Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Quintana.
Hi Dawn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started making soap back home in CA in 1994, it was a way to expand my creativity and love of art into something that is usable and keeps people coming back for more, my home business grew and I started making products for hotels, motels and wedding venues.
Fast forward to recent years, I moved to UT in 2012, 2013, I was involved in a serious work-related accident which left me with permanent brain damage, 5 years seeing doctors 5 days a week to regain and or re-learn various skills, speech. balance, social, eye coordination, and much more, my life did a 180 its a daily struggle that continues and will for the rest of my life.
With the encouragement of my husband who I married in 2017 and my doctors, who knew I had made soap in the past as I had talked about it a lot, they suggested it would be good for my fine motor skills and a good way to express creativity, so I slowly started doing small batches with some struggle and after about 6 months it all just seemed to come back to me and I was having fun and creating, I thought I had lost those skills but the doctors told me it’s like autopilot you don’t always lose something that you have done for many years it’s just buried and if you work at it it can come back.
I kept at it and people started seeing my products and asking to buy and a lot of my old customers saw I was starting to make soap again wanting to buy and that’s how “Urban Lye” came to reality and in 2019 my husband surprised me and rented a retail space. I was nervous about it, my doctors said it would be good as it would get me out of the house, socialize and give me purpose.
I took the leap with my husband, family, and friends’ encouragement, and in March 2020 yes right as covid hit the US, Urban Lye opened its doors, it was an instant success and has now become Tooele’s #1 Bath & Body Store.
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?
It’s not been smooth as Urban Lye opened March 2020 just as covid hit the US and just having my own personal struggles since my accident, but as they say, nothing ventured nothing gained.
It’s been a bumpy road and each hurdle I take as a challenge and keep moving forward, each bump, bruise, and a scar on the way tells a story.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a master soap artist, I specialize in soapmaking using quality ingredients with a creative flair. Cleaning the world up one bar at a time.
I am most proud of how far I have come since my accident and the support of my husband and 2 daughters who have been my biggest cheerleaders and supporters.
Honestly, I think what sets me apart from others. I am just me, what you see is what you get.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Positive thinking is very helpful in producing good results, there are no failures only gains and each small step forward is a step in the right direction.
Pricing:
- Handmade Soap $10.00 ea.
- Bath Bombs $7.00 to $10.00 ea.
- Beeswax Body Balm $12.00 ea.
- Shower Steamers $6.00 ea.
Contact Info:
- Email: urbanlye@gmail.com
- Website: www.urbanlye.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/urbanlye
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanlye/
- Twitter: @ULsoap
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdDyaftQ/
