Meet the Founder: From Corporate Burnout to Intentional Living (And How Soap Changed Everything)

Hi there! I'm Jen, the person behind Sea Spray Soap Company. If you had told me a few years ago that I'd be running a soap business from Florida's East Coast, I would have been genuinely surprised. But life has a way of leading you exactly where you need to be.

The Move That Changed Everything 

In 2018, my husband and I made a big decision. After growing up in the Midwest, we packed up and moved to Florida's East Coast. It wasn't just about better weather (though that was definitely a perk), it was about curating a life with intention. We wanted to choose how we spent our days rather than letting days just happen to us.

I continued working in Corporate America for several more years after our move, but the seeds of change had been planted. After nearly two decades in the corporate world, I was experiencing complete burnout. Sound familiar? You're not alone if you've ever felt like you were going through the motions instead of truly living.

The Sensitive Skin Struggle

Here's something that might resonate with you, I have extremely sensitive skin, along with allergies and asthma. If you deal with skin that reacts to everything from soaps to detergents to that one person's perfume three aisles away at the grocery store, you'll understand my journey.

For years, I avoided handmade soap entirely because of a childhood memory of harsh, strangely-colored bars from the 1970s. I thought all handmade soap was like that; rough, drying, and basically punishment for your skin.

Discovering What Really Works

Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong. Modern soap making is like chemistry for people who appreciate quality ingredients and beautiful results. When my husband and I finally tried making our own soap, that first use was a revelation. Clean, happy skin with no irritation, no weird film - just the way soap should work.

What really captured my attention was the simplicity and sustainability. Here was this wonderful product with minimal packaging - just a recyclable paper label - that performed better than anything I'd been buying from big retailers. The quality of ingredients makes all the difference, and I loved the zero-waste aspect. Did you know that switching to handmade soap from liquid body wash can eliminate 20 bottles a year from going in the landfill.

From Bath Products to Laundry Solutions

My journey with essential oils started long before our soap-making adventure. More recently, I've been exploring herbalism, fascinated by how people have been using plant-based remedies for centuries. There's something powerful about reconnecting with these natural approaches that we've somehow moved away from.

Our cleaning line came about through family history. My husband grew up with six boys in the family, and his mother had a time-tested laundry soap recipe that could handle absolutely anything. When we tried to recreate it, we discovered some ingredients were no longer available and others needed updating for modern washers.

After considerable experimentation, we developed a formula that works beautifully with today's machines, handles our challenging Florida hard water, and keeps clothes looking fresh. Our blend includes natural ingredients like washing soda, baking soda, and citric acid; effective cleaning without the phthalates, formaldehyde, and harsh chemicals found in many commercial detergents.

The Reality of Running a Sustainable Business

Let me be honest about sustainability, we're not perfect, and perfection isn't realistic for most small businesses. We're constantly learning and improving, making better choices whenever possible while acknowledging that sometimes budget or availability constraints affect our options.

What we can control is our commitment to intentional decision-making. Whether it's choosing more sustainable packaging, sourcing ingredients responsibly, or offering refill options, we approach each choice thoughtfully. It's like how individuals approach sustainable living – you do what you can, when you can, and keep working toward better solutions.

Why This Matters to You

If you're reading this, you probably understand that self-care isn't just bubble baths and face masks. It's about the small, daily choices that make you feel good about how you're treating your body and environment. It's choosing products that work with your skin instead of against it, and making your everyday routines feel more intentional.

Maybe you're dealing with sensitive skin that reacts to everything. Maybe you're tired of products with ingredient lists that read like a chemistry textbook. Maybe you're working toward more sustainable choices but finding it overwhelming or expensive. Or maybe you're just ready for products that actually work without compromising your values.

You're Not Alone in This Journey

Whether you found us because you're managing sensitive skin, working toward a more sustainable lifestyle, dealing with corporate burnout, or simply wanting products that perform beautifully, we get it. We've been there too.

Sea Spray Soap Company exists because everyone deserves products that work well, feel good to use, and don't require a chemistry degree to understand. We're here for people who read labels, value supporting small businesses, and believe that daily routines should feel intentional rather than automatic.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for trusting us with your self-care routine. It means more than you know. Turn your daily routine into intentional self-care → explore our soaps.

With gratitude and intention,

Jen  - Founder & Product Creator Sea Spray Soap Company

P.S. - Have questions about ingredients or which products might work best for you? I genuinely love connecting with customers and helping you find what works. Don't hesitate to reach out.