Meet Jenecia Durr | Soap artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenecia Durr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenecia, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of my brand is the option for total customization. It’s something you don’t find a lot of in the soaping industry. Many companies pre-make soap and the customer has to take whatever they can find. With my brand, the customer; people with skin sensitivities/ allergies, people looking to expand their product line while staying true to their own unique brand, people who want something special made for a loved one can all build soap that matches their needs specifically without having to make it themselves.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from other soap brands is the artistic nature and 100% customization aspect. I look around in stores and see cookie cutter bars of soap. The most appealing part of most is the packaging. I feel as though the soap inside should be just as beautiful. I make soap that causes myself and others feel something. It’s not just soap, it’s a little slice of magic, a story, a unique penguin pebble to a loved one. While I’m still growing professionally, my daughter, my intense curiosity and desire to spread beauty and wonder got me where I am today.
It hasn’t been easy because I was worried about what other people would think when I told them I was a soap maker. A nagging voice inside of me was like, “that’s NOT a profession.” I’ve heard many times that the market is oversaturated and that I couldn’t build a business off of making soap. I allowed those words to play over and over in my head. I almost stopped making soap, but one day I understood that my vision wasn’t for others and my desire to make soap wasn’t going away.
I fed the soaping fire and stopped listening to the negative whispers from myself and others.
I’m proud of myself for learning new artistic soaping techniques that would have scared me away a year ago. I’m proud that I am following my bliss and going where my creativity takes me.
I want the world to know that I don’t just focus on making beautiful soap, the ingredients inside are even more important. I work with many people with allergies. They choose what goes into their soap and they like to know that I use only high quality ingredients. Paul Hollywood would say my soaps have both style and substance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting I would first take them to Old Taylor High School. It is, hands down, the coolest find that I’ve made in the past 5 years. We would take a class or two at Wilco art lab and visit the boutiques. We would end the night with beer and live music outside under the trees. We would visit the Farmers market at Mueller, go to Port Aransas for some beach and fishing fun for a couple of days. I’ve heard of a place called Wonder spaces in Austin that I have never visited, but feel as though it would be a great outing. If we could, we would squeeze in a trip to a VR room or an escape room.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A friend, Jennifer, convinced me to give soap making a try. I was hesitant because I’ve seen Fight Club and the soap making scene. She insured me it wasn’t that dramatic. Of course, she was right. Another friend, Leeanne, gifted me my first stick blender to get me started. Their support definitely encouraged me to start.

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Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCVx42aS2FFpmpCJxTAKw5Dg

Image Credits
Renee Knesek