Today we’d like to introduce you to Alisha Benson.
Alisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Several years ago, my husband had a heart attack and it completely shook our world. (He’s still on the road to recovery, but he’s doing so much better now!)
At the time, we owned an SEO business where we helped companies gain more exposure so they can book more appointments. When he became too sick to work, I took a full-time job at a potato factory to keep us afloat. I worked 12–14 hour rotating shifts, switching every two weeks between days and nights. My sleep was a mess, my health suffered, and over time I slipped into a deep depression. I felt like I had lost so much of myself.
After working there for two years—and then eventually found a new job in the bowhunting industry—I stumbled across two unexpected things that completely changed the course of my life: a little soap-making kit I found on Facebook Marketplace and a sweet male Jersey cow whom I affectionately named “Cow Friend.”
Learning to make soap and taking daily walks with this cow truly changed the trajectory of my life. I felt more alive than I had in years. I rediscovered a spark of creativity that I thought was long gone, and I formed the sweetest connection with this sweet cow. All the worries I had seemed to melt when I visited with this cow and created soap, and then branching out into other products like tallow balm, solid dish soaps, and more.
I’ll be the first to admit… those first several batches of soap I made were ugly and smelled terrible! But I kept at it. Eventually I created recipes that were transformative in every sense of the word. They were beautiful, smelled amazing, all-natural so they genuinely helped people’s skin, and somewhere along the way my house became completely overtaken by this “little” hobby.
For years I only gave my soaps away; I was afraid that selling would make me lose my spark and would become a stress rather than an outlet from stress. My husband and I reluctantly signed up for our very first craft show. And we absolutely loved it!
I continued working my full-time job for the next five years while coming home every evening to make soap. I spent nearly all of my vacation time doing craft shows throughout Southeast Idaho, slowly growing Cow Friend Soap and building incredible relationships with so many wonderful people in our community.
Then, at the beginning of 2025, we were accepted into two incredible events: the Idaho Falls Farmers Market and the Eastern Idaho State Fair. That was the push I needed to take the biggest leap of faith of my life: quitting my full-time job to become a full-time soap maker!
And oh my goodness! It was the best decision I’ve ever made.
Today, Cow Friend Soap is our family’s full-time livelihood. My husband and I sell soap and tallow balm online and at weekly markets together, and our four kids are right there alongside prepping product. We get to teach them what hard work looks like, what it means to build something from the ground up, and that it’s important to always follow your dreams.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Beyond our own personal struggles with health, depression, and trying to make ends meet, COVID brought our online marketing business to a standstill. Many of our clients couldn’t meet with customers or do their jobs in person, so understandably, marketing became an expense they simply couldn’t justify.
Signing up for our first markets felt incredibly vulnerable. Soap had become such a personal part of my healing journey that putting it out into the world felt like putting a piece of my heart on display. I worried about criticism and wondered if people would think it was silly.
Instead, I was met with so much kindness! I found other vendors and customers who had their own stories of hardship, career changes, broken hearts, and so many stories of fresh starts. It was so comforting to find a community of people who were understanding were willing to meet me right where I was in life.
There are still challenges today. Finding the right markets—ones that are well advertised, well attended, and attract people who appreciate all-natural products—is always something we’re working toward. But really, every show, whether it’s wildly successful or disappointingly slow, has taught us something valuable. Looking back, even the difficult parts have helped shape Cow Friend Soap into what it is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Cow Friend Soap is a small family business in Rexburg, Idaho. We handcraft cold-process soap, whipped tallow balm, solid dish soap, shampoo bars, and other everyday products using simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients.
We’re committed to keeping our ingredient lists as straightforward as possible. We don’t use fragrance oils, artificial colorants, or unnecessary fillers and yucky chemicals. Every product is scented only with pure essential oils, and we use naturally derived finely crushed rocks and minerals (mica) for the colors. I’m incredibly picky about the ingredients I choose because I want our products to be something I’d feel good about using on my own family every single day.
We’re probably best known for our whipped tallow balm. We spent years developing recipes that are deeply moisturizing while still feeling light enough for everyday use. Many of our customers first discover us because they’re looking for help with eczema, psoriasis, and dry, sensitive skin. Others come looking for a simple skincare routine to support acne-prone skin or help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Hearing how much healthier, calmer, and more comfortable their skin feels is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Aside from seeing how much our products have helped people, one of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships we’ve built along the way. Whether it’s at farmers markets or through our Instagram community, we’ve met some truly wonderful people. Those friendships have become one of the very best parts of owning this business.
As we’ve grown, we’ve worked hard to stay true to the reason Cow Friend Soap began in the first place—that life is worth living and it’s worth finding healthy ways to make it a little happier. I still make everything by hand, I’m constantly testing and refining recipes, and I’m committed to creating products that I feel good about using on my own family.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The easiest way to support Cow Friend Soap is simply by trying our products! You can shop with us online, visit us at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market, Rexburg Farmers Markets, or stop by one of the many events we attend throughout the year.
If you enjoy following along behind the scenes, we’d love to have you join us on Instagram. We share everything from soap making and new product launches to the everyday ups and downs of running a small family business. And of course, one of the biggest compliments you can give us is telling a friend or sharing your experience with someone else.
We also love partnering with retailers and other small businesses that share our passion for thoughtfully made, all-natural products. Whether you’re interested in carrying Cow Friend Soap or simply cheering us on, we’re incredibly grateful for every person who’s been part of this journey.
Pricing:
- Whipped Tallow Balm (3.25 oz) – $32
- Soap Bars – $8
- Solid Dish Soap Sets – $28
- Tallow Sunscreen (4.25 oz) – $44
- Solid Shave Soap – $28
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cowfriendsoap.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cowfriendsoap/
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/cowfriendsoap
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@cowfriendsoap
