Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Local Entrepreneur Deanna Kelly, founder of Naples Soap Company, has developed a national following with her use of sea salt in soaps and natural personal care products geared towards eczema and psoriasis sufferers. Ms. Kelly, a former nurse, has extensive personal experience and frustration dealing with eczema and psoriasis. She has had both most of her adult life. When her daughter was born 17 years ago, she watched her suffer for years with little to no relief from traditional methods recommended. “It’s one thing to deal with these issues yourself, but when you see your child suffer it brings a whole new level of frustration and pain to your life”, Ms. Kelly states.
Naples Soap Company was founded in 2009 with an entrepreneurial spirit and true desire to help others suffering with chronic skin conditions. The Company began in 2009 taking a small 300 square foot space at Tin City in Naples. Kelly focused on products that had beneficial ingredients she recognized bringing relief for herself and her daughter. The bases for the products are all natural such as shea butter, cocoa butter, essential oils, olive oils, and sea salt. “I found that my skin responded to salt water when I went in the Gulf, so I created a sea salt soap that would mimic the beneficial mineral effects I received from the salt water.
It not only worked, it worked really well.” Kelly states. Naples Soap Company has now helped thousands of people suffering with chronic skin complaints. They ship products nationwide and have developed a “cult” following. Kelly adds “we had an overwhelming response and reports of success from our customers so we began expanding the line and product offerings to meet the client needs”.
Naples Soap Company’s success gained the attention of local medical experts who now purchase products for their patients. Premiere Oncology, which has multiple centers in Southwest Florida, provides their cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation Naples Soap Company products. “Some patients can develop sensitivities during treatment and the unscented line of products Naples Soap Company developed for us is a tremendous value added service to our patients”, states Tracy Taylor with Premiere Oncology Kelly felt that what you do not put on your skin is just as important as what you do put on it. “Many personal care products contain harmful chemicals such as propylene glycol, which is essentially anti-freeze, parabens, which are illegal in some countries, and mineral oil or petroleum by products” Kelly reports. She adds, “these chemicals can irritate sensitive skin when used over periods of time”.
Due to the tremendous response from her customers, and in an effort to educate consumers Ms. Kelly decided to take her information public and now hosts a weekly radio show called “The Soap Dish” every Saturday from 7-8 am on 92.5 WFSX Fox News FM Talk. The show has grown in popularity and includes regular guest speakers such as Dr. Allen Weiss, President and CEO of Naples Community Healthcare.
Naples Soap Company has grown rapidly in Southwest Florida since opening in 2009 expanding to stores in Downtown Ft. Myers River District, Fishermen’s Village Punta Gorda, and Lakewood Ranch Sarasota.
Their success spans to the reaches of many high end spas in local hotels such as The Ritz Carlton Naples, Naples Beach Hotel, La Playa, and The Hyatt at Coconut Point. “ The therapists and estheticians at these spas appreciate the quality of all natural products and enjoy passing them along to discerning clients” Kelly states. Deanna Kelly was awarded the 2011 Entrepreneurship Award from the Collier County Economic Development Council.
Naples Soap Company plans to expand to 25 stores in Florida over the next 5 years. The Company is currently looking to establish a 10,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Lee County. “We attribute our success to our customers and the constant feedback we receive from them. It allows me to create better products and continue to help others with chronic skin conditions. I launch 15-30 new products a month. Manufacturing and vertical integration is a natural move for our company at this time” Kelly says.
For further information visit one of Naples Soap Company stores in Tin City Naples, 2273 First Street in Downtown Ft. Myers, Fishermen’s Village Punta Gorda, or Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota. Visit naplessoap.com or friend Naples Soap Company on facebook.
VISIT US
Tin City ~ Naples 1200 Fifth Ave South , #102,
Naples, FL
239-352-7627
River District ~ Downtown Ft. Myers
2273 First Street, Ft. Myers, FL
239-226-9005
Fishermen’s Village ~ Punta Gorda
1200 West Retta Esplanade, D-5
941-916-9260
www.naplessoap.com
