05/20/2026
BIG NEWS. 💜
Hemlock Springs Soaps was selected as a recipient of the Community-Driven Economic Empowerment Grant.
Out of a very competitive process, HSS was awarded funding that will help support the next phase of growth — and honestly? I’m still a little stunned.
A huge thank you to Janie Wong from the SBDC for giving me the heads up about the opportunity in the first place, and to Latonya Wallace for helping me better understand what the advisory board was looking for and offering guidance along the way. Sometimes one conversation changes everything.
As many of you know, the past few years have involved a lot of pivoting, rebuilding, learning, and figuring out what comes next. Small business ownership can be messy, exhausting, rewarding, terrifying, and deeply meaningful all at the same time.
This grant helps create breathing room.
It means improving systems.
It means strengthening Hemlock Springs Soaps for the long haul.
It means investing in better tools, stronger online growth, photography, visibility, and creating an even better experience for all of you.
It means continuing to build small-batch herbal body care and soap made with thoughtful ingredients, herbal roots, and practical support for real life.
Mostly?
It means momentum.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this little business over the years — whether you've purchased soap, shared posts, cheered me on, or simply believed in what I’m building.
Fresh. Clean. Sassy.
And apparently… grant-funded now, too. 💜
Congratulations to all of the other awardees, as well. I cannot wait to see what we can do!
~ Karen
