Why Small Businesses Matter
Shop small, do big things for your community
Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story!
You're IT The Rustic Ridge Bath Co.!
Four questions with Mariela Winter, founder of The Rustic Ridge Bath Co.
Why did you start your business?
I started creating my own soap in 2008 when my son was born. He had sensitive skin along with allergies and nothing seemed to work. I have always loved creating things so it made sense to look into creating soap. It was a lot of trial and error but eventually, I figured out what ingredients worked on his skin.
Not only did I learn to create my soap from scratch I truly enjoyed it and started giving them out to friends and family as gifts. In 2018 I officially started my business and sold my soap in stores. I started with soap and lip balms and now I have body butter, bath bombs, bath salts, and candles.
What is your best-selling product/service?
My best-selling product is a tie between our handcrafted artisan bar soaps and our soy candles in our concrete vessels that are made in our studio.
How many local businesses do you use to support your business (products and services) and can you name them?
I use Squash’s for anything from printer paper to pens to sticky notes. I love to go to Tazza for business meetings. I use Deborah Ann’s for wrapped chocolate and candies to add to orders I ship. I use Ridgefield hardware for cement to create the vessels for my candles. Audrey Road is one of our stockists. They carry my entire line of products from our soaps to candles to wax melts to lip balms to body butter and even our bath bombs.
When I first started my business I started with a variety of soap bars and candles in glass jars. I knew early on that I wanted to expand my product line. Today, I offer our classic soaps as well as seasonal soap bars, candles in concrete vessels (that we make in our studio) as well as a variety of bath products such as bath bombs, bath salts, lip balms, and body butter.
Mariela would like to nominate Audrey Road to be featured next!
Visit The Rustic Ridge Bath Co. online here, and make sure to check out their Facebook, and Instagram pages as well!
In need of a custom order for wedding/shower or birthday favors? email therusticridgebathco@gmail.com
HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!