Business is bubbling for Lathermore Soap Co.

The success of Lathermore Soap Company, owned and operated by maker Chelcee Cheers-Garrett, is quite accidental.

“I actually started it for mom,” said Cheers-Garrett. “It wasn’t actually going to be a company. It was just kind of a pastime that I was doing and that I was interested in.”

Cheers-Garrett said she created her first batch of soap to help her mother, Teresa Cheers, combat her psorisis.

“She was struggling with all these creams and things she was getting through the doctor, and they weren’t really keeping it in check,” Cheers-Garrett said. “And I told her, ‘Think you’re putting too much on yourself. I think I can make a soap that would help you.’”

And, to her mother’s suprise, she did.

They tested their first batch by delivering samples to friends and family, and requesting feedback.

“They tried it and they really liked it,” said Cheers-Garrett. “From there we made more.”

Lathermore Soap Company

Cheers-Garrett started her company with eight basic bars and a shaving soap. As a former event and concert planner, she hit the road to market her product at music festivals and outdoor concerts.

“You know, people are hot and sweaty, and all they can think about is taking a shower,” she said. “So, there I am, standing there with a bar of soap saying, ‘Let’s take a shower. Here’s a bar of soap.’”

As popularity of her product grew, Cheers-Garrett expanded her line from bars of soap to also include sugar scrubs, bath bombs, body whips, lotions and creams. As she educated herself on natural ingredients and colorants, she started experimenting with their look and fragrance combinations.

Despite the change in their appearance – going from a more traditional look to one that is swirled and layered in colors, Cheers-Garrett is staying true to using only all-natural, vegan-friendly ingredients.

“In all honesty, we are accidentally vegan,” she explains.

Cheers-Garrett said she is a firm believer in coconut oil based on her experience using it in her own beauty regimem and liked that it is sustainable.

“I think less is more, so, I really tried to strip it down,” Cheers-Garrett said. “If I can make this out of plant-based items, I am going to keep doing that.”

Cheers-Garrett said the market for soap makers who produce soap using animal byproducts, such as goat’s milk and beef tallow, is saturated.

“There’s just not a lot of people specializing in high-quality vegan products,” Cheers-Garrett said.

Cheers-Garrett said she also will not make liquid soap or shampoo, because the process requires too many chemicals.

“There’s plenty of people that do them, but, we’re staying true, Cheers-Garrett said. “It’s where we started, where we grew a little bit, and we’re going to stay where we are at.”

Her customers

Cheers-Garrett said she believes her customers enjoy knowing they can talk to her if they have questions about a product or its ingredients.

“It builds that sense of community that you gain when buying from a small business and that you lose when you’re constantly buying online or picking something off the store shelf,” she said. “People are happy to be able to talk to the person who is making what they are putting on their bodies.”

As she has recieved feedback on how her products perform for her customers, Cheers-Garrett has expanded her line this year to include facial care with scrubs, masks, moisturizers and tonic sprays.

She said most of her sales from from gift purchases.

“It’s nice to hear that they are confident in our products and enjoying our products. So much, they are giving our products as gifts to their family and friends,” Cheers-Garrett said. “I think that’s awesome to see. That’s a true testament that someone really believes in it.”

Where to find Lathermore

Lathermore Soap Company hosts a weekly pop-up shop 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday at 615 S. Chestnut St. in Creston. The Lathermore collection can also be found every other Saturday at the Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market or online at www.lathermore.com.