A Menomonee Falls business owner is making and selling soap to benefit Ukraine
When Layla Obregon saw the news about Russia invading Ukraine, she immediately wanted to do something to help.
She lived in Germany when she was younger, when her parents were in the military. Through those experiences seeing the world and meeting people from other countries, she learned the importance of helping others and connecting with people everywhere.
"We did not live in (Ukraine), but it hit close to home. When you see the news, you can wallow and think how sad. But I thought, 'I have to do something,'" she explained.
Her store, Poppy & Thyme in Menomonee Falls, is a handmade bath and body shop featuring bath bombs, soap, candles and other gifts for self-pampering.
Since she already was making soap in her store, it seemed fitting to sell homemade soap in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Soap sells for $8 per bar; of that, she donates $5 to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that serves meals to displaced Ukrainian people.
"It is a great organization, and people should not have to worry about food," she said.
Finding ways to use her homemade products to help others and fill a need in the community is not a new concept to Obregon.
During the pandemic, when word got out that her shop was selling hand sanitizer, she shipped sanitizer to nearly every state. Her product stands out because she offers a variety of unique scents and can even make custom scents by request.
"It (sanitizer) is a way of life now," she said. "We will keep it. If we have to use it, let's make it smell good."
Celebrating four years
When Obregon moved from Seattle to Menomonee Falls, she took a risk, turning something she did as a hobby into a business.
Initially, she interviewed for technology roles, as she had worked full-time in the field in Seattle. But then she had second thoughts. "I just thought, I just don't want to do this," she said.
Obregon had started making her own products at craft shows more than 10 years ago, where they were a hit. After she moved to the Falls, her new husband, Ruben, noticed a storefront in downtown Menomonee Falls that would be perfect to start her business. She signed a lease in November 2017.
"That was the most impulsive thing I did, but I would not change it," she said.
Poppy & Thyme opened March 1, 2018.
When she first opened, her goal was to help the community. She joined the BID board, and now, she is chair of the second annual Lavender Fest.
She is also always thinking about ways to expand her business. For instance, she wants to market wholesale products to organizations and companies for soap, lip balm or other homemade products. The products could be customized with a company's logo and contact information for companies to give away as promotional materials.
"If you want to start your own business, just make sure you love it with all of your heart," she advised.
For more information on Poppy & Thyme, visit poppyandthyme.com.
Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kozlowicz_cathy.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Menomonee Falls business is making and selling soap to benefit Ukraine
