive to use essential oils and all natural extracts to scent and color my soaps and lotions first, sometimes a specific scent or color is not available, then I use fragrance oils or colorants that are labeled for healthy choices, healthy living and eco-friendly.
In closing, my products are safe and all-natural, made from the heart by me. It all starts with me milking my goats, making the product, labeling and wrapping the items for resale and then marketing them. I hope you enjoy my products as much as I do, Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
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