Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Wright.
Katrina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Crystal Bar Soap started as a home hobby by Katrina (myself) in 2015. After leaving the 9-to-5 world, I was determined to create something for myself. During this transition, my best friend took me to a Crystal Shop in Calgary, AB, and later that night, the idea was born. Originally sold to family and friends, Crystal Bar Soap eventually opened a small Etsy site and we began doing local markets. Our little brand quickly gained a lot of online interest and started to grow a strong and loyal following.
In April 2016, we caught the attention of Beauty Insider, who launched a Facebook video that reached 18 million views! This allowed me and my business to move from Canada to Los Angeles, bringing us closer to our suppliers and our customers. We believe in the idea that businesses should have human morals, and everything is created with the idea that it should be sustainable, eco-friendly, and cruelty free. These beliefs are strongly carried throughout the entire production of the Crystal Bar Soap. We create with intention so when you get your bar it is filled with nothing but good vibes.
Over the years, We have stayed true to our original idea that self care is for EVERYONE. Our bars are still designed to manifest the energy in our life. We wanted to create a tool for you to be able to use in your daily life without you having to change your schedule. Indulge in Crystal Magic while you cleanse and when your soap is gone hang on to your new crystal for daily good vibes.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We strongly promote good vibes online but something I don’t think people see is the struggles behind the scenes we go through. I know everyone goes through things and on social media nowadays its great to see a more balanced picture but I am still uncomfortable sharing the negative moments in my life.
Over the last few years, Crystal Bar has been growing like crazy and with all things, there are a lot of growing pains we have had to deal with. The biggest one for a while was my immigration status, I immigrated from Canada to the USA and because of the way it is set up I have to apply every year and both times I have gotten declined and had to fly to have my case reviewed and afterward they side with me. But behind the scenes for two years now all of my free time is dealing with paperwork, flights, lawyers, etc. and it hasn’t been fun.
We are also a small business that started as one and has now grown into five! Crystal Bar Soap is so special with the work we do and just trying to find the right team that vibes together is challenging, I have had a lot of girls in and out lately but the few that end up working out become an amazing member of the team! I am sure as we grow more getting girls in this space that vibe together will be easier but the first few are key to nail down!
Please tell us about your business.
Crystal Bar Soap specializing in handmade, vegan, crystal embedded soaps but our brand is so much more, the work we do becomes tools for humans to heal. We get hundreds of emails from our users sharing how our soaps have helped them through divorces, miscarriages, new relationships, and getting pregnant! Life is filled with hurdles and it makes us so happy that our work can help bring positivity into people’s world.
Right now as a creative I am most proud of the collections of soap we have been releasing, my creative energy has evolved so much over the years and when designing a collection I feel like I know how to capture a certain kind of energy.
As a company I am most proud of my team – I look to hire humans that don’t vibe in the typical 9-5 work life. I have worked with people with mental health issues, anxiety, etc. and I love creating a workspace that aligns with what Crystal Bar Soap is trying to do too!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I loved my childhood! I was born in 1994 in Canada so I had a childhood that involved riding bikes, playing games, building a snowman, selling lemonade, etc. and it wasn’t until later into my teens that technology came around. I loved that I got to grow up without iPads and iPhones but as an adult have access to those tools.
My favorite memory from my childhood had to be all the creative work I did, I use to make purses out of old clothes and sell them. I would also organize bake sales to raise money for charity and I was always volunteering. It doesn’t sound like the coolest thing ever but as an adult, I love looking back and seeing who I was as I child be so parallel to who I am today!
Pricing:
- Large Crystal Bar Soaps $14
- Bath Bombs range $8-12
- Mini Soaps $8
Contact Info:
- Address: 15001 Califa Street
- Website: Crystal Bar Soap LLC
- Phone: 8184335495
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalbarsoap/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystalbarsoap
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/crystalbarsoap
Image Credit:
All @Crystalbarsoap
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