About SoapyZen

Soapy Zen's Owner and Soapmaker

Hi there and thanks for stopping by. My name is Sally and I am the owner and master of messes at Soapy Zen. I started creating soap at the end of 2016 and I officially opened Soapy Zen in August 2022.

A little bit about me, I am a Mom to 4 little humans, a dog mom to Lola-girl, a wife, and a Materials Chemist. I love volunteering, cooking, and being outdoors. I also love being active, learning from mistakes, and being my husband's favorite goofball.

Born in the Missouri countryside, my parents raised me to respect nature and love all humans. I matured with a wide-eyed view of the world and felt out of place in its harsh reality. Consequently, I have worked hard to fit in most of my life.

I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Pacific Lutheran University and a Master of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of Oregon. As a materials chemist in the industry, I developed and optimized products for the bottom line. Most large manufacturers who produce their products using conventional methods have a bottom-line mentality. I soon realized that being a scientist in industrial manufacturing was not for me. I felt like a square peg in a round hole.

I have worn many hats;  nanomaterials researcher, serving in the military, working in a bank, and helping kids as a pediatric dental assistant. My all-time favorite hats are Mom and Scientist.

As an adult, I still hold tight to my childlike wonder of nature and all humankind. I formulate products to help people smile and feel happier in their skin. For every product made, I leave a part of myself in it. I believe products are better when made from the heart. I hope my small batches of soap and skincare brighten your day!

Soapy Zen's Mission Statement:

Soapy Zen's mission is to create handmade body care with an ethical, environmentally conscious, and high-quality skincare approach. Our small-batch artisan soaps were inspired and created in beautiful Minnesota. At Soapy Zen, we make soaps using the cold process method. Nourishing oils, cocoa butter, and shea butter are saponified by a strong base (lye) to create the precious final product: natural soap. Soapy Zen uses only high-quality ingredients: ethically sourced oils and butters, natural clays, milk, phthalate-free fragrance oils, mineral oxides, micas, and botanical colorants.