(This article first appeared in the July print edition of the Hendersonian.)
It might seem a little out of character for a retired athletic director to become a maker of fine soaps, but actually it’s a slam dunk.
That’s because Mark Andrews, who came to Henderson County Schools as a middle school teacher and went on to become the HCHS AD, taught science.
And making soap is all about that.
“It’s sort of like a science experiment every time I make soap,” said Andrews on a recent Friday while tending his Niagara Soap Company booth at the Henderson Farmers Market.
Andrews said he was getting a little bit restless in his retirement when the inspiration to try his hand at soap making bubbled up.
“When it was warm outside I had plenty to do, but when it got cold I was a little bored,” he said.
About that time he saw a Facebook post by Lucy Felty, who for several years operated Lucia Soaps Etc. in downtown Henderson before she and husband Rudy relocated to her hometown of Whitesville in Daviess County.
Felty, who started soap making as a hobby before turning it into a business, had decided to officially close her operations and she had equipment and supplies for sale.
“I was interested,” Andrews said, adding that Felty also offered to teach him how to make handcrafted soap.
So with the blessing of his wife Jennifer, a local attorney, Andrews took Felty up on that offer, and soon she had given the retired teacher some homework. His assignment was to make some soap. He made his first batch last December.
In May on his first day bringing the Niagara Soap Company to the Henderson Farmers Market, Andrews sold 88 bars of soap out of the 550 he made to prepare for market season. He considered it a good day and an excellent start.
“I thought this might be all right,” Andrews said, noting that soap isn’t like produce or other consumables sold at the market and he knows his repeat customers will come along a little less frequently. It takes a bit of time to deplete a bar of soap.
He has had time to observe, however, that his bestseller is Blueberry Lemon Zest.
“It sold out quickly the first time I made it,” Andrews said, adding that a soap called Nirvana also has been popular.
His inventory includes soaps with such names as Summer Peach, Star Flowers, Sparkling Plum, Pink Hibiscus, Sea Grass & Sand Dunes, Oakmoss Sandalwood, Peace & Love, Coffee Hour and a handful of others, including Clean & Simple.
“There are a wide range of scent categories,” he said. And there’s also a range of colors.
Andrews said he’ll be adjusting the scent palettes when fall and winter come along. It takes four to eight weeks for the cold-processed soap to cure after he makes it, so there’s quite a bit prep time required.
When he’s caught up on his science experiments, Andrews works on his marketing, including talking to possible collaborators about creating custom products for them.
“I think we’ll get there,” he said. “We’re in the beginning stages and I’d like to see where this goes.”
Andrews said he enjoys being at the Farmers Market where he’s now on the other side of the table after shopping there for many years. He’s gotten to know the “regulars” as well as his fellow vendors.
He’s also enjoyed having the experience of making something and having something to show for it.
“As a teacher you’re judged on what other people do,” Andrews said. “Now I don’t have to rely on the performance of someone else. It’s all on me.”
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The Henderson Farmers Market Association operates their market three days a week at Henderson County Fairgrounds on Sam Ball Way located at the intersection of Airline Road and Garden Mile Road. The market opens at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and most producers are typically in place by 9 a.m. and stay until they sell what they have for the day.
