Meet Nancy Stephens

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nancy Stephens and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nancy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
The idea for my business came to me during one of the most transformative times in my life- when I was a stay-at-home mom, breastfeeding my children. I had an oversupply of breast milk and didn’t want it to go to waste. That’s when inspiration struck: I decided to try making breast milk soaps.

At first, it was a small, personal project. I created simple soaps for my kids and for household use. The results were amazing – not only were the soaps gentle and nourishing, but they also helped my our skin and felt so luxurious. I started gifting them to family members, including my nieces and nephews, and they loved them as well. Their positive feedback encouraged me to keep experimenting and improving.

Starting with breast milk soaps, I gradually expanded to making goat milk soaps and eventually candles and bubble bath shreds, all while maintaining a focus on natural ingredients and skin-loving formulas.

What should our readers know about your business?
Fancy Valley Soaps is a labor of love born out of a desire to create something natural, meaningful, and nurturing that’s great for your skin and good for the environment. What sets us apart is our dedication to crafting quality, small-batch products that help and nourish the skin while telling a story. Each soap, candle, and bubble bath shred is made with carefully selected ingredients, a personal touch, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

What I’m most proud of is the connection I’ve built with my customers and community. Hearing someone say our soap transformed their skincare routine or helped their skin and that our candles bring peace to their home makes all the hard work worthwhile. A customer said that our Arnica soap takes the odor away from her underarms and never has to apply deodorant. I love hearing awesome stories like that.

Getting to where I am today hasn’t been an easy journey. Starting as a stay-at-home mom with no formal business background meant learning everything from scratch-product development, marketing, branding, and even the art of staging photos for Instagram and my website. Balancing work with family life was challenging and still is, but by setting realistic goals, staying consistent, and leaning on the support of my husband and children is very helpful and makes it a bit easier.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way is to embrace imperfection. In the beginning, I wanted everything to be flawless, but I’ve realized that authenticity matters more. Sharing the behind-the-scenes moments, the mishaps, and the progress resonates with people more than polished perfection ever could.

What I want the world to know about Fancy Valley Soaps is that we are more than just a skincare brand. We are about celebrating nature, family, and the simple joys of life; giving people beautiful quality products. Every product is a reflection of my story- from the breast milk soaps I first made for my children to the goat milk soaps inspired by my fathers goats, and the rustic beauty of Spring Valley, California.

At Fancy Valley Soaps, we aren’t just selling products – we’re sharing moments of care, love, and connection. My hope is that every bar of soap or candle brings a little bit of that joy into someone’s life and transforms their skin.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting the area for a week, I’d make sure they got the full experience of what makes San Diego and its surroundings so amazing. Here’s how I’d plan the perfect trip: 1) Explore Downtown San Diego- We’d start with a stroll through downtown San Diego to soak in the vibrant city atmosphere. I’d take them for dinner to Mister A’s a high quality dining with stunning views and watch the air planes pass by.
2) La Jolla Adventures: spend time at the shores and then head over to the cove.
3) A trip to Balboa Park: We’d explore the museums and gardens.
4) A boat ride on San Diego Bay: Me and my husband would take out friends in our small bass fishing boat to the bay to enjoy the view and the water.
5) A day in Coronado: visit the shops, Hotel Del and the beach.
6) Hiking & Nanture: we’d head out to one of the local hiking trails, like Cowles Mountain or sweetwater trail loop.
7) Shopping and relaxation: shop at seaport village, and old town for souvenirs. Relax in our hot tub with a a cup of hot tea.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

I believe no success story is truly a solo journey, and I’m incredibly grateful to the people and influences that have supported me along the way. First and foremost, I’d like to give a heartfelt shoutout to my husband and children. They’ve been my biggest fans, whether it’s encouraging me to take a leap of faith or being patient while I spend hours perfecting my craft.

I also want to thank Liz McQuerry and her book, Natural Soap at Home. It was a huge inspiration when I first started and gave me the confidence to dive into this journey of handmade soap-making.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge all the customers and supporters who have believed in Fancy Valley Soaps & products from the very beginning. Their kind words and encouragement have kept me motivated every step of the way.

Website: www.fancyvalleysoaps.com

Instagram: @fancyvalleysoaps

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