We had the good fortune of connecting with April Walker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi April, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Willakenzie River Soapery was born out of the need to make soaps that were beautiful but also sensitive skin friendly. Growing up, My mom and I always had skin irritations to soaps, detergents and makeups. When I got a bit older and was able to buy better soap; I was still finding that I was allergic to many of the big name soaps out on the market today including those that boasted of being “all natural” and “sensitive skin safe”. I knew I needed to make a change to help all those like me who were struggling to find Quality, Handmade Sensitive Skin soaps.

In the year 2020, at the height of the covid19 pandemic when most moms were learning how to bake bread from scratch I began building my business. The first step was to calculate my own original soap recipe. Most soap makers can easily buy a soap recipe off of ETSY or many of the other soap websites, but I wanted to be unique. I worked for 6 months to make sure that my recipe included ingredients that were not only good for your body but good for the environment and those living in it.
My Shea Butter would be sourced from the women of Ghana Africa who are paid a livable wage to harvest and process nuts from the Shea Tree. My Coconut Oil and Olive Oil although purchased in bulk would be GMO FREE, Raw and All Natural. My castor oil would be Unrefined, cold pressed and hexane-free while being bottled in the USA.

When it came to adding pigments, I went with the best micas on the market from Mad Micas. All the micas I use are vegan, animal cruelty free, and sourced exclusively from ethical supply lines. This was incredibly important to me as was making sure to use only organic Essential Oils and vegan fragrance oils. When all was said and done I had a luxurious soap bar that could be used in all households and on every member of the family. Ive had many customers come to me who have itchy skin, skin conditions and numerous allergies. While our soap makes no medicinal claims, we are so glad it has been able to help each person who uses it.

Currently we have had over 3000 sales on TikTok alone not to mention the many other social media sites and a couple of local partnerships who have our soaps available in their stores. Willakenzie River Soapery has changed my life and so many others for the better!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Soap Heals by nourishing your skin and in that moment your mind and soul. I grew up in Mullica Hill, New Jersey in a time when “safe spaces” and “anti-bullying protocall” didnt exist yet. I was endlessly bullied and tormented by teachers and kids of my peer group at school, church, work, basically everywhere I went there was someone else to remind me of how I didn’t fit in. I was a little 5’3 redhead who weighted 100 lbs on a good day and wanted so desperately to fit in or in the least.. be hidden so no one could devalue me. After high school I was able to forge my own way and became a professional Dog Trainer, Animal Control Officer and for a short time a Burlington County SPCA Humane Police Officer. Needless to say, I am a huge animal advocate!

In 2017 I met the love of my life Rigel Walker who was a truck driver and Army Veteran. He showed me what love was and encouraged me to be myself.. something I had never been brave enough to do. I found my niche and passion in soap making. A way to use my artistic abilities while also supporting those communities I adore and Love. One of my first soaps I created was my “Pride Soap” using 6 colors of the original pride rainbow flag which was also a big part of my coming out as Bi.

Soap making has been a journey for me and one I adore. I love to make unique soaps that make people smile and fall in love with them time and time again. My journey has been hard and growing up was unbearable but to be able to put my passion into an art form I can now share with the world I feel as though I have a voice that can help others struggling like I did.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Currently I am living in Springfield, Oregon and the best seats in the house are all outside. The mountains, rivers and wineries are absolutely breathtaking. From the natural waterfalls to the afternoons spent on the Willamette river kayaking this state is beyond beautiful.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to recognize my soapy mentor Angela Strickland from Ventura, California who was the first person to inspire me to make soap and answered so many endless questions I had before creating my very unique recipe. She has been there every step of the way and has been a huge inspiration to me and an amazing friend. Id also love to recognize Linzy Taylor for believing in me and helping me with my Tiktok Social Media as well as going above and beyond to her own audience to make sure Willakenzie was on the map. Lastly my Husband, Rigel Walker for giving me 3 full years, as a stay at home wife to put everything into growing my business.

Website: willakenzieriversoapery.myshopify.com

Instagram: instagram.com/willakenzieriversoapery

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Willakenzieriversoapery

Other: TikTok: @WillakenzieSoaperyllc

Image Credits
All images are owned by Willakenzie River Soapery

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