if you type your e-mail, you'll have to write "soapgranny," and when you get an answer, it will list its title as a soap Barman. It is clear, Maggie Hanus, the brain behind A Wild soap, knows (and loves!) His soap.
Surf on its website, and you'll find soap made with everything under the sun Texas: sunflowers, yucca root, wildflowers, pecan pralines, wild carrots, Mesquite, and much more. Maggie We asked to tell us more about the importance of all natural soaps, and it gave us a wealth of resources we are pleased to convey to you.
Co-op America: Where are you and what your company?
Maggie Hanus: A Wild soap is a family-owned micro-enterprises spread over 20 wild and wooded acres near Austin, Texas. I taught myself to hand soap in 1995, in the kitchen of our owner-built log house and have not been able to stop since! Our passion is to provide you with truly natural products that are safe for all living beings and a joy to use while awareness of the environmental necessity, economic value, natural beauty and therapeutic properties of wild plants. To do this, we donate a portion of our profits each year at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and United Plant Savers.
Five Soaps
Five shades of green.
What makes Green your business?
Maggie: Unlike many so-called "natural" soapmakers, we have never used toxic synthetic fragrance oils to scent our products. We only use pure essential oils, the way Mother Nature. Each original recipe also includes wild plants, organic plants, natural dyes, healing the earth and clay. Our products do not contain sodium lauryl sulfate or Laureth, synthetic dyes, antibacterial triclosan, parabens, phthalates, TEA, preservatives, artificial foam booster, or other petro-chemicals. With all the good things, and none of the bad. . . we make it easy to be clean and green!
We strive to run our business in an environmentally and socially responsible. We re-use all the boxes and packing material that we receive and use of biodegradable cornstarch packing peanuts. All publications and product labels are printed on recycled ink-100% post-consumer waste paper. We recover the steam that accumulates in our room drying soap and use this pure distilled water as the basis of our liquid soap. Our natural products are biodegradable, without cruelty, for most vegans (we use raw wild honey, goats milk and unbleached beeswax in a few formulas) and the least packaged or unpackaged at all. In addition to reduce, reuse and recycle, we offset 100 percent of our manufacturing and shipment of carbon emissions with Carbonfund.org and encourage other companies to do so. Our employees enjoy a peaceful, safe, rural working environment, flexible hours, a living wage, and creative input in company policies.
Maggie's Workshop
Maggie's Mixology studio.
What were you doing before you became a green business owner?
Maggie: Before diving into the soap business full time, I ran a YMCA Afterschool program for about 80 children in our local primary school. I really enjoyed working with children, but I must say that soapmaking is generally less stressful and much quieter for sure!
What were some of the greatest challenges to maintain high standards of social and environmental responsibility?
Maggie: One of the biggest challenges we face is the local and sustainable supply of raw materials and we are constantly looking for ways to improve the situation in this area. Another problem that I face is trying to wear too many hats. Building a successful business from scratch is an incredible amount of work and I warn people to take a cold hard look at all that it implies before thinking that you create your own small business and pleasure get rich quick . I work a minimum of 60 hours per week, usually more. Good thing I love what I do!
What was your moment of glory as a green business owner?
Dog Soap
For cleaning Spot.
Maggie: See our family of products on the shelves of major health products and grocery chains is certainly gratifying, but how our natural products have helped countless people with skin sensitivities and the problems of chronic skin is the real repay.
When they realize that synthetic chemicals in the products they have been slathering on themselves are actually causing them harm and they make the transition to truly natural, though. . .. you just feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing that you helped so many people (and environment) in a meaningful way. We are also proud of our natural dog shampoo bars. They have helped a large number of dogs with chronic skin problems and their owners are always very grateful. When people return to keep more, you know that you have a good thing going.
What is the most hopeful sign that you've seen recently of the green economy?
Maggie: The tendency to integrate natural and organic products body is exciting. At the same time, there are many unscrupulous businesses that are hopping on the bandwagon by adding a pinch of herbs biological and botanical-a poll to name their conventional toxic synthetic products, so buyer beware . Your best defense is to read labels and to inform you. Learn what ingredients are safe, those who are truly natural, what it means to be USDA certified organic, and what products to avoid. Some useful resources are www.naturalingredient.org, www.cosmeticsdatabase.com and www.organicconsumers.org / body / index.cfm.
What advice would you give the green starting entrepreneurs?
Maggie: My best advice for budding entrepreneurs green is to think big but start small. You're unlikely to integrate all the greens in principle of your business off the bat. Take steps to babies, do what you can feel good about your achievements, and make all business decisions with sustainability and the bigger picture in mind.
What's next green you are working on right now?
Maggie: The next step for A Wild green soap is to develop a line of USDA-certified organic products and to obtain organic certification for our manufacturing plant. Organics are the wave of the future, and we expect to be a part of it.
What green product can you not live without?
Maggie: I simply can not live without my Lafe Natural Crystal Deodorant Stick (any more than anyone I want)
