Divine Clementine's Soap On A Rope

June 2012 Week #2

Featured Business: Divine Clementine’s Soap On A Rope

Owner/Proprietor:  Curtisha Johnson

Blog: divineclementinesoap.blogspot.com

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Divine-Clementines-Soap-On-A-Rope

Email:  divineclementinesoap@gmail.com

Phone: 404-997-8445

 This week’s small business spotlight is on Divine Clementine’s Soap On A Rope in Atlanta, Georgia.  It is a web-based business, but customers in the Atlanta area do have a pickup/delivery option.  This business was founded in the summer of 2009 after owner and native Memphian Curtisha Johnson was offered to take a soap making class for free.  She jumped at the chance and knew it could be a great way to supplement her income as an independent singer/songwriter/performer.  After a lot of research, including suggestions from some friends, Curtisha has cultivated luxurious all-natural soaps.  When I asked her how her business came into being, this is what she had to say:

“I thought this soap making thing would be perfect for me and my music career. I started out making soap with distilled water but I wanted to set myself apart from other soap makers. I started researching recipes on the net but really nothing spoke to me. One day while visiting a friend that had just given birth, she suggested I make soap with goats milk because she had too much in her freezer and she needed to get rid of it.  I gladly took it! Then I started to research the benefits of using goats milk on the skin and I was hooked.  It actually made me feel like my soap had value and that it could heal people.  It is my goal to continue to make a great healing product and to have the best customers in the universe! I would love for my soaps to have a lasting effect on the planet long after I'm gone.”

Owner, Curtisha Johnson

After using her soaps myself for over a year, I can vouch for the quality of the soap; however, people rarely rely on opinion alone.  So I asked her how the all-natural ingredients in her soaps can benefit people, and in what way.  Her response:

“Goats milk soap is wonderful for people with dry or sensitive skin, or conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. It is also perfect for healthy skin that wants to stay that way. Unprocessed goats milk fresh from the farm contains many benefits.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids- goats milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids such as lactic acid which helps remove dead skin cells from your skin’s surface. This leaves new cells on the surface of your skin that are smoother and younger looking. The alpha-hydroxy acids are so effective because they break down the bonds that hold the dead skin cells together. Removing dead skin cells will help many skin conditions by removing irritation. Water-based soaps may use harsh chemical acids to accomplish this, frequently with skin-damaging results.

Vitamins- goats milk contains many vitamins, but is particularly high in Vitamin A, which is necessary to repair damaged skin tissue and maintain healthy skin. There have been several medical studies showing that creams made with Vitamin A can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, control acne, and provide some psoriasis relief. Water-based soaps can be artificially fortified with vitamins, but most aren’t.

Cream- fat molecules are an important part of making good soap. The cream that is present in goats milk helps boost the moisturizing quality of goats milk soaps. Since many people suffer from dry skin, particularly in the winter months, this is an important quality for soap. Goats milk soap will not dry your skin out like many other soaps. This is important because keeping skin naturally moisturized helps keep skin healthy.

Minerals- goats milk contains important minerals for the skin such as selenium. Selenium is believed by scientists to have an important role in preventing skin cancer. Selenium can also help prevent damage to the skin from excessive time in the sun. Although the water used in other soaps may contain minerals such as calcium, sodium, or iron (commonly found in tap water), that’s not much help when it comes to your skin.”

She obtains her goats milk from a local goat farm in Jonesboro, Georgia.  In addition to goats milk, Divine Clementine’s Soap On A Rope contains other skin soothing ingredients like coconut milk, oatmeal and essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, ylang ylang and peppermint that she obtains from a day spa in Atlanta.  

Soapcicles and Grande bars

 Products available include: $5 soapcicles and $10 grande bars (free shipping on orders of $50 and up)

Lavender Goatsmilk (relaxing and calming scent)
Tea Tree Goatsmilk Oatmeal Cookie(helpful for those with eczema, psoriasis and dry skin)
Peppermint Goatsmilk(helpful for those plagued with allergies or nausea, including pregnancy nausea)

Coco Ylang Ylang with Lavender Flowers (effective for those with excessive stress and anxiety)

All of Curtisha’s soaps, soapcicles and grande bars, are made on a rope.  Why the rope? 

“I put the soaps on ropes because soap melts when kept in moisture. I didn’t want people to spend all that money on my soap and it melt!  After use, when you hang your soap on its rope in a cool, dry place and away from moisture, one grande bar can last up to 2 months!”

www.missionsmallbusiness.com

 In addition to owning and operating this business and being a working singer, songwriter and performer, Curtisha is also applying for a grant through Chase and LivingSocial to expand her business.  In order to qualify for the grant, 250 votes are required.  To vote for this amazing business, please visit www.missionsmallbusiness.com, type in Divine Clementine in Atlanta, Georgia.

 To learn more about Curtisha's soap, go to her blog at divineclementinesoap.blogspot.com.

Orders can be placed online at her blog page, by email or by phone.