"Julian, Apple Pie in the Sky Soaps"
DISCOVER JULIAN BUSINESSES
The Julian Soap Company
By Patricia Thornburgh
“Vocally say what you want and the Universe will provide.” Wise and encouraging words from Michaeline McConnell, proprietor of the Julian Soap Company.
In 1986 Michaeline McConnell, an animal scientist, started making soap in organic chemistry class at UC Davis while studying for her degree. Thirteen years later, with the basics of soap making already understood, she started Kaleidoscope Natural Soap as a business for herself. While raising a young family, she worked at night with the support of her husband, a general contractor. Michaeline started making her soaps and selling them at a few fall craft shows. The success at the craft shows was overwhelming and led to the concept of having a retail shop dedicated to handmade soap.
While visiting Julian as tourists in November 1999, Michaeline and her husband, Joel, saw a “For Rent” sign at the KO Corral and she decided it was time to open her shop. Commuting one hour from Crest to Julian on Saturdays and Sundays with Joel home with the children, she had her first store front in Julian. Working off Main Street was an educational process for Michaeline. She would listen to people coming into the shop and learn from their comments. She communicated with other merchants in town and was able to keep tabs on store fronts on Main Street. Her diligence paid off and nine months after opening she had her store at 2000 Main Street.
In 2001 the McConnell family moved from Crest to Julian, buying a home in Whispering Pines. Business was booming on Main Street. When the Cedar Fire hit in 2003, Michaeline closed the shop for a year. During that time she worked as a Certified Agricultural Biologist for the State of California as well as sold her soaps in Ocean Beach and North Park.
In 2005 Michaeline was back, renting the Tin Shed behind the Old Well and the Julian Soap Company was born. Business was good. The red and white “Julian Soap Company” sign was visible from Main Street and proved to be a great draw to the soap shop. Three years later the store front at 2000 Main Street became available and the Julian Soap Company returned to Main Street. A short time later the unthinkable happened. The economic crisis and housing market crash hit in 2009. Michaeline closed the shop and waited. During this period she worked as a temp at the Post Office for three years, constantly watching for signs of an economic upturn. In 2013 she saw that people on Main Street were starting to walk with bags and she knew it was time to come back. She started out in Santa Ysabel and within a few months was back in Julian, securing a prime location in the middle block of Main Street in the Cole Building. She now maintains her upstairs store front at 2116-2A Main Street as well as a separate workshop. The Julian Soap Company is open Thursday through Monday from 11 AM to 5 PM.
A self-made entrepreneur, Michaeline put herself through college raising Angora rabbits. During the time when the store was closed after the economic crash, she learned weaving from Beryl Warnes of the Julian Weaving Works. She taught herself to spin her own wool and to knit. Michaeline currently raises Jersey Wooly rabbits and has a creative hobby in fiber arts, including fabric dyeing. She takes the two diversions and meshes them together by spinning wool from the rabbits to create her art. Michaeline spends four days a week making her soaps. By knowing when to pull back and when to reorganize, Michaeline has kept the Julian Soap Company in the black since opening. She is also putting their three children through college.
The Julian Soap Company is successful for many reasons. The natural soap market appeals to a wide range of people. In years past, before the recession, the market seemed to be primarily women in the 40 to 50 year range with dual income families. Today the market is all the rage with cultural millennials. As Michaeline states, there is a science to making soap and a rustic glory to naked soap in the raw. “With the slightest passion, you can be master of whatever you do. Be positive, stay positive.” That is just what Michaeline does.
Julian Soap Company
Hours of operation: Thursday through Monday: 11 AM to 5 PM. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
2116-2A Main Street, Julian CA 92036 Phone: 760-315-0492
Website: www.juliansoap.com
Email: thejuliansoapcompany@gmail.com
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