Vendor Spotlight: The Joy Soap Company

Around eight years ago, Marisa Kohler began searching for soap and skincare products to help her family’s dry skin. “The [three] kids and I have super dry skin and eczema and I couldn’t find an appropriately priced organic line of soap and skincare products for our whole family,” Marisa explained. “I wanted to see what I could do, so I started researching how to make soap for our family.” After lots of research, trial, and error, Marisa finally created a soap recipe that worked for their skin, had lots of bubbles and organic ingredients. “It took months of learning and failing until we had a bar we all liked, but we were eventually successful!” Marisa said with a smile. “Not only did our skin look and feel better, but the kids loved to help measure the ingredients and pick out new scents.” ​

Once she had found the perfect formula, Marisa began to share her soap with their friends and family, who loved it so much that they encouraged her to start up a business. The Joy Soap Company was officially launched in April of 2018, and has expanded into dozens of soap scents, body lotions, lip balms, hand creams, and face and eye creams. Their soaps use organic ingredients and are eco-friendly in their contents and packaging, which is either recyclable or compostable. “I want to help people and their skin, but I don’t want the packaging to be around longer than I am,” said Marisa. 

The Joy Soap company is proudly a family run and centered business, and Marisa has a big focus on working to make her products accessible. The soap studio is located in their family home, and the kids are closely included in the business. “I wanted them to learn how to run a business from a close vantage point, as I had the opportunity to do while growing up,” Marisa explained. “They help package products, load up for shows, and help out when needed.” In terms of accessibility, Marisa tries to keep the prices as low as possible so that more people can access quality, organic skin care products. She is also very passionate about giving back, and hopes to pass the same mentality over to her children, with 10% of each product purchased donated to help local and global causes.

Although Marisa conducted lots of research when developing her soap recipe, she says that learning is continuous when it comes to running a small business with handmade products. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is if you don’t laugh then everything can be annoying!” Marisa said with a smile. With natural products, sometimes they don’t hold up to extreme elements; a case which happened with her lip balms as they began to melt in customers' cars. “I had to make an announcement regarding that in our first few years,” Marisa said with a laugh. “I try to apologize quickly and do my best to maintain great customer relationships.” In addition to always learning on her own, Marisa said that other vendors are great at sharing the lessons, tips, and tricks they have learned themselves to try and support one another. “I am so thankful for and impressed by our community of small business owners,” Marisa said. “Everyone is super kind and supportive, and I value that so much.”

Marisa told us she loves the support that the Horton Farmers’ Market gives to local small businesses, and the camaraderie that exists between the vendors and the market city staff.  “[The Horton Farmers’ Market] is such a fantastic initiative for small businesses,” Marisa said with a smile. “Seriously, it’s so great! I love that for an affordable price we can showcase our products to our local community.” In addition, like many other vendors, Marisa loves being able to connect with the St. Thomas community, and those who come from outside of St. Thomas to visit the market and see what each vendor has to offer. “I adore getting to meet local customers as well as those that drive to meet me,” Marisa beamed. “It is so wonderful getting to know the people that love your products. It feels like a family where everyone belongs.” 

Marisa encourages people to come out to Horton, chat with the vendors, and explore all the different offerings each week. “You can get to know your community so well and make small shop owners feel so loved and appreciated just by coming to the market,” Marisa said. Showing up to the Horton Farmers’ Market each week is a great way to support the St. Thomas community, even if you don’t end up buying a lot. Coming out, showing your support, and learning about the new vendors and product offerings is a great way to stay informed and connected to the local community; and our vendors are always happy to see you. Many shops, including The Joy Soap Company, also run different offers exclusive to the market, so it never hurts to come by and check them out! 

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Paige Palmer

Paige is happy to be joining the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation as their 2024 Summer Marketing Assistant. She is completing her undergraduate degree this summer with a double major in Media and Communications Studies and Thanatology at Western University and King’s University College. She is excited to help to promote local vendors and businesses this summer, and is looking forward to trying all the delicious and unique produce and products at the Horton Farmers’ Market this summer! Outside of work and school she loves spending time learning about nature, animals, and gardening. ​