A local business in Carroll County is making a global impact

Community-Driven Soap Business Expands Its Positive Reach Internationally

Founded in 2018 by Kim Beatty and Janice Campbell, Goose Ridge Soaps began with a mission to serve their local community by creating high-quality, skin-healing soaps. "We try to make our soaps pretty and smell good, but that's not really our primary focus. Our primary focus is on solving a problem," Kim Beatty stated.

Their products are designed to address skin issues such as severe dryness, eczema, and sensitivities, providing relief for many individuals. Over time, the business evolved beyond local support, aiming to make a broader impact.

When transitioning from a hobby to a business, the founders emphasized the importance of giving back. Goose Ridge Soaps partnered with Eco Soaps, an organization dedicated to recycling soap scraps and distributing them to impoverished nations. This partnership involves collecting scraps from soap makers, which are then sent to recycling centers located across Asia and Africa.

There, 175 women are employed across five countries to process the scraps—extruding and transforming them into new, usable soap bars. These are distributed to nearly 133 countries worldwide, including the United States, helping underdeveloped communities gain access to soap and hygiene education.

The initiative originated from the founders' concern over waste. "When a soap maker makes soaps, a lot of times you'll have little scrap pieces or excess after cutting or beveling. We had been saving it because we didn't feel right about throwing it in the landfill," Kim Beatty explained.

Kim expresses pride in the decision to redirect waste into a global aid effort, stating, "It has been one of the best decisions we've made, and it means the world to me knowing I am helping others." The community's support has been vital to their journey, reinforcing their belief that everyone should lift each other up.

The next shipment of soap scraps from Goose Ridge Soaps is scheduled for early June, continuing their commitment to sustainability and humanitarian aid.