Chicago Soap Company Travels to South Africa
on Illinois Trade Mission
on Illinois Trade Mission
When artisan soap maker Deborah Kraemer launched her line of all-natural soaps fifteen years ago, under the brand name Abbey Brown (www.abbeybrown.com), she had no idea that her skills and business savvy would lead to an invitation by the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago and the Illinois Small Business Development Council to represent them at their 2014 trade mission to South Africa. Yet this week, Kraemer will join a group of noteworthy Illinois companies who will spend ten days in South Africa, building new business relationships while showcasing their products and capabilities.
Kraemer not only plans to meet with a wide range of international personal care companies to foster new commercial partnerships, but she also expects to meet with African economic development organizations to conduct her personal mission of being a global advocate for teaching soap making skills.
"Natural soap may seem like a simple, personal luxury to most Americans," says Kraemer, "but for the many people of Africa and other parts of the developing world who have limited access to personal hygiene products like soap, learning to make their own natural soaps, using ingredients found right in their own locale, is a compelling and cost-effective way they can improve their health. It's also a skill set; a way to earn a living. Natural soap making also is a sustainable process, and that's become a priority throughout the world."

Kraemer was one of the founding vendors at the Chicago French Market and was there for four years. She also had a retail presence for three years at Navy Pier. She also continues to sell her products at many venues and markets throughout the area, yet her direction is increasingly moving in the direction of wholesaling and educational activity.

The company now produces more than 170 all-natural products: soaps ($2-$10.50), body butters ($18), body oils ($9), shea balms ($9), lip balms ($3-$4), mud soap ($10), hydrosols ($10), face serums ($8), shaving soaps ($8), shampoo bars ($7.50), bath salts ($7-$30) and pet care products (soaps and paw balms, $6), candles ($7-$16), room diffusers ($1.50-$30), petals and herbs ($4-$10), essential oils ($10-$25) and carrier oils ($7-$12). There are also a variety of beautifully decorated gift packages and a soap of the month club.



Kraemer has held classes for many groups, from non-profit organizations that want to sell soaps as fundraisers to educational programs that focus on serious job skills. She schedules classes for groups of convention goers, tourists, and even for kids' birthday parties.
Kraemer believes that interest in natural soaps is following the same path that natural, sustainable foods took during the past two decades. Soap awareness has been just slower to reach a mass audience. "People have become accustomed to thinking carefully about their food-the natural purity and wholesomeness of the ingredients, the sustainable and caring way in which they are produced. The same awareness is now springing up regarding personal care products.
"It's no longer news that commercial, mass-produced soaps are often made with chemicals and additives that aren't healthy and degrade our environment," Kraemer continues. "For example, the surfactant chemicals typically used by large manufacturers to make soaps and shampoos generate more lather are simply not good for us, and the healthy ingredients they do put in these products, such as aloe, are used in such small quantities that they hardly make any difference."
As a craft, Kraemer is still fascinated by the many creative recipes and techniques that can be used to produce personal care products naturally. "We can choose from many, many ingredients to make soaps that meet particular needs. Some soaps are exfoliating, while others are extremely mild for sensitive skin. We use natural, healthy oils, fresh herbs, fruits, spices, and other all-natural ingredients to add fragrance and functionality-all without synthetic chemicals and additives."
Kraemer, always an educator at heart, envisions Chicago Soap Company establishing a museum of soap making in the years ahead. "Soap making is a historical craft that has been around since Biblical days. There are so many aspects of it that are worth knowing about. We hope the museum will be a unique destination that everyone, young and old, will find fascinating and enjoy."
For more information about the Chicago Soap Company and to purchase products online, please visit the websites: www.chicagosoapco.com and www.abbeybrown.com.
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