We love all of the amazing independent designers out there and we wanted to find out more about what makes these creative types tick. If you do too, check out more of our Indie Designer Interviews.

If you've got super sensitive skin and can't deal with the harsh chemicals found in many mainstream beauty products, give handmade soaps a try. Gentle soaps made with all natural ingredients are the specialty of today's indie entrepreneur, Trish Herndon, owner of Pink Parchment Soaps.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work. My name is Trish Herndon and our company is Pink Parchment Soaps, LLC. We are a small, family company (mother and 2 daughters). We love making and using handmade soap. For us, making soap is a very creative process - from developing the formula and deciding on the fragrance, to deciding on the color.

How did you get started making soaps? Several years ago, we were on vacation in North Carolina and stopped in a small soap shop. They made the most beautiful soap we had ever seen. We also thought, "Oh, these will make wonderful gifts for our mothers," both of whom are incredibly difficult to buy for! With both Mother's day and birthdays right around the corner, we stocked up.

Once we returned to Michigan, we took a soap making class and, voila, we were hooked on making soap. After a few years of experimenting and using family, friends and neighbors as guinea pigs, Pink Parchment Soaps was born. We love making soap as well as experimenting with new formulas and ingredients. We take pride in making soap that we love and feel that others will truly enjoy using. We only use ingredients that we feel are not only safe but good for our skin.

Any advice you would give to aspiring indie business owners? Love every aspect of creating and designing your product.

What inspires your work? Everything! Nature, food, the sunset. Colors and fragrances are everywhere!

Who are your favorite designers? Chanel, Gucci, Dior

What are your top fashion & beauty must-haves? At least 10 different soaps at one time! Lancome makeup and a great purse!

Where can people find your work? www.pinkparchmentsoaps.com, www.pinkparchmentsoaps.etsy.com, www.scentaddict.com

Anything else? We would like people to know that we love making soaps and experimenting with new formulas and ingredients. We take pride in making soap that we love and feel that others will truly enjoy using. We only use ingredients that we feel are both safe and good for our skin. People should also know that once they start using handmade soap they will never go back to commercial soap again.
Using handmade soap is as addictive as making it!