We recently had the chance to connect with Jana Hester and have shared our conversation below.
Jana, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I’m an early riser, generally up between 3am-4am but sometimes earlier. I’ve always been a morning person, no alarm needed. I have coffee (decaf only for all obvious reasons I do not need extra energy) and tea every single morning. I’m a loose tea person and find much joy and comfort in the slowness of steeping tea.
I’m an avid counted crosstitcher, if the morning allows it you’ll find me stitching for the first hour or two as the sun finds its way to light the earth. I hear the birds as they start the day in nature, I see the sunrise daily, I carve out the morning time and hold it precious so I can fill my tank so to speak with stitch time and good things to hydrate me. Counted crosstitch is my first true love, it’s a dying art and one I wish to hold onto and keep going with. What I would give to know someone to pass it along to! For now, I put all of myself into those stitches. They hold my joy, my stress, my worry and my grief. They hold my path, my journey, my past and my hopes.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a third generation soap maker, focusing on cold process soap making. I own and operate Little Cabin Soaps, specializing in unique ingredients and more of what I DON’T put into soap. I don’t use lab dyes, you won’t find glitter and neon colors and ingredients you can’t pronounce in my soap. They don’t look like cupcakes and trucks, rather I stick with my passion and my upbringing. True and simple soap. What’s NOT in it matters a lot more to me than being trendy or giving in to what I see around me. I love using botanicals, essential oils and natural things. I do use fragrances as well because I want everyone to find something that speaks to them through Little Cabin Soaps. At the same time I care about your skin, it’s a fine balance to create a product that is appealing and gentle, nourishing and fun. I strive to get that balance in each and every bar.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The first time I walked six dogs by myself I knew I had something a lot of others didn’t. I carry that feeling with me, I am a pack oriented person!
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
I sure miss decorating cakes, particularly wedding cakes. I am amazing with a piping bag, and miss the days of creating cakes that were feet tall. One fountains and pedestals, requiring a ladder for assembly…my hands have only so much to give these days. I choose to create soap and counted crosstitch with them now, and leave the cakes to the younger generation.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
HAHAHAHAHA. I am the most blunt black and white no game face no poker face human being on this planet. All versions of me are pretty similar, what you see is what you get. I go to bed at 7pm and wake up with the chickens. I am old fashioned to the core, I like the simple things in life. I like outside time, simple tea and coffee and a good omelette. I like spelling, read real books with paper pages and value less screentime and more being present with my own eyes.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
In the wee hours of the morning, which is why I carve them out and treasure them. The quiet before the world wakes up is utterly precious, I hold it near and dear. I solve all the problems hahaha each morning but I also set up the day, make lists mentally and sometimes real ones too. I stitch, I watch the creatures wake and greet the world. I savor what’s in my mug (coffee and tea daily you betcha) and am grateful for the time to being doing just that- savoring the small things that mean so much to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LittleCabinSoaps.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlecabinsoaps/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleCabinSoap
Image Credits
I adore product photography, almost as much as making soap! All of these photos are mine, I am so so so very proud of my work!
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
