Meet Your Artisan #2: Richmond Soap Studio

Every Friday we’ll be featuring a different GrowRVA vendor, in their own words, to help build a stronger connection between the artisans at the market and RVA.

This week we’re featuring a vendor who is new to the SOTJ this year, Richmond Soap Studio.  Owned and operated by Rebekah and Joe Kusterbeck since 2009, Richmond Soap Studio uses traditional recipes and real ingredients to make soaps with gorgeous scents and unique, memorable names based on the places that inspire them.  Take, for example,  the Forest Hill bar, “White spruce and lavender with French green clay.  Earthy and flowery = perfectly outdoorsy.”

(If that doesn’t sound like a fabulous Mother’s Day present, I have greatly misunderstood the holiday all these years.*)

***GIVEAWAY:  Like, Share, or Comment on this Post on Facebook, or Retweet on Twitter, and you’re in the running to win a French Lavendar Soap Gift Set!***

1. What is the name of your business, and what do you sell?

Richmond Soap Studio. We sell 100% natural, handcrafted, vegan soaps with a Richmond twist.

2. What’s your most popular item, and why do you think it’s such a hit?

The Soap Of Northern Aggression. It’s a hit because of 1. the name, 2. the grits!, and 3. the awesome smell, reminiscent of a barbershop shave.

3. How long have you been in business? What is something that would surprise people about what you do?

We’ve been in business since 2009. People may be surprised that we do custom soaps. We’ve made specialty soaps for bridal showers, retail promotions, and have even been in stores as far away as Sydney!

4. What other market vendors do you trade with or buy from?

So far this season, we’ve had the good fortune to vend right in between Alchemy coffee and Thinking Of You Creations. Coffee and cookies were bought and bartered for :-)

5. Describe a typical market Saturday for you:

Our Saturday is not as hectic as it might be for growers or bakers. Our soaps have to be cured for 4-6 weeks prior to selling them. So, we have just a few preparations to make for the day of the market. The day is really fun and flies by! We enjoy talking ‘soap’ with both new customers and familiar faces.

*And speaking of Mother’s Day, The South of the James Market will have it’s first ever Kid’s Corner THIS SATURDAY, just in time for the little people to make something for Mom or just occupy themselves while Mom stands in the Yoder’s Donut line.  Look for it in that back left area of the market!