Womanologie is pleased to provide this in-depth look at local entrepreneur Judy Aron of Soap by Judy.

Over the past ten years I have been making soap for my family and friends. A friend of mine taught me how to do it and I have been “hooked” ever since! It was in October 2010 that another friend inspired me to start my business. Her success with her own business was an inspiration to me. I started my company in January 2011 and have enjoyed great steady growth since then. I really love what I do, and I love that I created a business that is flourishing even in this tough economy. I have learned so much along the way, and have shared my experiences with others as well, and I have made many new friends.

I love making handcrafted soap and I love using and selling the soap that I make. Making soap, designing new products and selling them is interesting and just plain fun. For me, there is something truly miraculous that happens when two dubious ingredients, lye and oils, meet to create a beautiful and pure bar of soap. I especially love it when people tell me how much my soap has helped their skin problems or was a much appreciated gift for someone they purchased it for.

Since learning to make soap, I have developed a passion for creating fine handcrafted soap from all natural and organic ingredients, and I love it when people use it and appreciate it. I am awestruck with the color palette and skin healthy results that can be obtained from all natural plant based ingredients. I also love all of the essential oils that I get to work with. They are aromatic and so very good for your body and spirit. I enjoy being able to be creative with combining ingredients and packaging. While one of my favorite soap bars is my chocolate almond bar, I really like them all. Each has wonderful properties all their own. I also love the new body butters and sugar scrubs that I have created. One of the most fun aspects of my job is making custom soaps for people; for their special occasions, or special skin care issues, or for promotion of their business. It’s so interesting to work with my customers to create soap just for them. I also find it satisfying to educate people about the benefits of the ingredients I use in making Soap by Judy products.

What I love most about the soaps that I make is that they feel different, and every bar is one of a kind. Handcrafted soap is genuine, soft, rich and soothing. It takes away the waste on your skin while leaving behind beneficial emollients and rewarding your skin with other fine properties. Commercially produced soap and handmade soap may functionally do the same thing, but I am convinced that we can all do without chemicals and fillers when it comes to bath time. Women especially need to take care and understand what they put on their skin, since they tend to use so many different products. Your skin is the largest organ of your body and is assaulted with a myriad of toxins and environmental debris every day. Your body has to work hard to protect itself from damage and we need to be mindful of what we add to that when we use soaps, and other body products.

Finally, I could not have done all this without the great help, love and support from my family, especially my husband. They have all cheered me on, encouraged me, schlepped boxes to and from events and have been my cheerful test subjects and honest critics. Most of all, I could not have done this without my fabulous customers and business associates. They have made this journey very worthwhile.