Formulating Plan B

As I stated in Monday's blog, I hate this year. I do, dear reader. I hate to be pessimistic, but 2026 has turned out to be filled with pain and loss. As if losing one of my best friends, whom I love better than family, is not enough, we lost our dog Chubby, Buster has been diagnosed with heart failure, and two of my original goats are going to have to be gently laid to rest sooner rather than later. Things that directly affect our business are out of our control and forcing our hand. It's a lot for one overthinking, emotionally raw individual to process. 

You may notice some changes this year regarding our soap and moisturizer scents. Our favorite boutique, family-owned, made-in-America fragrance supplier is experiencing a family medical emergency and has suspended all production and sales. I adore this company and its scents. They are truly unique and so wonderful. I have never ordered a fragrance from them that I didn't like. The company owners are delightful to work with, very helpful, and customer-oriented. Ninety percent of my oils come from this company. To say we are devastated for them in their crisis is an understatement. However, we are also devastated on a professional level. The Bibbed Wonder and I are both searching endlessly for replacements, but, dear reader, we are discovering that our little family-owned fragrance supplier truly is a rare gem. I will do my absolute best to maintain the high standards, but sadly, rather than try to replicate the scents, I believe it will be back to reinventing the wheel. Bear with us as we try to navigate this, dear reader. Unfortunately, you may see some of your favorite scents retire for good. I will try to warn you, but I do know that the seasonals I had planned for the year are going to have to be completely overhauled. 

Also, some of you who are local may know that there is a lot of instability with our favorite market. At this point, I cannot tell you anything. I do know, we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. We sat down as a family on Monday and developed a Plan B that is more farm-oriented. Eric and I read a book on business and development. One of the principles in the book was, "If you cannot control the platform, become the platform." We are working toward becoming a platform we can control. Sigh. At this point, I can't say any more because we don't know. However, it is an unwelcome change. 

We are excited about the ideas we have for the farm. However, being forced into change is always uncomfortable. Again, I ask that you give us some grace as we try to figure all this out. As things become solidified, I will share them with you as they become available. I have been saying for years that we should utilize our farm and share it with our soap family. There is nothing like a good swift kick in the a$$ or the gut to put those ideas in motion. I will share everything with you as soon as we know anything for certain. 

I feel like the universe is being extraordinarily unkind this year. However, we will muddle through; we always do. We will figure things out, and all will be well. On this spring Wednesday, stay safe, be smart, always have a Plan B, and keep washing your hands.