Celebrating 14 Years of Bend Soap: Our Journey of Faith, Soap, and Simple Living

Marilee here! Every September, our family takes a moment to pause and look back at the incredible journey of Bend Soap Company. This month marks 14 years since Dwight made those first batches of goat milk soap in our farmhouse kitchen.

That soap went on to change not only our own family’s life, but the lives of thousands of families across the country. It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come since then. From the chaos of those early days to the joy of seeing our products in homes from California to Tennessee, this journey has been equal parts humbling and life-giving.

Above all, it’s been a constant reminder that God’s blessings are always bigger than we could imagine and that Dwight’s steadfast vision continues to guide us. Today, I want to take you back through our story: the lessons, memories, and gratitude I feel looking back on 14 wonderful years of Bend Soap.

From Goat Milk Soap to Bend Soap Company

When I think back to the early days, I picture a lively home with six little boys trailing after us. We’d had goats for a few years, and their milk was like liquid gold. The boys drank it by the gallon, and we used it to make yogurt and kefir. When Dwight used our goat milk to make soap for our son’s eczema and we learned how effective it was, we called them “little gold bars.” 

Our goat milk soap bars were wholesome, nourishing, and quickly replaced the harsh products that had irritated our son’s skin. Those bars became the seed of Bend Soap Company. Of course, growing a business was no easy feat. We had to learn quickly about capital, marketing, and scaling from a kitchen project into something sustainable. 

Dwight dove headfirst into sales and marketing, traveling to shows across California, Oregon, and Washington. Many of you may remember meeting us at those events! Friends and family pitched in too, and whenever the shows were local, the kids and I were right there with him, helping and learning.

At the same time, we began experimenting with online sales. E-commerce and social media were new to us, but it was exciting to share glimpses of our farm life and give customers an easier way to reorder their favorite soaps. Growth was slow, partly because Dwight insisted on fair pricing that reflected the value we’d want as customers ourselves. 

Scaling was harder that way, but it also kept us rooted in our mission. Through every hurdle, God provided. Each order that came in felt like confirmation that we were on the right path. Those humble beginnings taught us lessons in faith, resourcefulness, and perseverance that continue to serve us today. 

Life Lessons from Building a Family Business

At first, our dream for Bend Soap was simple: earn enough to support our family and enjoy life on the farm. That perspective shifted in San Francisco, when a woman stopped at Dwight’s booth. After years of struggling with eczema, she had finally found relief with our soap.

She told him, “You can’t keep this to yourself. It’s your duty to share it with others who need it.” Her words lit a fire in us. Suddenly, this wasn’t just about soap. It was about helping people who were desperate for real solutions to skin conditions like eczema.

Around that time, Dwight began receiving business coaching from his brother Chad, who challenged him to think bigger and gave us strategic tools to grow. What had started as a side project for our family started to feel like a calling. We realized we weren’t just building a business—we were building something that could change lives.

Running Bend Soap as a family came with blessings and challenges in equal measure. For Dwight and me, it stretched our communication and forced us to lean on God in new ways. For the kids, it was an education you can’t get in school: learning teamwork, efficiency, and the art of serving customers with care.

Some days felt like a circus, but the lessons of hard work, problem-solving, and family unity turned the everyday circus into a classroom for life.

Proud Moments from 14 Years of Bend Soap

One of the sweetest parts of this journey was watching Dwight live out a childhood dream. His dad and uncle owned a manufacturing company, and Bend Soap gave him the chance to experience that same joy of designing a product, scaling it, and sharing it with the world. It felt like everything he had learned in his youth came full circle.

Another milestone that stands out was the day we walked through our warehouse in Tennessee. After years of making soap in the kitchen and moving through different spaces, stepping into that warehouse felt surreal.

I can still picture Dwight saying, “Go big or stay home.” We’d come so far from those first little gold bars to a company capable of filling a warehouse!

But what I’m most proud of is the products themselves. Every bar of soap, bottle of lotion, lip butter, and salve has been made with care, using pure ingredients that deliver true nourishment.

I genuinely love and use our products every day, so I recommend them with confidence. Seeing how our products have transformed homes and helped families live healthier lives makes all the long days and challenges worth it.

Advice to My Younger Self (And to You)

If I could sit down with the younger Marilee just starting out, I’d tell her this: you don’t have to do it all yourself. Learn the business, yes, but don’t wait until you’re overwhelmed to bring in help. The right people will make the journey lighter, more fulfilling, and more joyful.

I’d also remind myself to keep family first. When you run a husband-and-wife business, it’s easy to let work spill into every moment—even those late-night conversations when you should be resting. Make space to talk about life outside the business, your marriage, your children, and your future together.

Business is important, but it’s not the most important thing.

Finally, I’d encourage myself (and anyone else chasing a dream) not to panic during the hard seasons. Every business has highs and lows, times of growth and quiet. None of it is wasted. God uses every season to teach us something valuable. I’ve learned that what feels like a setback is often just preparation for the next breakthrough.

What’s Next for Bend Soap?

Even after all these years, it feels like we’re just getting started. We have so many new products in the works to replace more of the toxic products that sneak into our everyday routines. Every new product is another step toward helping families live healthier, simpler lives.

We’re also dreaming of our future storefront in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, where we now live. I can’t wait to welcome new friends, connect face-to-face, and share our products and our story. I imagine shelves lined with soap, lotion, and new creations we haven’t even dreamed up yet—all made with the same care and passion that fueled those very first bars.

Celebrating 14 Years with Gratitude and Faith

As I reflect on these 14 years, gratitude is the word that fills my heart. Gratitude for Dwight’s vision and determination, which shape everything we do. Gratitude for our children’s willingness to roll up their sleeves and grow alongside that legacy. Gratitude for neighbors, friends, and mentors who pitched in without hesitation when we needed help.

And most of all, gratitude for you: our customers. Whether you discovered us at a small-town market years ago or placed your first order last week, you’re part of this story. Your support has carried us through challenges, fueled our growth, and made it possible for us to keep creating products that we wholeheartedly believe in.

This journey hasn’t been perfect, but it has been purposeful. Through every challenge and every blessing, God has been faithful. As we step into the next chapter, we do so with open hands, ready for whatever He has in store. Here’s to 14 beautiful years of Bend Soap, and to many more ahead. 

How did you first discover Bend Soap? Do you have a favorite memory or product? Share your story in the comments—we’d love to hear them!