Community Highlights: Meet Katrina Madden of ES Naturals

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katrina Madden.

Hi Katrina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I became interested in soapmaking when I was a teen. We had moved to the South from NJ and I went to an open-air market. I saw a lady slicing what I thought was candy and my Dad told me it was lye soap. I immediately became intrigued and researched how to make it. That was when I was in my late teens.

I continued to make soap as a hobby. It wasn’t until I had a family of my own that I had an Epiphany. I could make affordable skincare for the entire family. So I launched Epiphany Skincare in 2012. I started out just selling soaps; my clients liked my soaps so much they started requesting other skincare products such as lotions, sugar scrubs, facial oils, facial serums, and hyperpigmentation creams.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not always been a smooth road for me. I found that my business was doing well, I accumulated seven wholesale accounts and was working out the details of a very large account when I made a sudden decision to resign from my job to focus on my business full time. The large account that was in the works fell through and shortly thereafter, I found myself in a homeless situation with my kids. The funny thing is that no matter what my personal situation was, people were still requesting products from me. I found myself making soap in my hotel room to fulfill orders. I remember giggling to myself, thinking, “My clients won’t let me quit even if I wanted to. I’ve got to press forward.”

I think that was one of the biggest hurdles I’ve ever had to jump. Like many other businesses, I faced the challenges of doing business through COVID. I made a lot of my connections through Expos and Trade Shows, the COVID-19 Pandemic has forced me to move my business completely online.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My business is Epiphany Skincare, also known as ES Naturals. I have been perfecting my craft as a soap maker for 30 years. I am known for making natural skincare products. I take pride in the fact that I am knowledgeable about the ingredients that I use and that I have effective, affordable products that work. ES Naturals offers natural, toxin-free soaps and skincare products that the entire family can use.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
This may be a funny memory, but one of my favorite memories was of my Dad putting lotion on my legs. I had to be 2 or 3 years old because I was just amazed that his hand covered my whole leg.

Contact Info:

• Email: katrina@esnaturals.com
• Website: www.esnaturals.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/epiphany_skincare
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/EpiphanySkincare
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjLNUdkurDjx8HlVlGftATg

Image Credits
Headshot- Credit to Gulf Coast Panorama