Tradition Meets Self-Care: The Story Behind Calisota Suds
Share
There’s something truly special about a business rooted in tradition, and Calisota Suds is just that, a beautiful blend of heritage, heart, and handmade goodness. What started as a tribute to her grandmother’s soap-making legacy has blossomed into a thoughtfully crafted line of gentle, nourishing bath and body products made for sensitive skin. From moisturizing bar soaps and bubbly bath salts to luxurious body oils and scrubs, every product is made with care, creativity, and purpose.
Erica began this journey to help soothe her son’s eczema and create something her own skin could love, too. What sets Calisota Suds apart is the meticulous attention to every ingredient, including time-honored touches like lard and therapeutic oils, plus vegan-friendly options for every lifestyle. My whole family has fallen in love with her products, they insist I keep her soaps and bath bombs stocked at home at all times! Whether you shop online, visit a local market, or stop by Bougie Beach Co., you’ll find products that are indulgent, effective, and always made with love.
Let's see what Erica has to say!
Tell us a little bit about your company. What products do you offer? Calisota Suds is a soap and bath products company that began as a heartfelt tribute to my grandmother, who used to make soap using simple, natural ingredients, like lard, from our family farm in Minnesota. Inspired by her tradition and my own passion for soap and skincare, I created a line focused on gentle, moisturizing products designed especially for sensitive skin.
I specialize in handcrafted soap and skincare items that nourish and pamper the skin. Our product range includes: Bar Soaps, Shaving Bars, Liquid Soaps, Shower Steamers, Lip Butters, Lip Scrubs, Bubbly Bath Salts, Sugar Scrubs, Body Oils and Lotions.
At Calisota Suds, we take pride in using thoughtful ingredients to create products that are both effective and indulgent.
Why did you start your business? I started Calisota Suds to create a soap that could help soothe my son’s eczema . For me, I wanted to make a gentle bar of soap that wouldn’t dry out my sensitive skin. Above all, it stems from my love for crafting handmade soap and skincare products and being able to share that experience with others.
What sets you apart from other brands similar to yours? What makes Calisota Suds unique is the research and care I put into every recipe to achieve specific results. I honor tradition by using lard, just like my grandmother did, and infuse some products with carefully selected oils that provide therapeutic benefits and create distinctive scents. I also have developed plant based products that are vegan friendly. Every bar of soap is designed with love and is truly a unique work of art.
Where do you see the future of your business?I’m excited about building strong customer loyalty over the next year and expanding into local markets and online platforms. I also look forward to collaborating with local boutiques, wineries, and breweries. Hosting soap and skincare parties to bring family and friends together is another goal. Ultimately, I hope to open my own storefront someday.
Where are your products offered? You can find my products at local pop-up markets and Bougie Beach Co. I’m at Portside Harbor in Ventura (1196 Portside Dr) once a month and at Hollywood Beach Market (112 Los Altos Dr) on the second Sunday of every month. You can also order directly from my website, www.calisotasuds.com, or direct message me on Instagram.
Would you like to offer anything special to our readers?I’d love to offer your readers a 10% discount on their first order as a special thank you! Please use code BOUGIE10 when checking out in-person or online at calisotasuds.com.
