We are so excited to introduce you to Abby, the creator of Havenside Bath + Body. Whether you’re trying her Avocado + Cucumber Milk Soap, Mint Condition Salt Bar, Patchouli Orange Lotion Bar, or Refreshing Citrus Lip Balm, you can be sure that you’re getting chemical-free products in earth-friendly packaging! We can’t wait to share Abby’s story with you today!
Hi Abby! Thanks for sharing your story with us today! Can you please tell us a little about yourself?
I am originally from Dallas but I currently live in Austin with my fiancé and our Sulcata tortoise, Pancho. When I am not in the studio making these amazing bath and body goodies, I love to be outdoors, experiment in the kitchen whether that is cooking or eating and to entertain friends and family.
A Sulcata tortoise?! What a cool pet! This past year has been a tough one. Can you share something good that has come out of this time?
Although this year has been really tough for everyone around the world, I have been very blessed to have the opportunity to start this business. With the support from my fiancé, Austin, I decided it was time to share my passion for sustainability and clean ingredients with others. Through this journey, I have been reminded of all the love and support around me from family and friends. Every conversation has meant the world to me, especially during these times where we have not been able to spend physical time together.
This year has been a great one for building depth in relationships, and we are so glad you’ve been able to share your passion with friends, family, and shoppers! Tell us about Havenside Bath + Body! What do you make and how long have you been doing it?
Back in 2018, I made a commitment to reduce my waste and transition into a more natural, sustainable lifestyle. This meant replacing the plastic bottles in the bathroom with handmade soap bars that are packaged with paper instead. I was intrigued with the process of soapmaking that I followed a few soapers on Instagram. That led me to buy a soapmaking kit online to make my first batch of unscented soap and was immediately hooked.
Through making my own soap, I was able to control the ingredients and avoid harsh chemicals and toxins typically found in commercial products. I experimented with different ingredients and their benefits before finding the perfect formulas. My fiancé always joked I should start selling the soap to cover the costs of supplies to continue to support my hobby. But it wasn’t until the summer of 2020 that I decided it was time to turn my hobby into a small business. I officially launched on December 1, 2020, and I am soo proud to have done it! There are definitely those long days while trying to balance it all but I am very happy to have the support of my fiancé who keeps me sane.
The name Havenside comes from the street name of our old house. Although we no longer live in that same house, it will always hold a special place in my heart not only because of all the great memories with friends but also because it is where Havenside Bath + Body was born.
What a cool way to turn your passion into a career! How has your work evolved over time?
My journey started with soapmaking but eventually transitioned into other bath and body products such as lip balms, lotion bars and bath bombs. Each product has gone through rigorous research and multiple testing phases starting with the ingredients all the way to the sustainable packaging. Although you would think I spend the majority of my time making the products, most of my time is spent on the research and testing phases.
Research and testing isn’t glamorous, but we love that you put a lot of thought into the products you’re creating! What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite hat I wear (and as you know there are manyyyyy) is the maker hat. All products are made by hand in small batches using 100% clean, naturally derived ingredients. This means I do not use artificial colorants or fragrance oils with harsh chemicals but instead make each batch using natural plants, herbs, clays and high-quality essentials oils. My only hope is for people to enjoy using these handmade products as much as I enjoyed making them!
We certainly do! If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I love traveling and exploring new places. One of my favorite ways to do so is through the food! If I could go anywhere in the world right now, I would go to Italy, somewhere in the hill country and immerse myself with the culture and food within the small town. My goal is to one day be able to cook pasta and pizza alongside a nonna!
Take us with you! That sounds like a delicious trip! Thank you for sharing your story with us today, Abby! We are so thankful to have you as a maker at Mosaic Makers Collective!
Want to learn more about our makers or shop Havenside? Check out these additional resources:
- Visit our shop in the Bishop Arts District
- Shop Havenside online
- Meet more of our Mosaic Makers on the Blog