Meet Kathy Patterson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Patterson.

Hi Kathy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been interested in more of the old-fashioned, traditional homemaker projects ~ quilting, sewing, canning, baking, food preservation, gardening, farming. I dabble just enough in everything to be dangerous but not professional. I wanted to take our small farm of chickens to the next level with the addition of milk goats. I had zero experience, and my daily life is truly baptism by fire. When I started milking, I was making cheese, caramels, ice cream…and still had milk coming out of my ears. I started reading about soapmaking and the benefits of goat milk soap. Both of my daughters had dry skin and eczema, so I thought ~ why not give it a try. Seemed like a natural progression to add another skill to my set. The first batch of soap was a complete fail. I was terrified of the lye, forgot to add fragrance, it hardened too fast…and that’s the best thing that could have happened to me. Then I was determined to get it right. First, I made enough soap for my family. Then I started giving it away. Then people wanted to buy it. I would set a certain day for people to stop by the farm and shop. It didn’t take long for word to spread, and I was offered space in a wonderful downtown gift shop ~ Wit & Whimzy. Once that happened, everything just kind of exploded. I opened an online shop through Etsy and started expanding the product line to include many other bath and body products. Today I offer over 30 different products in more scents than I can count! 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Owning your own business is a wonderful, amazing, awful, stressful, beautiful thing. If I start thinking of all the problems, the profit margins, the lack of time, keeping up with market trends, the things I SHOULD be doing, watching competitors, comparing my business to others, rising costs of materials…well, I’d sleep less than I already do. Instead, I try to take the advice of my wonderfully supportive husband who says “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” I focus on the present. I enjoy packing an order or making a seasonal soap. I love making behind-the-scenes videos to share with my customers. I focus on the things I love and whittle away at the other stuff (paperwork!!!) one bite at a time! It’s a struggle, but it’s worth it. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I like to think of myself as an artist. Many handmade bath & body products consist of melt, mix and pour. The same products, the same recipe, over and over. I’m constantly reinventing and changing. I study the process of soapmaking… I sketch my soap designs and draw inspiration from everything around me, from nature to food, to just abstract ideas. I try to embrace the different ways ingredients and fragrances work (or don’t work) together. I love to make products that are good for your skin but also beautiful to look at. I’m not the first person to make soap, and I won’t be the last. I have so much respect for fellow soapers because I know how much work it is. But I also know for me; it’s my therapy. I get lost in making soap. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
Over the years, I’ve had a lot of fun collaborating with other businesses! Themed products for corporate giveaways, custom gifts, custom products for events like weddings and showers, the possibilities are endless! Anyone can shoot me a message through my website or social media to talk about ways we can work together! One of the best ways to support a small business without spending a dime is like, comment and SHARE across my social media platforms! It’s incredible the relationships and support that can come from a click! And great reviews are the lifeblood of any small business! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.pattersonsfarm.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattersons_farm
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pattersonsfarm2018
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@pattersons_farm