From Rocking Babies To Running A Business
From Babies to Business
When I started my business, I had three children under the age of two. My days were a blur of diapers, bottles, and naptime routines — and my nights often looked like rocking one baby to sleep with one hand while typing college papers with the other.
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t easy. But it was the beginning of something beautiful.
The Spark Behind Simply Happy
Simply Happy began as a small soap-making hobby in my kitchen. I wanted clean, safe products for my own family — things I could feel good about using on my children’s skin and in our home. The more I learned about harmful chemicals in everyday products, the more passionate I became about making something better.
At first, it was just soap. A few bars for friends and family. But I quickly realized this was more than a pastime — it was a calling.
Overcoming the Noise
In those early days, I heard all the opinions:
“That’s too much to take on with small kids.”
“You’ll never make real money doing that.”
“You don’t have time for this.”
And some days, I almost believed them. But deep down, I knew that if I let someone else’s doubt decide my future, I’d regret it. So I kept going. I studied, experimented, and created, fitting work into every spare moment — naptimes, early mornings, late nights.
I learned to trust my own instincts over the noise of other people’s negativity. That was a turning point, not just in my business, but in my mindset as a woman and a mother.
Growing Beyond the Kitchen Table
From those humble beginnings, Simply Happy grew — slowly at first, then faster as more people discovered our products. What started as a few bars of soap has become a line of non-toxic, handcrafted wellness and home goods: tallow soaps, whipped balms, magnesium mists, linen sprays, shower steamers, high-end candles, and more- all free from toxins, harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, paraffin, and phthalates.
Today, Simply Happy products are sold in many local Minnesota boutiques and shipped nationwide to customers and retailers who share our passion for cleaner living. Every single product is still made by hand in the Chisago Lakes Area in Minnesota, with locally sourced, grass-fed tallow and other safe, thoughtfully chosen ingredients.
The Challenge and the Reward
Being a stay-at-home mom and a business owner is a balancing act that sometimes feels impossible. There are days when orders pile up, laundry piles higher, and someone is always crying (sometimes me). But there is also the incredible satisfaction of knowing my children are watching me build something from the ground up — learning firsthand about resilience, creativity, and believing in your own voice.
The truth is, the challenges have made the rewards sweeter. Every boutique that carries Simply Happy, every order shipped across the country, every customer who says, “I love your products,” reminds me that it was worth pushing through the doubt — both mine and everyone else’s.
What I’ve Learned Along the Way
Your timing will never be perfect. If I had waited until life was “less busy,” I’d still be waiting.
Your vision matters more than anyone else’s opinion. Advice is helpful, but your gut will guide you best.
Small beginnings can lead to big impact. A kitchen soap-making project turned into a nationwide brand because I kept showing up.
Looking Ahead
I’m still rocking babies — though they’re much bigger now — and I’m still growing Simply Happy. There’s always a new product idea on my mind, another boutique to connect with, another customer to serve.
