My Story of Why & How I Created
The Expedition Soap Company
by Spencer Kelly, Teen Entrepreneur and Lead Expeditioneer
My story starts one afternoon at the beginning of summer 2016. I was 14 years old and had just finished 9th grade. My friend and I had gone to a local restaurant to celebrate when, after our meal, we found that our bicycles had been stolen! I was mad - that bike took me everywhere! Fortunately, my dad bought me a new replacement bike. However he had one condition, and it was mandatory - I had to figure out a way to repay him by the end of that summer! After a childhood of business books and dreamed-up ventures, I began my quest to repay my father and just maybe build something grand!
Roughly a week later, I was in the shower and the soap I was using was downright terrible! I thought to myself "I could do better!". I didn't want ordinary soap with harsh and unhealthy chemical ingredients. I wanted a soap bar that had gentle, natural ingredients and creamy dreamy lather. I thought, "Why don't I do better"?
I started 7 years ago with less than 100 bars of soap, but since, my skincare product line has grown. All of my soap bars, body butter, lip balms, sugar scrubs, shower steamers, and bath bombs are handcrafted. Our customers love our products! They love to use them, and they love even more to gift them! Word of mouth advertising by our customers has kept my business consistently growing strong over these past 7 years.
Every one of my soap bars begins with 5 skin-loving plant oils to delight your skin; coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil. Organic Shea Butter is added into this base and this is THE basis for every single one of my cold process soap bars. My bars differ in variety due to the various add-ins of the highest quality, skin-safe phthalate-free fragrance oils and/or essential oils and colorants, as well as some additional all-natural skin treats for scrubbing, exfoliation or detoxing. An added bonus is the creamy, dreamy lather you'll experience when you wash with my soap bars.
Now you can understand why we say that "We Are What's REAL in Skin Care"! All of my soap bars are premium luxury REAL soap bars that are scented so deliciously, you just might be tempted to bite into the bar, like I was and did! Careful not to sniff the soaps when hungry!
In February 2017, I added to our product line skin-softening handmade vegan organic Shea Butter body butter. In September 2017, I have added handmade organic Shea Butter bath bombs into our product line. In October 2019, I added handmade organic Shea Butter Luxurious Lip balms. In October 2020, I added handmade organic Shea Butter Sugar Scrubs. In 2023 I added foaming hand soaps, candles, and bath salts. All of these product lines are just an amazing sensory delight, from smell to feel and superb quality. Just wait until you give these a try!
I am Spencer Kelly, a 23-year-old entrepreneur and Oakland University graduate with my BS in Accounting in the Honors Business program. I also happen to have Asperger Syndrome (an Autism Spectrum Disorder) and part of my company mission is to give back and create awareness about autism. I live in Lake Orion, MI. Having been inspired back in 5th grade when I began reading business books, I knew running my own business was right for me! I have big entrepreneurial dreams & my company began with a dream, an open mind, a lot of hard work, and some amazing bars of soap!
I found that starting a business from scratch is challenging in many parts, like even coming up with a good company name & logo. But every challenge that I encounter is worth the reward of creating this awesome business that I did!
When I created the name "The Expedition Soap Company", I remembered reading about the struggles of the Victorian explorers of Africa, and I wanted to name my company in tribute to my love of history.
Being that I am an avid reader and study of words, just look at the definition for:
ex·pe·di·tionˌekspəˈdiSH(ə)n/ noun1.a journey or voyage undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially that of exploration.
The Expedition Soap Company name is just fitting, as we're all on a journey in life. But, when we are open to exploring new experiences, your mind will grow and your whole life can change (and smell better!)! Now, I have a business that I never dreamed possible, and I couldn't be more grateful for this expedition that I have embarked upon.
If you would, please join me in my expedition, and you will be sent into sensory heaven with my delightfully scented soaps, amazingly silky-smooth body butter, plus luxurious relaxing bath bombs, exfoliating sugar scrubs, moisture-locking lip balms, and more. Your shower will never be the same again!
Thanks to my company, I also have given back to numerous charities. USAutism.org, and OU CARES, two autism organizations that I love to support, as well as additional others such as The American Cancer Society, Game On Cancer, The United Way, The Judson Center and The Barn Sanctuary! I also hold random giveaways on Facebook and via e-mail, so be sure to follow along on these social platforms to participate. There is one lesson in life that I learned young: You Get Back What You Give! It's important to me to give back when I can, as this is an important part of my life expedition!
Now, as with life, you grow and change. Beginning 2024, I decided to sell this business to my dear brother Grant. He's always played an important role in this business. Now, he's20 and has stepped in as owner, so I can leave knowing this business is in great hands. Grant has been an integral part of this business since he was 12, so he's beyond capable. In fact, I couldn't think of a more perfect replacement. As for me, well, stay in touch. I have great things planned!
Spencer Kelly, 23-year-old, founder of The Expedition Soap Company
