Rebranding is scary. I spent years being “The Soap Pixie” and selling my uniquely crafted soaps. For the longest time, my business was just that, a name, a logo, and pretty bars of soap. I was comfortable with it, and so were my customers.
But earlier this year, something inside me shifted. I started to feel dissatisfied. I wanted something more.
When I first changed my business name to The Soap Pixie back in 2009, it was because I had a vision: to create soaps that bring magick and enchantment into people’s lives. That dream got a little lost over the years as I focused on the practical side of business; making soap, selling soap, packaging design, how to grow...But deep down, I knew I wanted more than that.
Where It All Began
Here’s a little backstory: When I first started selling soap, my business was called Pixie Lee Soaps & Sundries. I chose the name because my mother had just passed away, and I wanted to honor her. Her name was Dixie Lee, and I’ve always loved pixies and fairies, so Pixie Lee Soaps & Sundries felt right at the time.
This is the very first logo I ever commissioned back in 2007.
Looking back now, it makes me smile, but a couple of years later, I realized the name and logo didn’t really reflect the magick I wanted for my brand. So, I changed the name to The Soap Pixie and created a new logo.
For years, my focus was on creating high-quality soap and donating part of my efforts to wildlife organizations here in Minnesota. It was fulfilling work, and I loved it. But then life happened, I lost my sister, I faced some serious health challenges, and everything slowed down.
During that time, I started reflecting on what I really wanted for my business and my life. And when I looked around at the world - the endless negativity on the news, the stress, the heaviness everywhere - I knew I wanted to create something that feels like an escape for my customers.
Returning to My Original Vision
I kept coming back to my original dream: to create something soft, whimsical, and full of light. I wanted The Soap Pixie to be more than just soap.
One day, while walking through the European Christmas Market in St. Paul, I stumbled across a book called The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm.
I’ve always loved Grimm tales, so I bought it. And that’s when the light bulb went off.
While reading the book I thought, What if every soap told a story?
Not just any story, but something rooted in folklore, fairytales, and enchantment. Something that brings a sense of wonder back into someone's day.
The Birth of Oona & Poppy
From that idea, Oona the Soap Pixie and her best friend, Poppy the Ladybug, were born. They live in an enchanted forest in northern Minnesota, and their adventures are inspired by old-world tales, some Grimm, some folktales, and some completely new stories I write myself.
Every time I release a new soap, it comes with its own story: Maybe Oona meets a talking mouse that leads her to fresh herbs for her soap. Maybe she brews a potion under the full moon. Maybe Poppy leads her to a meadow filled with wildflowers and hidden secrets.
Each story ties into the soap itself; the fragrance, the colors, the ingredients. Every bar becomes a tiny portal into another world, filled with magic and meaning.
I also weave the Wheel of the Year into my creations because I’m deeply connected to nature and spirituality. Every seasonal collection celebrates the beauty and energy of that moment in time.
Why Stories Matter
I believe fairytales can heal. They lift us out of the noise and remind us that wonder still exists. And honestly, the world needs that right now.
My hope is that when you pick up one of my soaps, you feel something:
Gleeful, Nostalgic, Inspired, Delighted, Enchanted. Maybe even a spark of childlike curiosity.
Maybe for one moment you can imagine yourself in Oona’s world.
Because my soaps aren’t just for cleansing your skin, they’re magick you can hold in your hands.
What’s Next for The Soap Pixie
From now on, every bar of soap from The Soap Pixie carries a story. Each release is tied to folklore and enchantment. When you order a soap, you’re not just buying a bar, you’re stepping into a whimsical tale and inviting a little fantasy into your everyday life.
Because the world needs more light, joy, and wonder. And that’s exactly what The Soap Pixie is here for.
So here’s to magick, whimsy, and finding happiness in the little things, even in your soap dish.
Stay tuned for Oona’s next adventure.
