South Bay Black Business Owner Puts Love Into Her Natural Products

REDONDO BEACH, CA — South Bay resident Rhonda Mitchell said over-the-counter products from dermatologists never worked for her skin issues, so she decided to make her own and create her own business Soaps and Butters for people who may have the same experience.

Mitchell started off selling to just her friends on Facebook but has since grown with her Etsy shop and pop-up stands throughout the South Bay, Los Angeles and Long Beach. She now has sold more than 20,000 items, has 3,000 positive reviews and has loyal customers who travel just to buy what she's selling.

"I have a lot of followers that have been with me since day one, so it's a great feeling," Mitchell said. "When I feel like giving up, I remember what I'm doing it for. Not just for me, but for others."

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mitchell said her business was booming because she specializes in natural products that can help boost immune systems such as black seed oil. Being a Black-owned business as well, Mitchell said, has been a benefit because people specifically search to support businesses like hers.

But toward the end of the pandemic, Mitchell saw sales take a nose dive and was scared she'd have to return to corporate America. She started going back to pop-ups after solely relying on her online orders and tried anything she could to make sure she stayed afloat.

"It was a scary struggle because it's not just me, but I have a daughter and she's also my business partner," Mitchell said. "It was scary for both of us because neither one of us wanted to return to corporate America."

Mitchell mainly sells her products — which include handmade skincare, body butters, body scrubs, oils and sprays, pure essential oils and hair products — at pop-up shops or stands outside of malls in addition to online.

The business has been a spiritual awakening for Mitchell, she said. Mitchell is dedicated to using the best ingredients that she can find and does a lot of research to make sure that the things she sells will help others.

In a day, people put almost 200 chemicals on their bodies according to Mitchell's research. She said that it's her mission to minimize that number because she said the chemicals can cause hormonal imbalances. She said her products help heal from the inside and that will show on the outside through people's skin.

"The products have really helped me on my journey to not only feel good from the outside, but also on the inside," Mitchell said. "I put so much love and attention into my products, that if it's not good enough for me, it's not good enough for the public."

For more information and to view Soaps and Butters' products visit the business' website.