FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | February 3, 2019

NEW SOAP PERFECTLY MERGES ART AND SMALL BUSINESS

Owego, NY—East Tennessee State University student Kirsten Litz is launching her new
business Thorn and Thistle Soaps. While working on her bachelor’s degree, Kirsten turned her
soap making hobby into something more. Kirsten has been crafting handmade soaps for many
years, and now she has found the perfect formula and technique to open her business. Thorn and
Thistle Soaps specializes in organic, all-natural and cruelty-free soap products. Carol’s Coffee
and Art Bar in Owego, NY is hosting the launch of her business on February 22nd, 2019 at 5:00
p.m.
“Making soap has been a passion of mine for years. Opening a soap business has been my dream
and why I began an Etsy store two years,” says Kirsten Litz. “But it goes beyond a hobby. I saw
the impact that my soaps began to have, and the encouragement I received from friends and
family is what made me decide to officially launch Thorn and Thistle Soaps and begin to sell
locally.”
But what makes Thorn and Thistle different? Thorn and Thistle is dedicated to only providing
the best to ensure that customers are satisfied.
“I have a mission to only produce the best soap that I can. I use top-shelf oils, fragrances and
processes. I focus on working in small batches to create the best quality that I possibly can. If a
batch is too greasy, doesn’t lather, or doesn’t have the smell that I hoped for—I start over,”
explains Kirsten.
Her past customers from her Etsy store rave about the quality of each product. Kirsten says that
she gained inspiration from another Etsy favorite, Dennis Anderson Soap Company. Dennis
Anderson gained a lot of success from his handmade soaps and eventually was able to craft soap
as his full-time job. Kirsten admires his processes and has learned a lot from him and his quality
soaps.
The handmade soap industry has seen major success. According to Value Market Research, the
global handmade soap segment of the worldwide industry is valued at $150 million.
“The soap making community on Etsy is a very supportive one. I have talked with a lot of
successful Etsy companies and learned a lot from my fellow soap makers,” Kirsten says. “They
have been nothing but supportive to me and my decision to move on from Etsy and begin to sell
soap locally, starting with Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar, and hopefully nationally, one day.”
Kirsten Litz has partnered with Carol's Coffee and Art Bar to host a launch party on February
22nd, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar loves to support local artists and businesses,
and views Thorn and Thistle not just as soap, but art.
“These soaps are not only great quality products, but are frankly works of art. They are beautiful
to look at! Every bar I have purchased from Kirsten, I can’t bring myself to use because of how
colorful and beautiful they look,” says Carol Livermore, owner of Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar. “I
am proud to use my coffee and art shop to help launch Thorn and Thistle Soaps, because it is the
perfect merge of celebrating artistic endeavor and small, local businesses!”
At the launch party for Thorne and Thistle Soaps, many free soap samples will be given out as
well as a thank you bag provided by Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar. Thorn and Thistles newest
products will be available for purchase at the launch party, including the Vanilla Sugar
Crystalline Soap and Sea Salt Body Scrub.
While drinking coffee and eating pastries at Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar, enjoy some free soap
samples and perhaps buy some quality, all-natural, cruelty-free soap products from the newly
launched local business Thorn and Thistle Soaps on February 22nd, 2019.
Contact:
Kirsten Litz
East Tennessee State University
litzkn@etsu.edu