HBN Member Success Spotlights

HBN Member Success Spotlights were a big part of HBN in 2002 and 2003. Today, members are featured extensively in our weekly online newsletter, the Handmade Beauty Connection, and in our print magazine, the Handmade Beauty Business Magazine. The spotlights here are dated and many of the companies have grown and changed. We continue to maintain this page because it provides inspiration to small businesses everywhere. If you find a broken link, please let us know. To learn more about this and other HBN member benefits, click here.

HBN members are the cream of the handmade toiletries crop and the most innovative and creative people in the industry. Read these Success Spotlights and you'll immediately see why! Click on the business name below to view the Success Spotlight for that business.

Annabella and Company Creativity Collective, HBN member since February 2002
Alicia at Annabella and Company is truly a "one-woman show." She started her business in 1995 after making salves for her personal use and finding that her gardener friends kept swiping her creations. Her financing was truly "homemade," coming from income earned selling her crocheted handbags. ...

BioChemical International, Florida, HBN member since March 2001
I first met Larry and BioChemical at a trade show earlier this year. I was immediately drawn to his colorful booth with easy to read descriptions of some of their best selling products such as aloe, shea and avocado butters. The experience got even better when ...

Bottles and Jars.net, New York, HBN member since January 2002
It all started when Anne was the owner of a "60's era" shop. After adding handmade soap and lotion to the assortment of products offered at the store, a whole new business concept was born ...

Creekside Soaps, New York, HBN member since April 2000
Susan and Pentti Ryhanen are the industrious husband and wife team behind Creekside Soaps, a part-time family business in Crompond, New York. Susan's full-time job is as a media specialist, while Pentti works in auto body repair. Between the two of them, Creekside Soaps manufactures handmade soap, soap molds, cutter blades and wooden soap dishes. ...

Essential Wholesale, Oregon, HBN member since September 2000
Essential Wholesale in Portland, Oregon, is a growing family owned business that makes and supplies over 50 different natural source cosmetic bases, including lotions, creams, shower gels and body oils. They also supply a large variety of carrier oils, waxes, butters, essential oils, clays and packaging materials to the handmade toiletries industry ...

Fields of Ambrosia, New Hampshire, HBN member since June 2002
After being "retired" for a few years, Deborah Jasien was searching for new ways to enjoy her extensive gardens. At the same time, she became interested in incorporating natural products into her personal body care regime. Her dual quest led her to a soap making pot, which of course led her to wonder if she could make other more luxurious items. ...

Kate's Soap, Florida, HBN member since April 2000
Kate's Soap is a long-time HBN member. Run by soapmaker Kate Krival and herbalist Leslie Williams, Kate's Soap is a full-time business in St. Petersburg, Florida. Prior to starting Kate's Soap, Kate was a speech-language pathologist and Leslie was a writer, herbalist and buyer for a large natural foods store. ...

Sunrose Aromatics, New York, HBN member since April 2000
Rosanne Tartaro of SunRose Aromatics has been a member of HBN since April 2000, and was one of the very first companies to join our membership ranks. Rosanne, formerly with the New York City Department of Corrections, runs SunRose from her offices in New York. ...

Sunshine Garden Soapworks, Wisconsin, HBN member since September 2000
Stephani Halderman of Sunshine Garden Soapworks, a full-time handmade toiletries manufacturer, has been a member of HBN since September 2000. Stephani is a former computer technical support specialist who now makes soaps, lotions, bath salts and lip balms from her offices in Oshkosh, Wisconsin ...

Prairieland Herbs, Iowa, is no longer a member of HBN.