Paula Wimsatt beams when she talks about her small family-owned-and-operated business, Wimsatt Soap Co. & Bath Boutique. “I truly love handcrafting products that make people happy! I love the small hometown businesses in New Albany, Indiana,” she says.
“We love our customers and the relationships that we have grown over the years. We treat everyone like family.”
“We love our customers and the relationships that we have grown over the years. We treat everyone like family.”
It all began in 2015, when Wimsatt, a Louisville native, who now lives in Jeffersonville with her husband, Brent, started making soap and bath bombs with her granddaughter, Shylan Rose, as handmade holiday gifts for family and friends. Wimsatt is the mother of four and grandmother of five.
From there, Wimsatt’s vision began to grow. In 2016, they began testing candle vessels, soy wax, fragrances and wicks to meet the demand for natural soy candles. That same year, they also began selling at craft shows and farmers’ markets.
The next year brought a huge change, when their first storefront opened in Jeffersonville. Online sales also became part of their offering.
The move to Historic Downtown New Albany in 2018 allowed for a much larger storefront, and that is where they are currently located, at 225 Pearl St. They also offer online shopping, free curbside pick up and free local delivery.
Today, Wimsatt Soap Co & Bath Boutique offers a variety of artisan handcrafted soaps, lotions, and face and body scrubs, along with aromatherapy soy candles, wax melts and so much more. The boutique offers pajamas and other wonderful gifts.
Wimsatt Soap Co & Bath Boutique offers a variety of artisan handcrafted soaps, lotions, and face and body scrubs, along with aromatherapy soy candles, wax melts and so much more.
Wimsatt also shares, “Tragically, Shylan was just 3 years old when she was taken to heaven by way of an automobile accident. We keep the joy and her creative inspiration by creating the kids’ soap and toy workshops.”
Specializing in party favors, creative workshops, corporate gifts, wholesale orders and fundraising, the company has many options to fit a customer’s needs. They also now have 12 wholesale and private label accounts.
Over the years, the number of handcrafted soap and bath and body makers has grown tremendously, and Wimsatt is always happy to answer questions for new soap makers to help them along their journey.
Wimsatt currently offers three different workshops each week including a Soy Candle and Wax Melt workshop, a Kids Toy Soap workshop, and a Melt and Pour Soap workshop.
Wimsatt currently offers three different workshops each week including a Soy Candle and Wax Melt workshop, a Kids Toy Soap workshop, and a Melt and Pour Soap workshop.
When asked about her favorite memories through the years, Wimsatt shares thoughts about her first wedding show at the Pepin Mansion in 2016. “It was a really fancy show and I was a nervous wreck thinking my handmade products were not up to par. Surprisingly, I sold every item!”
Another major accomplishment is the collaboration between the Volunteers of America Freedom House Women’s Addiction Recovery Program that has launched their “Soap with a Promise” Program.
The Freedom House provides residential treatment program for alcohol- and/or drug-dependent pregnant women and women with young children, and the Wimsatt Soap Co. loves being able to give back to the community. The company donates soap and additional gift baskets to the women upon arrival to Freedom House, to give a little something extra to the women and families to pamper themselves.
The company donates soap and additional gift baskets to the women upon arrival to Freedom House, to give a little something extra to the women and families to pamper themselves.
For every four bars of soap sold, they donate one bar of soap to the local nonprofit organization. It may sound simple, but these donated soaps add up quickly and make a big difference in someone’s life. So far this year alone, 78 bars have been donated.
The company also offers a unique fundraising program for local organizations, churches, schools and charities. The program is customizable with candles, lotions, and/or body scrubs. Candles are the most favored option, with selections of up to 10 fragrances. Inquiries for the program can be sent to info@wimsattsoapco.com.
“I really love my little hometown soap and candle business. My passion is to source and provide quality ingredients to make products that are natural and good for your skin. We are super excited to have a small business in this community and be able to offer products that aren’t widely accessible in this area. Our customers inspire us every day!” •
For more information, go to wimsattsoupco.com or attend the holiday open house on Thursday, November 5, from 5-8 p.m. Note: All workshops are limited capacity, and walk-ins are not accepted. Private workshops and parties outside of normal business hours are offered. For more info, call 502-544-7014.
Story by Carol Ubelhor Troesch
Photos by Michelle Hockman
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