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As Handwashing Becomes More Important a Craft Soap-Maker Looks for New Ways to Sell Soap

When the economy "tanked" in 2008, Bill Smith decided to drop his work as an engineer and become a full-time soap-maker. He got his introduction to making soap at a workshop at Itasca State Park 10 years earlier, and had been experimenting to find the best formula ever since. Now he makes over 50 kinds of soap in his kitchen, and keeps the inventory in his basement. His business is called AM Soap Company.

About half of Bill's sales normally come from art and craft shows. Unfortunately, spring and early summer shows have been cancelled, with tough consequences for Bill's new vocation. The gift shops that sell his wares are also closed. He still has sales through Whole Foods in Duluth and at a grocery in Long Prairie. His nephew has recently stepped up to build a website where customers can order online. It will be available soon.

You will definitely want to listen to Bill's story in his own words in the interview below! Until the new web portal is up and running, you can contact him via email if you'd like to wash your hands in some of Bill's specially formulated soap: info@amsoapcompany.com

Maggie is a rural public radio guru; someone who can get you through both minor jams and near catastrophes and still come out ahead of the game. She pens our grants, reports to the Board of Directors and helps guide our station into the dawn of a new era. Maggie is a locavore to the max (as evidenced on Wednesday mornings), brings in months’ worth of kale each fall, has heat on in her office 12 months a year, and drinks coffee out of a plastic 1987 KAXE mug every day. Doting parents and grandparents, she and her husband Dennis live in the asphalt jungle of East Nary.