Our Family

I may have created this business, but we would not be who we are today without our Chagrin Valley Soap Family. We are a small group of people who share a common trait—we love the work we do.

We are a team of passionate people who work hard, enjoy working together, aspire to be the best, value our company mission, and take pride in what we do.

Our shop is full of laughter and creative energy that inspires and motivates. Enthusiasm feeds our company culture.

We share ideas, we share a vision, and we are rewarded with a sense that our time together makes a difference.

Although when I awake on a snowy morning I would love to sleep in, I look forward to my day because of the awesome people with which I spend my time.

That is extraordinary!

Ida

From newborn nursery nurse to middle school science teacher, to soapmaker, my career path has been a journey filled with the love of people, nature, science, learning, and teaching. Throughout the journey, my favorite “career” is being a mom. The memories of the games, walks in the park, storytimes, family holidays, laughter, and tears will forever be there. My children have grown into loving adults and now I am blessed with wonderful sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. I am married to my soul mate, best friend, and biggest fan. As a breast cancer survivor, I delight in growing older. I celebrate my age (over 68) and always remember the importance of living each day to its fullest doing things I love to do, with the people I love and doing them with passion. Chagrin Valley Soap is infused with everyone and everything that has enriched my life.

Sam

From directing and acting on the theater stage to teaching in classrooms both at home and abroad, Sam led an adventurous life before partnering with his mom at Chagrin Valley Soap in 2007. Over the years he gained an intimate knowledge of running a company as well as a love, respect, and understanding of the world of small business. In 2022 Sam set out to fulfill another dream; to create a sustainable shopping environment that nurtures local, small makers and sellers. The project called “City Goods,” located in the Hingetown neighborhood here in Cleveland, was created out of a love for our company and the desire to provide small local businesses a place in the retail world. Although Sam is no longer involved in the daily operations of Chagrin Valley Soap, he still consults for sales and marketing and is often the voice of our company. Also, we are one of the 20+ local businesses located in the dome-shaped hangars at City Goods. We are excited to be a part of this innovative project and are all cheering for Sam as he paves the way for the future success of small business owners in our community.

David

While David joined the Chagrin Valley family in 2014, he has been a part of my family since marrying my daughter, Sarah, in 2010. David was born in South Africa and now must get used to Cleveland winters. “Growing up in South Africa, where I bore witness to Africa's awe-inspiring wildlife, majestic landscapes, and lively tropical oceans has allowed nature and deep respect for the world we live in to sink deep into my heart.” David worked in his family's business, as a marketing manager, while earning a degree in marketing from The University of South Africa. He is in charge of everything tech. Cooking with Sarah is his favorite after-work activity. “Food and cooking drive my appreciation for the unique products at Chagrin Valley. It's exciting to take quality fresh ingredients and turn them into something amazing.” He loves to get out on a sunny day and go for a good run, to soak up the fresh air. David is excited to be a part of our family business. “I have big aspirations for the Chagrin Valley Soap Company. I believe firmly in its' mission.”

Ben

Ben, one of Sam’s closest friends, came to help during the 2010 Holiday season. He was so impressed and excited about the soap business that he quit his computer job and joined our “family.” He is passionate and enthusiastic about being involved in a small, growing business, especially one that corresponds to his strong feelings about the environment and personal wellness. Ben began as my soapmaking apprentice, quickly learned the technical aspects of making soap, and is now head soapmaker. As our jack-of-all-trades and operations manager, Ben orders all of our raw materials and always seems to find something to clean, fix, or organize. Outside of work, Ben practices yoga regularly and spends his time drawing and etching. He truly believes in our mission to provide high-quality natural skincare products.

Sarah

Sarah, my daughter, joined our team in the Fall of 2013. I made my first batch of soap when Sarah was only 14. Sarah has always been the first tester for all products, and my go-to person for brutally honest feedback. "I have had the opportunity to watch and learn as my mom's soap company grew from her hobby in our kitchen into an incredible business and look up to her as a mom, a mentor, a friend, an entrepreneur, and an overall inspiration." After graduating with her Master's in Global Policy, Sarah worked in PR in the non-profit sector. She is our Social Media and Public Relations guru here at Chagrin Valley Soap. "We know that all of YOU, our Chagrin Valley community, is the most important aspect of this company. I hope to engage with all of you, and be an active online presence and representative of our family company." Outside of work, Sarah enjoys cooking, traveling, and sharing time with friends. She values family above all, especially her husband David, and her three children.
Sarah's Favorite:Facial Oil: Argan Pumpkin

Christine

Christine has been a part of the Chagrin Valley Soap family since 2008 when she began by volunteering her time while I was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She was such a great fit that I begged her to stay. While Christine began as the Chagrin Valley Soap “slabber” and soap cutter, she is now our product manager. She enjoys working with a dedicated staff that shares her love for the outdoors and nature. Christine has a Business degree from Kent State University, loves music, art, cooking, animals, and spending time with loved ones. She bakes the most scrumptious chocolate chip cookies that I get on my birthday, half-birthday, Mother’s Day, actually anytime I ask! Christine would like to thank our customers for their continuing support and for inspiring us to create new and inventive ways to encourage a natural way of living.
Christine's Favorite:Roll On: Cedar Rose

Lindsey

Before coming to work at Chagrin Valley, Lindsey studied psychology and fashion merchandising. With her keen sense of design, she is one of my go-to people for new product and packaging ideas. Whenever I create new essential oil blends, Lindsey, along with Christine, are my best critics. When not at work, Lindsey enjoys trying out new restaurants, traveling, going to concerts, and spending time outdoors. Lindsey has great respect for nature and all things natural and enjoys being a part of a company that shares her values.
Lindsey's Favorite:Natural Soap: Sage Mist

Kate

Kate joined the Chagrin Valley family in the Spring of 2012 when we needed help after launching our new website. She is a sweet, kind, and gentle soul, so of course, we fell in love with her and she never left. With a background that covers everything from being a mom of three to a doula to an event planner, Kate has become Lindsey’s right hand. Each day finds her shipping our products all over the world, critiquing Ida’s latest creations, and suggesting ideas for new products and packaging. When not at the shop, Kate focuses on her family and loves spending time with friends, volunteering in the community, reading, and cooking. Her cooking is the part that I love. From her lemon blueberry bread to her cobbler cake and so much more, Kate is always surprising us with homemade goodies. She also gives great hugs!

Katie

Katie became part of our team in the summer of 2015. She had recently given birth to her first child. With one huge change taking shape in her life she figured "what's one more." So she left her job of 16 years to be part of our team! When she's not fast at work you will find Katie chasing after her son at the local parks or pool. After all, that running, she looks forward to vegging out on the couch with her family, a bowl of popcorn, and a good beer for movie night. Katie is so excited to have the opportunity to grow with another local company right here in her hometown. "It has been such a blast to work alongside and learn from these guys who have mastered this unique craft. I still look forward to coming to work each day knowing I will learn something new."

Christina

Christina started at Chagrin Valley in 2016 working at our downtown store and showcasing our products at local grocery stores. Since then she has worked in multiple areas of our everyday operations but currently deals with all Wholesale and Customer Service operations. She has always been passionate about using products on her body that are as pure and natural as possible and when she found Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve while searching online one day she knew not only did she want to purchase the products for herself, she wanted to be a part of the team! "To this day, the majority if not all of my body care products are from Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve! As someone who had struggled with skin issues for a long time, these products have made all the difference in my hair and skin and I truly believe it is because of the pure ingredients that are being used in the way that nature intended them to be used on our bodies. I am so proud to be a part of a company that’s products and mission align in a way that benefits not only the consumer but also the environment around us."
Christina's Favorite:Natural Soap: Bamboo Charcoal

Elisabeth

Elisabeth began working for Chagrin Valley in July 2018. Originally the majority of her day was spent packing orders and stocking products. Elisabeth, a fabulous baker, knows her way around a kitchen and understands the nuances of carefully crafting products. She now spends most of her time creating all of the products, other than soap and shampoo, that our customers love. She is passionate about travel because the experience of meeting new amazing people, sharing delicious food, and experiencing natural and manmade wonders is extraordinary. She loves our organic body powder especially the Lavender Rosemary and the Herbal Mist because they keep her cool on any day.

Anthony

Anthony joined the Chagrin Valley family in the Summer of 2016 after moving to Cleveland from Chicago. In school, he was always involved with music through marching bands, jazz bands, pit orchestras, chamber groups, and more. Although brass is his specialty, he enjoys playing many types of instruments. Today he focuses on the trombone and bass guitar and fills his free time hiking in Cleveland's Metroparks, reading, playing tennis, finding new music, attending concerts, and spending time with his precious pooch, Vale. His tasks at work are many and include packing web orders and packing and shipping wholesale orders. "Before joining the team, I hadn’t given much thought to the types of products I used on my skin and what they consisted of, but I soon became a strong believer in Chagrin Valley’s mission statement of simple and effective products derived from the natural world. CVS&S is a wonderful business to be a part of, and helping and watching it grow has been both exciting and very rewarding."

Brent

Brent joined the Chagrin Valley family in the fall of 2018, but he has been a fixture in our family as Kate's husband and a dear friend of Sam & Lindsey. His infectious enthusiasm and creative spirit align with the Chagrin Valley mission to be "inspired by nature" and feeds his need to live artistically and sustainably with nature. Brent describes himself as a "Dedicated husband and father of 3." He is a trained fine artist and an accomplished musician. Brent has genuine warmth in his heart for everyone, it is obvious in every word and deed every day. When I need to laugh (he tells great jokes), need some positive thoughts, or just a hug, Brent is my go-to guy.

Susanna

Although Susie joined Chagrin Valley Soap in the summer of 2021, she has been part of my family since 2015 when she began babysitting my four-legged furry child (Darby) when Howard and I travel. Susie, an extrovert by nature, manages our retail location at our Solon Soap Shop and works in customer service. “I enjoy listening to people talk about their skin issues. Whether it's dry itchy skin or another skin condition, I always hope I am able to help them find a solution. I truly believe in Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve products and it amazes me on a daily basis how many people we’ve helped with our products.” She is a zoologist who adores tutoring college students and volunteers at animal shelters when possible. She energizes herself by being outdoors in nature and likes activities such as foraging, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. In her downtime she loves to read, paint and listen to all kinds of music. Although, her biggest obsession is spending time with her husband and family.

Hunter

Hunter also joined the Chagrin Valley family in the summer of 2021. He is Susanna's husband which adds the fourth wife and husband team to our family. Having dedicated most of his adult life to the world of Culinary Arts, taking a step into the soap world has "been a great change of pace with excellent work and life balance." He now works with Ben to create all of our fabulous Soap and Shampoo Bars. When he isn’t in the kitchen at home he is in his home studio making electronic music. On weekends you can find him enjoying that same music in the audience or from the DJ booth.
Hunter's Favorite:Hair Oil: Jojoba Grapeseed

Chayim

Chayim, the son of Kate and Brent, joined our team in 2020, during the pandemic. He is one of our proud packing team and is always willing to help out any way he can. He always keeps me smiling as he greets me with a “Hi Boss” and a new joke of the day. Chayim is fond of food, “both cooking and eating.” He enjoys painting as both a recreational art and a medium of expression. He is often found outside walking and loves to discover a nice sunny spot to rest and relax.
Chayim's Favorite:Shampoo Bar: Nettle

Howard

Although he does not work in the business, if it wasn’t for my husband, Howard, Chagrin Valley Soap would not exist. From enclosing the porch for my first soap “factory,” building all of my molds, and allowing me to take over the whole house and “borrow” all of his kitchen utensils, he encouraged me to pursue a dream. As the business grew in our early years, he went with me to every farmers' market and craft show and was there every step of the way. His business and financial expertise helped guide our early growth and avoid many of the problems faced by small businesses. Howard, a retired attorney, is an accomplished woodworker and woodturner who can often be found in his woodshop making sawdust (that he tracks into the house) and listening to opera and the "oldies." Best of all, he is a fabulous cook and after a long day, I can usually expect a delicious home-cooked dinner.

Ida's Mom, Sophie

My mom passed away on March 3, 2020, at the age of 102. I would not be who I am today if not for her lifelong unconditional love. Since she will always be with me, I am leaving everything I had previously written below as is. Pablo Picasso said, “It takes a long time to become young.” Although she had to quit school at a young age to help her family during the depression, she is one of the smartest people I know. She looks only for the best in people and every person she meets she considers a treasure. Resolved that her age will not get in the way of living a full life, my mom is always busy. She even volunteers with the “elderly.” Well into her 90s she put labels on the soap and shampoo bar bags we used before our boxes. If you ask her what is most important, she promptly replies, “My family.” She still loves to dance and sing. She loves telling people about her daughter's soap factory! She taught me how to love!