Conversations with Kathlyn Chapin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathlyn Chapin.

Kathlyn, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a TA (Teacher Assistant) at the Jackson County Intermediate School District as part of the Young Adult Program. My students are cognitively impaired adults ages 18-26. In the classroom we were looking for a craft that the students could do as a Christmas present to take home for a loved one. I happen to see on TV a DYI show that explained about melt and pour soap. I knew my students could do that with help so I purchased all the materials and did it at home with my son to figure out how it worked. The classroom teacher loved the idea and so each student got to make a soap. They got the choose the color and smell of the soap. We sealed them in plastic, wrapped them in a washcloth with a ribbon and put them into a Christmas tin to take home as a gift. From there I started watching YouTube videos on how to made Cold Process Soap and my business was born. As a child, when my family would go to any kind of event where there was vendors I always ran toward the soap tables. I loved having the nice smelling soaps, and could always get my father to buy me one.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started the business in December of 2019 and of course COVID hit in the beginning of 2020. Soap making was a blessing during the lock downs and school closures because it gave me something to do and focus on, it also allowed me to get good at it before selling it. This of course also meant that most Craft Shows were canceled for that year. So I started looking at some local Farmers Markets. My son and my mom would go with me to check out the different farmers markets to see what they were like. My first Farmers Market was a small Market in Springport MI. It was free to attend and I was comfortable at it because there were only maybe 10 vendors. As I got more brave I started attending more markets.
I also do not like being in big crowded places. This has been a challenge with the bigger craft shows. I have had to learn how to talk to people that I do not know. I have great support of my family. My sister has been wonderful, she will come with me to big shows so I don’t panic in the large crowds . My Mom comes to almost every show within a reasonable distance of Jackson and sit for a few hours with me (and shops). And when home from college my son will come as well.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I like to think of me as having 3 lives but I really can’t say that I am known for anything.
First Life, I entered the Military at age 17, did basic training between my Jr and Sr years in High School and was in the National Guard during College at MSU. I was a Fisheries and Wildlife Major and have a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Second Life, I was an Animal Control Officer for the Jackson County Sheriff’s Dept. for 25 years. Although my Job had its obvious bad times, I loved what I did. I loved helping the animals that could not help themselves. I loved helping people who had problems taking care of their animals and finding them solutions so that they did not have to give up their animals. Unfortunately there was also the challenge of those individuals that did not want to comply with laws and allow their animals to bother others or even attack at times. But I always tried to find a way to solve problems with out writing summons or putting them into the court system first. This was always best for everyone including the animal an children in the home.
Third Life, After retirement from Animal Control, I started working as a Teacher Assistant for the Jackson County Intermediate School District. This is the best retirement job in the world and I love this life the most. These students are some of the most loving people I have ever met in my life. I go to work every day never knowing what to expect but always leave with the feeling of happiness. These students just love being alive. They know that each of them is different, They know that they are all what typical people call special, but it does not bother them. there are no clicks or hierarchy with them. They accept each other for what they are. They know that they all have problems and that is ok. They see another students problems and a chance to help their friend out with something they may not be able to do by themselves and they are happy to do it without complaint. Obviously it is not all roses, students have good and bad days. It is my job to help them get through it and learn how to cope with the problem in the future. To show them that there is more than one way to do something and that as long as you get to the finish it does not matter how you did it. I have told many friends that I believe that I would have been a better mother if I had this job in one of my first lives instead of when my son was older.
What am I most proud of? My son Alex. By far he is the best thing in my life. He attends Michigan Tech Univ. so I don’t get to see him a lot (you can’t just pop home for a weekend where your 8 hours away) but that was the only university he wanted to go to, he worked hard to get there and he continues to work hard.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My Family and Friends.
I met my friends from the craft shows and farmers markets. We all try to take care of each other during shows and in our personal lives. I have 3 close friends that I would not trade for the world. They have been there for me at a blink of an eye when times are tough, and I will be there for them too when they need me.
My mom and sister have been a rock for me. They have always been there no matter what. and of course my son who is my whole life.

Pricing:

• bar of soap $6.00 or 3 for $15.00
• goats milk lotion $4.00 (2 oz), $7.00 (4 oz)
• room sprays $6.00 or 3 for $15.00
• milk bath $6.00
• dish soap $16.00 for ramekin/ bush set and $7.00 for a refill

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplysoapsjackson
• Other: [email protected]