From the Prairie: Building Prairie Soap Shack
“After spending 15 years working as a nurse specializing in wound care and skin integrity, I became increasingly interested in understanding what I was putting on my own skin. At the same time, I felt drawn to the land around me and the plants growing right outside my door on our family farm in central Alberta.”
From the Prairie: Building Prairie Soap Shack
By Jessica, Founder of Prairie Soap Shack
Prairie Soap Shack began during maternity leave, but the story started long before that.
After spending 15 years working as a nurse specializing in wound care and skin integrity, I became increasingly interested in understanding what I was putting on my own skin. At the same time, I felt drawn to the land around me and the plants growing right outside my door on our family farm in central Alberta.
What began as a personal interest in natural skincare soon became something much larger.
I started creating simple products using homegrown and wildcrafted botanicals, experimenting with ingredients and learning as I went. Over time, that passion evolved into Prairie Soap Shack, a family-run business rooted in prairie life and inspired by the landscape that surrounds us every day.
The name felt like a natural fit. It reflects both where we live and how we work. Everything is made by hand in a small production space on our generational grain farm, surrounded by open fields and native plants that continue to inspire many of our products.
What I love most about this work is the connection it creates. Connection to nature, to my family, and to the customers who welcome our products into their homes. There is something incredibly rewarding about harvesting plants, infusing oils, and transforming those ingredients into products that become part of someone's everyday routine.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that growth does not have to happen at someone else's pace. As a small business owner, it can be tempting to chase trends or expand quickly, but I have found that staying true to your values matters far more. We focus on creating products we believe in and building a business that reflects who we are.
Storytelling has also played an important role in our journey. Sharing life on the farm, the plants we grow, and the process behind each product has allowed us to connect with customers in a genuine way. Local markets and community events have been just as important, creating opportunities to build relationships face-to-face.
If I could offer one piece of advice to another woman starting a business, it would be this: begin before you feel fully ready. You learn by doing. Stay curious, trust your instincts, and remember that your story is one of your greatest strengths.
My petite joy is simple. Early mornings on the farm with a cup of coffee in hand, watching the sun rise over the fields. Those moments remind me why I started and continue to inspire what comes next.
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Prairie Soap Shack is a small-batch skincare brand crafting high-quality products from homegrown and wildcrafted botanicals. Rooted in prairie traditions, they prioritize sustainability, transparency, and connection to the land.
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