Take a deep breath and relax, because today we’re featuring a maker whose products promote a sense of calm and comfort. Kimberly’s business, Salted Sanctuary Soap, creates handmade soaps for sensitive skin in delicious scents like Lavender Lulu, On a Lost Desert Highway, and Rosé All Day! We’re so excited to share Kimberly’s journey with you today!
Hi Kimberly! Thanks for sharing your story with us today. Can you tell everyone a little about yourself and your business?
My name is Kimberly Bien and I own Salted Sanctuary Soap. Salted Sanctuary Soap sells handmade soap and skincare products made with skin loving ingredients. I started my handmade journey because I have sensitive skin and am allergic to many preservatives found in big box brands. In 2012 after realizing that was an issue for others, Salted Sanctuary Soap became an official business. The name Salted Sanctuary is a play on words. Salted coming from Salt referring to worth or worthiness, and Sanctuary meaning safe place; Salted Sanctuary Soap = Worthy Refuge for Your Skin. I’m passionate about ingredients that can be absorbed through the skin and that is my why. I love my Soapy Friends (customers) and love it when they share how their skin has improved when using Salted Sanctuary Soap products.
I live in North Texas with my Hubs and two Papillons pups named Freddie Mercury and Barry Manilow. We recently purchased a new home in Krugerville and will be building an expanded studio for Salted Sanctuary Soap. This new studio will be focused on workflow.
When I’m not in my studio creating soap and skincare products, I love to cook, travel, paint, and garden. I’m also creating something and eventually realized that was art. In 2017, I became a Master Gardener. I enjoy growing flowers and herbs that I use to cook with and in my products, and a salsa garden. Most of my inspiration comes from the earth, travel, food, and sometimes music. I’m a Studio Art major at TWU and am working on a painting of a beach in Mexico so I’ll have a beach soap again this year.
What an incredible journey of creativity! We’re so grateful that you decided to share your soaps and skincare products with the world! This past year has been a tough one. Can you share something good that has come out of this time?
2020 brought many challenges. My business has been show based and when that shut down, I pivoted to online sales. Now I’m venturing back out into markets and shows and revamping some processes. The Handmade Community has been my rock!
It’s so exciting so see some shows popping back up alongside the online options! What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
The best advice I’ve ever been given is to have multiple sources of revenue. For me that is selling online, at shows, and wholesale.
Diversification of income streams is so important! Why did you get involved with MMC?
I learned about MMC though The Weekender Shop. We met at a show in Saint Jo a few years back and then her goods were in a shop that mine were in Denton. I’m honored to be part of MMC that supports female makers and artists.
We’re so glad to have you as a part of our community! Aside from visiting MMC, what’s your favorite thing to do in the Bishop Arts District?
Before I peruse the unique shops in the Bishop Arts District, I like to fuel up with a chickpea empanada and a cafe latte from Espumoso Cafe.
Sounds like perfect fuel for a shopping trip! If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
We hope our next travel destination is Spain. I can’t wait to take in the beautiful landscapes, food, art, and culture.
We hope you make it there someday soon! We have no doubt it will inspire another gorgeous Salted Sanctuary Soap product. Thanks so much for sharing your story with us today. We are so grateful to have you as one of our amazing makers at Mosaic Makers Collective!
Want to learn more about our makers or shop Salted Sanctuary Soap? Check out these additional resources:
- Visit our shop in the Bishop Arts District
- Meet more of our Mosaic Makers on the Blog