Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Scott.
Hi Shelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi! I’m Shelly, together with my husband Steven, we founded Little House on the Homestead because of a problem we needed to solve. Our beginning started in 2015 when we were blessed with our son Sawyer. He was perfect in every way, but from the beginning, we struggled with his problematic skin issues that continued to be misdiagnosed.
After trying all the things without finding success, we knew we needed to get back to the basics and adopt a more natural lifestyle for our family, just like my Grandmother, harnessing plants that could grow on our 21-acre hobby farm. On the farm, we grow herbs, botanicals, and fruits from the garden to put back into many of the products we still have today for their skin benefits! Ridding our routine of harsh chemicals and manufactured ingredients is what worked for us and our family. It was our goal to help other families find that same freedom and use products they could be proud of.
All of our skincare products are handmade in our basement studio in Alexandria, Minnesota. Proudly made in small batches with all-natural ingredients and pure essential oils. (No, we won’t compromise our values even if you ask!) We take great pride in making, labeling, and manufacturing products the old-fashioned way right here in the USA.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wouldn’t say that it’s been “smooth sailing,” entrepreneurship is hard and you have to learn as you go. Making long-lasting relationships and relying on artisans that have been there and farther along in their journey. Luckily, I had this soap maker that took me under her wing all those years ago and taught me about product customization, how to use a silicone soap mold, and how to get essential oils to shine in soaps!
There have been many failed batches, batches I had to scoop out of the soap mold, batches that have seized entirely in the bowl, and simply learning about time management as a business owner. Luckily when we fail, my husband Steven and I learn as much as we can to not repeat the same mistake twice (because mistakes like failed batches can be costly)… plus he’s good at math when customizing + scaling our product batches and that’s admittedly not my strong suit!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I am a Medical Sign Language Interpreter, but before switching gears to interpretation I went to art school majoring in graphic design. My Mom is an artist and she inspired me to continue my art through education, I always knew I wanted to do something creative with my hands, and I do that as an interpreter, but admittedly I was yearning for more. At the same time, my husband was teaching music, as a guitar teacher, at our local music shop.
The pandemic happened and everything was shut down, so led by God, we took a chance and retired him from teaching and began to work together on the farm growing our business. As a fifth-generation farmer, I am super knowledgeable about growing healthy things, so we began expanding the gardens and setting ourselves up for the future of our homestead and business. It’s the farm + what’s grown there that sets us apart from the crowd.
We don’t have to wonder where many of the ingredients came from because we grew them organically and just like Grandma, we know they work. The farm + teaching our children about how to grow healthy things for themselves and their families for generations to come is what we are most proud of. Leaving that legacy for them is important to us.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My husband, Steven, he deserves more credit than I care to admit. Through the thick and thin, joys and tears he’s been there as my largest cheerleader. I don’t tell him enough, but I’m glad he keeps pushing me through the hard times when I feel like giving up. He reminds me of our dreams of helping people and I quickly remember what God laid upon our hearts all those years ago.
To my kids Sawyer + Oakley for being my shipping department, packing, and garden harvesters, and spending time with me in the studio when we’ve had to work late nights to grow. Our immediate family + close friends have been amazing at always showing up for us, attending our events, and purchasing for their friends and families.
Steven + I couldn’t do it though without our amazing business collaborations + coaches: Creative Touch Boutique, Wildbloom Flower Shoppe, Creations by Sota Weddings, 6th + Broadway, Copper Trail Brewing, Superbee Honey, Smude Sunflower Oil, Julie-Rustic Roots Farm, Hastings Creamery, Millerville Creamery + Co-op, Amy- MN Olive Oil, Stacy- ANB, Donna-Donna Jensen PA, Darlene- Minnesota Lavender Farm, Christopher Pinatiello Real Estate, Sarah William- Launch Your Box, Chelsea Wessman Coaching, Samantha- Sam Squared Photography, Betsy Goodman- B Goods Lettering, Lauren Jacobs- The Cheerful Baker, MandieLee- Gabbie + Co, Denise- Crafty DIYer, AND our amazing customers, we could not continue to grow without them. Each one of these folks listed has taken a chance on our small business, purchased something to support us, and coached us to be the best business we can be!
Pricing:
- Artisan Soaps are $10 per bar
- The Botanical Soap Club $16 + Shipping
- The Skincare Farm Box $49.95 + Shipping
- Beeswax Candles $7-13.50
- Tallow Skincare $9.50-$13.50
Contact Info:
- Website: shoplittlehouseonthehomestead.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlehouseonthehomesteadmn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlehouseonthehomesteadmn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLrTszkA3pQqwPAwwxHS8Gg
Image Credits
Sam Squared Photography
