The Story Behind ASC Soapworks

I often get asked what ASC stands for, and this is the response people receive - the long version :)

ASC stands for Almost Sisters' Creations.

A friend from college, Heidi Bates, is responsible for turning me into a soap addict.  She had made some soap with her aunt, and brought some home to share with me.  Not loving the scents of the soaps, they ended up in the back of a bottom drawer in the bathroom - until I ran out of soap about a year later and pulled them out to use.  The experience was such that I never went back to the store bought brand we were accustomed to, my daughter's red pimples on her legs went away and our family's skin has been so much happier ever since.

Heidi and I were both graduates of Colorado State University's Biochemistry Department, and this business provides a way to meld my love of science with my ever persistent artistic tendencies.  Heidi and I started to make soap together at least as early as 2005 (may have been earlier???) and in 2009, after much encouragement from friends and family who loved our soap as much as we did, we decided to create a business partnership.  We kept the name fairly generic, as we both have many interests and wanted to be able to pursue and incorporate them into the business plan.  After a few years, an observation was made that Heidi spent most of her time in the fiber art realm, and most of the soaping interest landed in my court, so the decision was made to separate into two separate entities. 

ASC Soapworks was formed, keeping the integrity of the original name in place.  Heidi went on to create Dragon Faery Dyeworks and the yarns and fibers she dyes are just amazing!  Over the years, we have continued to share booth space at several venues and we still have a steadfast friendship - quilting and sewing is our newest endeavor that we have been embarking on :)

My life has been spattered with many influences and experiences that have brought me to where I am now.  My first job was with New York State's Dept. of Environmental Conservation, and after working for Biometrics (using vectors, data tapes and 8" floppy disks...) and the Game Bird Unit, I ended up in the Wildlife Pathology Unit.  We saw a lot of sick, injured and deceased wildlife come through our doors there, and I learned a lot about the myriad of toxins in our environment that, unfortunately, affect our wildlife long before the human population.  After a few years of hanging with the biologists and technicians in the Department, I decided I wanted the knowledge that came with my own degree.  Being avid skiiers and rock climbers, my husband and I moved to Fort Collins, Colorado to reach that goal.

My mind constantly goes back to those days - the satisfaction of helping injured wildlife, catching and relocating geese, counting bats in caves, assisting with legislation to keep the pesticide diazanon off public spaces and golf courses -  so many lessons learned.  Everywhere I turn there are warnings of how our actions harm the environment, playing into further repercussions of life.  Whether it's my daughter's friend struggling with infertility (which very scarily continues to be on a steep incremental rise), my own fight with breast cancer, or both of my children dealing with their own health issues (mast cells, food allergies, etc.), I come face to face with decisions everyday and what they mean in our day to day living.

All of these experiences have brought me to who I am today.  I love the outdoors and hike our beautiful mountain trails as often as I can.  Keeping unnecessary ingredients out of my food, cleaning products, body care and cosmetics has become a necessary obsession.  The fact that my breast cancer was found on the side that I used to always stash my phone (in my bra) is certainly concerning - and I try hard to keep electronics a good 6-8" away from my body if I can help it.  When I buy products, I look for local and think about the packaging that is being used.  Therefore, in creating products, I also look at how the environment will be impacted - I prefer glass to plastics in most situations, biodegradable paper will be used to package most of my soaps.  If I have to buy plastics, I look for USA sourced, preferably post recycled or plant sourced materials.

Each decision we make has a consequence, and we need to keep that in mind being responsible stewards of this earth.

This is who I am and why ASC Soapworks is committed to helping you to break free of chemical laden body products by providing quality all natural soaps, shampoo bars and other body care for daily use.

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For a more in depth bio of Taralyn's life and why she feels so strongly about natural, sustainable and clean products - baby pictures included!