Meet Shreya Ramesh | Soap Maker & Dance Fitness Instructor & Project Manager

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

Hi Shreya, what do you attribute your success to?
As a small business soap maker, I take pride in staying authentically creative. From the beginning, I’ve been committed to creating products that reflect my values while meeting my customers’ needs. My soaps are designed to look good, feel good, and tell a story. Creativity is at the heart of Create With Shrey, with many products inspired by personal stories or inspirations that resonate with my customers, adding a deeper connection to each item.

For example, I created the Arnica Muscle Rub to help my parents with their aching muscles. It is power-packed with organically infused arnica, menthol, magnesium, and essential oils. The Regency Collection was inspired by the Bridgerton show, while the Eras Collection features soaps inspired by song lyrics. The Exfoliating Turmeric Soaps and Scrubs reverence an ancient Indian turmeric face mask tradition that my college roommates and I frequently relied on for our skin issues. Each product uniquely connects with my customers, as body care and fragrance have a lovely way of awakening nostalgic memories.

By consistently using high-quality ingredients and carefully curated formulas, I’ve built trust with my customers. Drawing on my UC Berkeley degrees in biology and geology, I understand the chemistry behind body care and have the scientific expertise to support my ingredient choices. No matter how creatively I explore new designs and concepts, my customers can always count on my products to be highly effective, luxurious, and visually appealing.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m thrilled to share the journey of Create With Shrey, where creativity, quality, and passion come together to craft premium, artisan soap products. I am most proud of my commitment to authenticity and innovation. Each soap is not just a product but a piece of art, inspired by personal stories, natural ingredients, and a love for the craft. I take pride in using only the finest ingredients, ensuring that every bar of soap is not only beautiful but also nourishing and gentle on the skin.

Like any small business, the road hasn’t been easy. Challenges arose at every step—learning the intricacies of soap making during the pandemic, finding the right suppliers, and building a brand virtually prior to market season. The early days were particularly tough as I juggled the creative process, learned the business side of things, and balanced my day job as an oil & gas project manager and second passion as a dance fitness instructor, with raising two young toddlers. Once the winter market season began, I spent long hours on weekends away from my husband and children, meeting new customers and building my brand within the local community. Time became a precious currency, and as a one-woman show, I knew that every minute had to be carefully planned to achieve my business goals while still being present for my family and other commitments. I overcame these challenges by staying focused on my passion and frequently reminding myself why I started this journey: to create something meaningful and unique. The journey is far from over, and I am excited for the new chapters ahead.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of perseverance. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s essential to stay committed even when things get tough. I also learned the value of community and mentorship—having the support of my amazing husband, family and friends, and the guidance of experienced mentors were invaluable in shaping my business. Additionally the incredible community of small business vendors I have met through various markets, have continued to inspire me through this roller coaster of entrepreneurship.

I want the world to know that Create With Shrey is a brand is built on passion, creativity, and a deep respect for the craft. Every soap I make reflects my journey and my commitment to offering something special to my customers. My hope is that when people use my soap, they not only enjoy the luxurious experience but also feel a connection to the story and care behind each product.

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.
Houston is full of hidden gems. I absolutely love the city’s diversity, its (underappreciated) greenery, and its incredible food scene. Here’s my must-have week-long itinerary with my bestie—calories and cost not a factor!

Day 1:
-Brunch at The Grove, followed by a stroll around Discovery Green
-Dinner at Xochi

Day 2:
-Lounge in the Texas-shaped lazy river at the Marriott Marquis
-Coffee and pastries at Common Bond
-Lunch at Phoenicia
-Dinner at Ninfa’s on Navigation
-Sugar fix with cinco leches from Cuchara

Day 3:
-Explore Hermann Park, with a boat ride or a walk through the greenery
-Brunch at Lucy’s
-Dinner at Uchi
-Sugar fix with cookies from Tiny Boxwood’s

Day 4:
-Explore Buffalo Bayou Park, including a stop at the Cistern
-Brunch at The Dunlavy
-Visit the bat colony on Waugh around sunset
-Dinner at Sorrento
-Sugar fix with Amy’s Ice Cream

Day 5:
-Full tour of NASA
-Lunch at Nobi Public House
-Visit Galveston
-Dinner at Sharkys

Day 6:
-Stroll through The Heights vintage shops on 19th Street
-Coffee at Boomtown
-Lunch at Coltivare
-Visit the Art Car Museum
-Dinner at Da Gama

Day 7:
-Breakfast tacos at Sunrise Taquitos
-Explore Memorial Park, go for a hike on the trails, or visit the Houston Arboretum
-Lunch at Bollo Pizzeria
-Dinner at Aga’s

Cultural Events:
Houston hosts incredible cultural events throughout the year. Consider swapping out any day, if the visit coincides with the Greek Festival, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Italian Festival, Korean Festival, etc.

Rainy Day Alternatives:
If it rains, consider swapping out any day with a visit to the Museum District (Menil, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Natural Science, Health Museum, etc.), a relaxing spa day at Trellis or Hotel ZaZa, or explore the hidden spas of Chinatown and grab your favorite taro milk tea boba.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Aside from my loving family and friends, who have encouraged me every step of the way, I am deeply grateful to my two soap mentors, Cherie from The Natural Cottage, and Cheryl from Alchemy Clay and Soap. Despite successfully running their own thriving businesses, these incredible women took time out of their busy schedules to personally share their best tips and tricks with me, drawing from over 40 years of expertise in the craft. Thanks to their mentorship and guidance, I was able to significantly shorten my learning curve in basic soap making and dive straight into the creative aspects. Thank you for believing in me, sharing your wisdom, and inspiring me to push the boundaries of creativity and quality.

I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all my supporters and customers—if you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart for inspiring me to keep creating!

Website: https://www.createwithshrey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createwithshrey/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Create-With-Shrey-100086749521634/?_rdr

Image Credits
Shreya Ramesh