It’s not often that someone starts a business primarily to save money on common household items. But that’s exactly what motivated Ellowyn Isaacson to jump feet first into the world of soapmaking.
“I wanted to replace our soap with a more natural alternative, and after seeing the prices on the market, decided it was more economical to do it myself,” she told the Sun. “I’ve been interested in the art of homesteading for years: We homeschool our kids, a lot of things we make are from scratch, we grind our wheat, grow our food, eat as naturally as we can. … Soap is just of an extension of that.”
The mother of six and her husband own a half-acre parcel in Sisquoc. It’s a small property, Isaacson said, but it’s a nice fit for her family. The kids tend the animals (a handful of goats, sheep, and chickens, to name a few) while Isaacson largely focuses on her newly founded business, that is, when she isn’t teaching or milking the goats.
“It’s a little chaotic, but it’s pretty much perfect for us,” she said.
Isaacson opened up shop on March 1 of this year. She’s tried to keep pace with business ever since. Since that date, Isaacson said she sold roughly $5,000 worth of soap and makes anywhere between 200 and 300 bars for sale each month.
“It’s been amazing,” she said.
Foxen Canyon Soap focuses on completely natural, locally sourced ingredients, according to Isaacson. The milk liquid base comes straight from the goats and sheep she milks each morning (some evenings too), while the oil bases range from lard to avocado, olive, and “organic and sustainably sourced” coconut oils. Additives for the soap include ground oats, cinnamon, activated charcoal, beeswax, aloe vera, kelp, and honey.
Isaacson told the Sun her customers would never find any palm or castor oils, or any other ingredient that harms the environment or the people producing it, in her soaps. She said that while essential oils have “powerful qualities,” she simply chooses not to use them.
“No scents or essential oils. Whatever you smell is the smell of ingredients,” she added.
The bars last about an average of four weeks, she said. They can be purchased online at foxencanyonsoap.com or by email at sales@foxenanyonsoap.com. Customers can also call (805) 723-0223 or visit the company’s Facebook page. Parable Candle Company in Orcutt also carries the soap in limited quantities.
According to Isaacson, her product will be available for a long time.
“I’ve just really, really enjoyed the whole process in making our family more self-sufficient,” she said.
Highlights:
• The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for Small and Large Businesses of the Year. “The Chamber’s annual awards program serves as an opportunity for us to identify those who have gone above and beyond in helping to ensure that Santa Maria continues to be the premier community in our region in which to live and work,” the organization stated. All nominations must be submitted to the Chamber by July 1. The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Awards Banquet on Sept. 13. The Chamber is also taking nominations for Citizen of the Year.
• The nonprofit Just Communities will host an open house on Thursday, May 31, at its new office at 120 E. Jones St., suite 127, in Santa Maria. The event will last from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. “Opening an office in Santa Maria is an incredible opportunity to reaffirm the organization’s commitment to ongoing quality programs for youth, parents, schools, and community members and expand those efforts in years to come,” the nonprofit stated.
• Locals can vote for their favorite businesses in the Sun’s annual Best Of Northern Santa Barbara County readers poll now through June 11. Ballots are available in the paper (see page 10) and online at santamariasun.com.
Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week’s Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at spotlight@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 31 – Jun 7, 2018.