The fascination for soap making began somewhere around 25 years ago when, my then little girl, Kimber, and I were searching for crafting ideas that we could make together. Soap just happened to be one of the items that we explored. Although our first bars were hideous I realized that we had stumbled onto something big. I discovered that I could not only learn to make it and use it for my own family but sell it and run my own business.
Over time my little girl grew up and found other interests; soccer, academics, dance, modeling and her now husband. I, on the other hand, remained busy with my then current business but continued to practice and held onto the dream that I could create a new business that she and I could share.
We continued to partner ideas and practice the art of soap making. Kimber promoted our soap by offering them as gifts then eventually as a thank you at her own baby shower and me by continuing the curiosity of new recipes, products and the challenge of homemade. My other 5 children also played a large part in the drive of our someday home based business. My other 4 other daughters and 2 sons alike tested, promoted, generated and loved them as well. This is the history behind the company that we are today.
I have always operated my own business. Because I raised my 6 children alone, I found a love in the ability to support my family from my own creative ideas. I lived with the notion that once finding my creative talent, I could practice it to perfection, and then share it with perspective customers. I also knew the value of honesty and good business practice and how important knowledge fit in.
I have (for the most of my life) chosen to live a holistic lifestyle so making homemade soaps fit in perfectly. I’m not a fanatic about alternative medicine or natural eating but I really believe in balance and the concept of choosing organic over chemical. Making soap challenged that thinking because it’s made from lye. After studying the concepts of chemistry I found that everything is chemistry and that some are harmful and some are not. Water for instance is a good example and how it can change the chemistry of lye when cooked with oil. Dangerous? Oh yes, it can be! But when formulating recipes and carefully combining them and using the right equipment, the results are in my opinion.... miraculous!
After years of trial and error, working without a budget, my daughter and I decided to sell our products. For starters we realized that a unique recipe was dire. Making soap is not a new idea; it has been around for centuries so I questioned how I would create a new and different recipe for this luxurious little bar of lather. Although, I found it fascinating that I could I reinvent what already was. Holding onto the mere idea that something so simple could actually clean our bodies put me on a quest to study its history. Once again, and for the next few years, I studied and was able to travel with my business as fuel.
I went to Greece, Italy, France and back to my homeland, Hawaii and to states within the US. I did the research of soaps origin and how to improve its value with herbs and essential oils. My research led me to learning how to incorporate the fragrance from flowers, spices and herbs. I became passionate about how oils could enhance the wonders of soap and how together with scent I could re-deliver what we have been using for years into something more new different and splendid.
My knowledge drove me to nutritional studies. I attended seminars, read scores of books, took college courses, learned from those that would share their knowledge and finally worked in the natural health industry. I spent 3 years working for a Vitamin store and learned how supplementing our bodies with exercise, nutrition and a positive mental attitude could completely change a weak and frail composition into a strong muscular a solid thinking performing body. Incorporating all that I knew together with my knowledge of business and history, Kimber and I paired her knowledge of business, soaping and her incredible love of people and we began our business.
In October of 2010 we opened Serenity Soaps and More. Choosing a name was of course at this day and age (when every single name has already been used) a challenge. We chose Serenity because of its correlation to how we described the bathing ritual. Our concepts and ideas required the name because of how we felt with respects to the personal and sensual time alone spent grooming either at the beginning of one’s day or at the end. I remember thinking during the days of raising my than 6 young children, if I could find the time of pure serenity I would soak in a hot bath and relax.
So Serenity had to be the name, it was taken and every name attached to it was gone, nothing available!! We searched and searched finally we gave in and let God find the name and low and behold the ….And More was our gift from heaven. It was perfect! We knew we had the ideas to expand and grow and we had dreams of how we could make the beautiful ritual of cleansing and grooming more luxurious. So “And More” it was! Without another thought we had a name and we loved it!!!
The concept of bathing is such a personal ritual that is spent with time alone. Thousands of years have taught us that bathing is designed for grooming and caring for oneself in a way like none other throughout our daily tasks. Serenity reminds us to relax, unwind, mediate, focus and what better place than at the end of the day or as our day begins with the fascinating element of the earth, water. We knew that with the products we could create; Serenity Soaps and More will remind everyone to take that moment to pay attention to our own personal needs as we prepare our skin for the night or day ahead.
Our company is now driven by the concept that cultures have brought us this incredible gift of soap and that all over the world civilizations have contributed to the ritual of bathing. We are passionate about being a part of the journey that our past soap artesian gave us. We want to continue to research better ways of bathing and finding new ways to enjoy the experience that we have practiced for so many years.
With the world in mind we are dedicated to explore and created recipes, scents and products to add to an already established idea because although we did not create soap we clearly identify ourselves different from other companies because we are focusing on the bathing ritual itself. We are always centered on creating new products to offer a more beautiful and serene bathing experience for cultures around the world.
Cultures have taught us that oils and scents have been used along with soaps to groom and enhance the beautiful practice of bathing. We want to continue to explore relaxing and exhilarating yet luxurious ways to make bathing more personal and unique. We are always searching cultural bathing to find different yet effective ways to better groom and cleanse our body. Although to date ancient Greece has had the most influence on our products we know it is not the only civilization that contributed to the history of soap. We have learned so much from the British, French, Spanish, Italians, Asians, Africans, Polynesians and the American Indians as well. Over centuries grooming has been part of the human lifestyle and we are dedicated to bring the history and cultures to each and every person we come in contact with.
Regardless, if you are sharing your bed with your partner or sleeping alone, the scent and feel of your skin makes such a personal and grand statement. Ending the day with a clean and scented body not only allows one to relax but it contributes and pares with a beautiful scent for you and or your partner.
Our most recent product is The Royal Dog. It is our impression of a beautiful bath product line for your pet. Made with our own trade mark scent and enhanced with herbs gentle to dogs we are proud to be part of pampering your pup. It included a bath massage bathing soap bar, a gentle liquid bath shampoo and a refreshing mist spray. Your pet is a part of your family and should be loved as such. We are all animal lovers at Serenity Soaps and More so we will continue to provide for our animal family.
I hope this give you an idea of our company and how we promise to strive to grow and grow you with the rich ideas of grooming during the bath time. We are passionate to deliver to you a product that not only brings our love of bath products to you but that you will take the time to love yourself and give yourself a time to relax, unwind, refocus and mediate on the one person than can change a world just like we are inspired to do.
With the love of Serenity Soaps And More in mind we wish you blessings,
Laurie Souza, Kimber Ingolia and our entire family
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