Hello Friends! This is Donnie, owner of Smooth Acres Finest located in Inman, South Carolina. I wanted to introduce myself, welcome you to the website, and share my story on how I evolved into a soap-maker.

                I am a chemist and a process engineer with a background in development and scale-up in pharmaceuticals, pet food, and cleaners. My main responsibility throughout my career has been ensuring products made in R&D were identical to production. I achieve this task by developing standard operation procedures outlining the specific, exact directions for the type of testing needed for raw materials, check points for sample testing during the production process, as well as final testing at product completion and release.

                I began dabbling in cold process soaps back in 2015. I was working on an industrial scale-up that failed. I began researching and testing each step in the manufacturing process to determine the cause so I could make the appropriate modifications. What I discovered was I had essentially converted the main ingredient, chicken fat, into soap. Now that I knew the cause of the failure, I was able to modify the process for a successful scale-up.

                One thing about me is that I enjoy learning new things. I became fascinated with cold process soaps. I continued studying the chemical reactions that took place and the differences between the various types of oils used as well as the properties each oil contributed to a bar of soap. Once I had an understanding, I took the next step and made my first batch of soap. Of course, as a scientist, I took my notes and recorded each step of the process. These notes allowed me to determine critical points, such as the water to sodium hydroxide concentration. When I finished the batch, I placed the molds containing the soap in an insulated container and left it to cure for 2 days. Afterwards, I cut the soap into bars and placed the bars on a drying rack. 8 weeks later, I went to take a shower to find I was out of my regular bar soap. Not wanting to go to the store, I remembered the soap I had made. I grabbed a bar and began to use it. Soon my wife asked me where I bought the new soap. She really liked it and the new soap was not drying out her skin. I also noticed that the little white flakes I previously found on my arms were no longer there. She was surprised to learn that I had made the soap. I began making soap on a regular basis instead of buying it.         

       We had company staying with us and it turned out that they really liked the soap too. Our friends began inquiring about the soap when they used our guest bathroom. This was the start of my new hobby growing into something more. Next thing I knew, I had more people asking for soap.

                One day I delivered some soap to a friend. His wife asked me if made bath bombs as well. I had never heard of them before but was curious. She explained what they were and why they were so wonderful. Afterwards, I did some research and tried a few different recipes I found online. These recipes were “alright” but one drop too much water and the bath bomb became a dud. I put my experience to the test and developed my own recipes with my own processes. I found making bath bombs was fun and relaxing. However, I also found that they disappeared fast! After all I have a wife and 2 daughters that apparently like to use them.

                When I began selling outside my circle of friends and family, I was asked why my soaps and bath bombs were so good. I was also asked if they were made with cheap ingredients or if my ingredients come from China. I responded, letting customers know, I myself use these products as well as my friends and family. This includes my wife and children. I only use Food grade or USP Ingredients (U.S. Pharmacopia, made in FDA approved facilities). All ingredients are from the U.S. with exception of select oils that are purchased from Italy, Greece, and Africa, ensuring fair trade and certified sustainable practices have been met.  I have recently begun to produce my own essential oils from plants I grow in my greenhouse just so I know that there were no pesticides used. In addition to this, when I do create a new product, I test it on myself before I let anyone else sample it. If I like it, I will provide samples to my friends and seek their feedback. Quality will always be my number one priority.

                After many years of making soaps and bath bombs, I still research and study the chemical reactions looking for ways to improve the quality. This hobby may be manifesting into a business, but from my eyes, it is a hobby that allows me to have fun using my chemistry skills as well as being creative. After all, chemistry is fun.

“Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.” ~William A. Foster