We love supporting small businesses. They are part of what makes our communities grow and thrive. When you visit The Inn on Church Road, you will notice that we have tried our best to use fresh and local whenever possible. Our kitchen is filled with locally sourced meats, eggs, and produce, and we even have some PA wines and spirits stashed in our bar (more on all of those in a later post!). But we didn’t stop in our kitchen. Imagine coming home to the Inn after a long day of travel and activities. When you step into one of our luxurious clawfoot tubs or rain showers ready to wash away the day’s weariness, you will find each one filled with a unique and carefully selected bar of Ole Mill Goat Soap. We are in love. And we think you will be too!
Their story began in 2014, or actually a bit earlier, when Ashley Troup and her husband, Steve, started dating as high school seniors. After graduation, the next several years were packed full of college, marriage, and, eventually, a beautiful, growing family. Loving fresh and local things themselves, Ashley and Steve had created a small country homestead that included some chickens. After researching the health benefits of goat milk, they decided that the next addition to their household would be kids of the four-legged kind. Little did they know this was the beginning of a journey that would lead them to become successful business owners. Enter Betty and Wilma.
These beautiful ladies lived on a farm nearby before joining their new family. Armed with a brief lesson from the previous owner and a lot of determination, Ashley and Steve set about teaching themselves a brand-new skillset. After trial and error and more patience than you would expect out of goats, Ashley went from a milking novice to pro status in a short period of time. Soon, they had an abundance of fresh, delicious milk. There was so much abundance that it was impossible for them to consume it all on a daily basis. Not wanting to be wasteful, Ashley did some research on making soap. It seemed fun to try, and it was a way for them to use up their leftovers, so on one romantic date night in 2014, they tried their very first batch. Success! They were pleased with how it turned out, but now they had a new problem – too much soap! Figuring Facebook would be the best option, Ashley listed their homemade ware for sale to friends and family. It sold out instantly. They made more soap. It sold out again. Clearly, they were on to something.
Although armed with a teaching degree, Ashley worked as a full-time mom with both children under the age of two (a third would join them later down the road!). Hoping this might generate a little extra income, she and Steve decided to branch out beyond selling on Facebook. They converted an old outbuilding on their property into a cozy shop, and Steve taught himself how to build a website to increase their online presence. Ashley also attended a few festivals throughout the area. A few years later, she started going to their local farmer’s market and did some wholesaling to a few retailers. They named their brand Ole Mill Soap Company in honor of a historic mill that once existed in their village. A small business had been born.
To make the soap, Ashley starts with a mixture of oils that are heated until they are all melted. The next ingredients are frozen goat milk and lye. The milk must be frozen, or the lye will scorch it and ruin the process. A little bit of water is added to the milk and lye mixture and heated to the same temperature as the oils. Once that step is complete, the oils and milk blend together to form a thick batter. Now, it is ready for the fragrance or essential oils to be added. Everything gets poured into long loaf molds and solidified for twenty-four hours. It is then cut into bars and cured for an additional four weeks. The long curing process allows the soap to harden and makes for a longer-lasting soap.
Ole Mill Goat Soap is not just a product; it’s an experience. With a wide range of enticing scents like Peppermint Rosemary, Milk and Honey, Lavender, and East Africa Coffee, choosing a favorite is a delightful challenge. For those seeking a more masculine aroma, they offer options like Spiced Mahogany, and Tobacco & Bay Leaf. Each season, they introduce new scents, ensuring there’s always something exciting to try. Ashley and Steve’s commitment to innovation has led to the addition of other items like lip balm, face oil, and beard balm, expanding their product range and enhancing your self-care routine. If you are in the Lewisburg, PA, area, you can find them at the Lewisburg Farmers Market on Wednesdays or at various retail stores listed on their website. We are also happy to provide you with the opportunity to make a purchase at our gift shop while visiting the Inn.
Ashley is passionate about making soap. It allows her to be creative and care for her family simultaneously, and it brings her joy to make other people happy. But the thing she loves the most is the community that has grown around this small business. Getting to know other entrepreneurs and loyal customers has created another family full of pioneering, inspirational people, and we are honored to be a part of that community.
Ole Mill Soap is just one of the luxurious amenities at the Inn on Church Road. We offer an exquisite blend of comfort and personalized service, creating a serene and indulgent escape from the everyday hustle of life. From our signature cocktails to gourmet breakfasts and plush robes and slippers, you will be pampered from the moment you walk in our door. We will happily provide you with tailored recommendations for local attractions and dining, ensuring a memorable and unique experience. Your room is waiting!
Visit Ole Mill Soap at https://www.olemillsoapco.com/