Our Family

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. 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.

Ben, one of Sam’s close 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.

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.

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 an invaluable member of our family. 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!

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."

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. 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.

Hunter also joined the Chagrin Valley family in the summer of 2021. He is Susanna's husband which adds the third 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.

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.