Meet Rebecca Halsema | Artisan Soap Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Halsema and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My whole business blossomed from the MLM essential oil trend many years ago. It never felt right to be a part of a multi-level marketing/pyramid scheme no matter how many times my sponsor asked me to host parties and sell kits. So, I started using my artistic mind to make roller bottles for essential oil blends I mixed. I put in a ton of research on how certain oils work together along with their valuable properties and I wanted to help others utilize them as well. I finally had a way to share the value of essential oils as well as education about cutting harsh chemicals out of people’s daily lives without asking them to spend a ton of money on overpriced kits. As the “use essential oils for everything” trend fizzled out, this turned into making my essential oil blends for soaping. Which is much more complex than it sounds! From there my business turned a corner, still utilizing essential oils, but also providing a different more sought-after product. I must say this was the coolest way for me to utilize my creativity with soap designs of all different colors, additives, and techniques, while also keeping my methodical mind sharp because cold-process soap making is not for your average crafter.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My day job is healthcare. I have been working in radiology for almost 12 years now both in x-ray and CT, which has been quite a trip. This business really saved me from my professional career eating my heart and soul away and still does to this day. My poor little store launched in December of 2019 and we all know what happened 4-5 months later… Looking back on where I started versus where I am, I can definitely say that being given a way to focus my energy on something that is not always being at work, or the terrible things I have seen there, is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have always been an artistic person. In grade school I took art classes, I was obsessed with colors and drawing. Not a single paper I ever turned in was without a doodle. though they were not the best they made me happy. I think that really translated into me as an adult. Creativity gives me joy and though this is not a conventional method of art, making soap has such a wide variety of colors, scents, additives, recipes, and so much more. Not a single bar is ever the same when you work with the colors and designs I do. There are a few soaps that will always make their way back to my store, but the best part about doing this is I can make whatever unique little piece of art my heart desires and most importantly I get to share it with all of you!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A week-long trip to my area is so easy to plan, being that it’s one of the top tourist spots in northern Florida. My favorite part of any trip is the food and there are so many spots here on the Emerald Coast! I live in a little area called Fort Walton Beach, which is nestled between Destin and Pensacola (you’ve probably heard of them, if not you better start planning your next vacation now). First and foremost, catching the sunrise at the beach is a must and out of all the beaches, you will find nothing beats Okaloosa Island or Navarre Beach. Okaloosa Island is my favorite haunt (last access on the beach road down by El Matador Complex) because it’s 15 minutes away from my house. Okaloosa Island is actually my main inspiration for the store branding. Even with a ton of people on it, you won’t find a better place to relax. While you’re down in that area we could go to Rockin’ Tacos for a great view + food, walk down the Pier, sit at a Tiki Bar, or check out the bay side and eat at The Gulf. Some of the best Thai cuisine is located in Fort Walton Beach and some well-known local bars like Ivy and Ale are always on the menu for good food and drinks. Our area is full of community-centered businesses like boutiques, restaurants, breweries, hatchet-throwing lanes, and more. Depending on the time of year we have festivals of all kinds. Tacos and Tequila anyone? How about Burgers, Bourbon, and Beer? Craftathon? Destin Seafood Festival? Mac and Cheese Fest? Seriously, we have a festival for everything. If we are going week-long you are also coming to Pensacola for some amazing microbreweries, Palafox restaurants, a trip through the historical district, weekend markets full of local vendors, and relaxing nature trails. The options around here are endless for fun and if nothing else: relaxing by our emerald colored waters is always a way to recharge.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I must always give Jessica Kinzer from Bergamot & Sunshine credit for being the most amazing small business friend. She is the one who suggested me for this interview and I can’t thank her enough for doing that. Along with all the other great advice, support, and cheering up when business is slow that she has given me over the years. Our little businesses have grown from very small places and they wouldn’t be where they are without the hard work and constant encouragement we give each other. We have exposed each other to so many other small businesses that have helped us along the way too! Either in the form of someone who needs a cheerleader or with a product we can utilize in our small businesses, thus helping them as well.

My business has been around for four whole years and I am happy to say that I gather most of the products for my store from other small businesses instead of ordering from places like Amazon. Without all of those other small businesses, my store would not feel quite so at home.

Website: www.EmeraldCoastEssentials.com

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