Oscar Buzz

SHAKA SOAP FROM WAIMEA TO BE INCLUDED IN SWAG

BY CAROLYN LUCAS-ZENK

WEST HAWAII TODAY

clucas-zenk@westhawaiitoday.com

Waimea resident Jessica Taylor’s handcrafted soaps will be distributed this month during an Oscar-related event in Hollywood, where these goods will hopefully be awash in sudsy success.

Shaka Soap — Taylor’s home-based company specializing in naturally made bath and beauty products — has landed a spot in the luxury gift lounge at The W Hotel for the 84th Academy Awards Industry Mixers.

Talent mangers, publicists, buyers, set decorators and other film and television professionals will have the opportunity to try and take home a Shaka Soap bar in their complimentary gift bags.

Shaka Soap was selected by The Artisan Group, which provides a sampling of handcrafted products to celebrities and members of the press at events leading up to The Academy of Awards, The Golden Globes and The Primetime Emmys. The group has more than 700 members, including Taylor who only began making soap in August and opened her business two months later.

“Being part of such a big event like the Oscars is very exciting,” Taylor said. “I hope they like my soap, and if it leads to anyone purchasing my stuff or providing any feedback, that would be cool.”

This is the first prestigious event Shaka Soap is participating in, but it isn’t the only one.

Shaka Soap will also be at an Earth Day event, gifting to celebrities who are promoting organic and eco-friendly products. Last year’s recipients included Tom Hanks, Kate Bosworth, P!nk, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dave Matthews, Drew Barrymore, Ellen Degeneres, Orlando Bloom and Sting.

Taylor is also prepping for the MTV Movie Awards, where Shaka Soap products will be in attendees’ gift bags and on display for photo opportunities with celebrities.

The experience has been a whirlwind for Taylor, who feels “grateful and lucky” for her first-time business run completely on passion and family power.

Prior, the stay-at-home mother had no soapmaking knowledge or scientific background, just “a genuine interest.” Possessing sensitive skin herself, Taylor said she had always been intrigued by soapmaking, and with her strong dislike of clutter, she decided it would make a better hobby than her previous one — scrapbooking.

Taylor first started reading books, then researched the Internet, watched various YouTube videos, participated in various soapmaking forums, and learned from Bramble Berry founder Anne-Marie Faiola, who has provided raw ingredients and instruction for more than 10 years.

Taylor developed a new dialogue with words such as saponification, acid strains and parabens. She started experimenting with recipes and making her own. Soon, there were shelves of drying soap, and a tantalizing mixture of aromas — coconut, lemongrass, awa puhi, vanilla, lemon, citrus, eucalyptus, sandalwood, mint chocolate chip — filling the house.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s 3-year-old daughter, Maddie, established “The Soap Corner,” where she collected and stored every new soap her mother made in a basket. She also became a fan of Faiola’s “Soap Queen” television series and a regular helper when Taylor makes soap with toy erasers inside.

Taylor can’t wait for the day when her other daughter, 15-month-old Ellie, joins the soapmaking process in the kitchen.

Her husband Kyle, a chemical engineer, became “the brains” for her technical questions. He has also proven to be a valuable resource in supplying “a man’s perspective,” as well as providing extra help when there are big orders to fill and other ideas for products like the unscented soothing salve.

Taylor said the more she messed around in soapmaking, the more it fed her soul.

With each batch, she would give away soaps and other products to family and friends. Their constant support and feedback only encouraged her interest to start a soapmaking business — something that has enchanted her since watching the movie “Practical Magic” for the first time.

Today, Taylor has more than 45 varieties of soap, lotions, lip balm, salves, sugar scrubs, bath salts, gift baskets and a myriad of other options, ranging from $5 to $20. Responding to consumer demand, she also offers various items without the heady fragrances.

Products are available at Star Light Hawaii in Hawi, shaka-soap.com or etsy.com/shop/shakasoap.

Taylor chose to call her company Shaka Soap because she respects the Hawaiian culture and wanted a name that represented the laid-back island lifestyle. She also wanted to somehow capture the essence of Hawaii in a tasteful, catchy way without offending anyone.

“In Hawaii, the shaka is used to remind us to spread aloha day in and day out, by keeping with the Hawaiian principle of ‘malama i kekahi i kekahi,’ take care of one, take care of all. That is our philosophy here at Shaka Soap,” she said. “I want to provide something for all people — women, men and children from all walks-of-life and financial backgrounds. I’m also doing this for me and having fun doing it. I think everyone, especially stay-at-home moms, needs a creative outlet, whether it be pilates or painting, to pour their energy and passion into.”

The best part so far for Taylor has been connecting with customers and demonstrating the benefits of her products. She also enjoys the innovation and creativity that goes into pursuing the perfect bar, adding “it’s a never-ending quest as there are as many different likes or dislikes as there are people.”

For more information, call Taylor at 443-7239 or email shakasoap@yahoo.com.