Inside Business: Chautauqua Soap Co.

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The Art of Soap Making & Sweet Smell of Success
By Darlene Mae O’Connor

One of the characteristics of the people of Jamestown, not found anywhere else I have lived or visited, is the desire and effort between community and business members to create a chain of success. In this otherwise self-interested world, our citizenry and our business people have what seems to be an inherent need to pull one another along. In telling the stories of emerging and long-standing innovators of enterprise in Jamestown and the surrounding areas, a recurrent theme is ever present… Success is only achieved when you bring others along to share in it!

   Our Publisher Extraordinaire, Jeanine Caprino Zimmer, is one of those rare birds; thus, my ability to share with readers all of the new and exciting small businesses and emerging artists across Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties. In the City of Trees, the movers and shakers of the revitalization vibe share information and afford each other equal access to opportunities to share their unique products and talents with the public.

   My story this week features Audrey Ralston, Soap Artist and proprietor of Chautauqua Soap Company. Audrey developed an interest in and talent for the art of soap making and as her talent grew so did those who wanted to purchase her products. In June of 2020, mid-pandemic, the Chautauqua Soap Co. came on the market and the rest is herstory. She is near and dear to Billy Kates of Chautauqua Music (see full story page. 9), which only makes thus story even more rich. Chautauqua Soap had been made available through other small businesses in downtown Jamestown, helping promote the brand. Audrey is the master of her universe and all of her candles, soaps, salts and sweet contriving’s are her original creations. She, like the purveyors around her, also presents items crafted by local artisans and feels like the city and the other businesses are doing a great job bringing in local and tourism traffic to her store.

   Like many of us, Audrey is Chautauqua born and raised and can see the light on the hills. She expressed that she is excited about what the future holds, not just for her and her brand, but for all who are wise to invest in our economy and those who live here.

   Thank you Audrey for the chance to get the scoop and a Soap Box to stand on!


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