BECKLEY, WV (WOAY) – This Women’s History Month (March 2025) is about Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.
An inspirational local woman is the creativity behind Country Baby Soapery, her three-year-old business in the Crossroads Mall.
“I started in 2017 learning to make soap and went to many markets. It was a product I always bought and something I wanted to learn how to make myself,” Jenny Kiblinger said, adding that she is self-taught. “I did become certified in 2018 as a professional soap maker.”
Kiblinger first sold her handmade bath and body products on Etsy. When COVID hit, her sales took off as online shopping became the norm. Later, she took the plunge into the business full-time and loved the creativity.
“Also being able to control the ingredients I put in and I think people are becoming a lot more aware about what they put on their body,” said the soapmaker. “So if they’re looking for something unscented or milder, we have things for that. Or if they’re looking for something that’s gonna make them smell good and pretty, we have that as well.”
Kiblinger also carries home fragrance — from candles to wax melts. She even has you covered when it comes to laundry cleaner, which she creates with her soap base.
“We grind that up and add in the washing boosters, additives, and fragrance. That product is 100% made in-house and can be customized to be unscented. All the products are organic,” she said. “It’s a very clean product we’re happy to offer. We also have matching products, including wool dryer balls, our mop soaps, and carpet refresh.”
As for the soap maker’s personal favorites, she recommends the laundry soap, mop soap, and her car diffusers. She says they make your car smell good and last a long time.
“A lot of bang for your buck out of those. And I love our soaps and sugar scrubs,” said Kiblinger. “I find that most of our customers like our oatmeal/milk/honey scents, classic scents like lavender, and some very classy scents as well, like cashmere blend.”
The creator welcomes you into her Country Baby Soapery (the name is a nod to her farm life upbringing in Flat Top, WV). She loves meeting and engaging with customers, hearing your feedback, and says the Crossroads Mall has been super supportive.
“They share our posts. And when we were questioning if we were going to have enough space to do it, they gave us permission to use another (larger) space in the mall,” Kiblinger said. “They’ve been incredibly welcoming to all the small businesses in the mall.”
