For Suzanne Harper, the essence of her business isn't just in the more than 30 varieties of goat milk soap she crafts. It’s in the deep-seated values of community, personal connection and hard work that transformed a disaster-stricken farm into a thriving operation. The business also grew with the help of her daughter, whose idea to sell the soap launched it beyond the farm.
Launching an Agribusiness
Suzanne and her husband, Gary, were no strangers to hard work and community involvement. While juggling a full-time job and writing grants for their local community center, they were also dedicated FFA leaders, active in agricultural life. Their initial business focus was on agritourism, hosting farm visits for FFA students, teaching everything from disbudding to checking a goat’s teeth. The soap business, though, was a very minimal side endeavor until their oldest daughter intervened.
Suffering from rosacea and frustrated with ineffective medicinal treatments, Suzanne had been making her own raw oat soap for years. It was a simple bar, but a personal necessity. Without Suzanne’s knowledge, her daughter set up a tent with about 40 bars of handmade soap. "I'm going to sell my mom's soap," she shared. "I was going to see if this stuff sells." Just like that, a business was born.
A Farm Found in Disaster
While living in rural Tennessee, Gary spotted a tiny "for sale" sign on what Suzanne describes as a disaster of a farm. She shared that it was overgrown, doors were missing from the house and the shed was full of wood. Gary immediately saw the potential for the property and Suzanne was instantly captivated, not by the house, but by the original 1929 milking parlors. "Are those original 1929 milking parlors? Like, with running water?" she recalled asking. With the encouragement of their son, J.D., and help from Rural 1st® and Loan Officer Sarah Williams, the couple purchased the property they would make their permanent home. They planted roots in Madisonville, Tennessee, and decided to renovate the property and expand their craft.
A Reflection of Heart
Suzanne said of her community, “they respect homegrown, they respect small businesses, they respect women-owned, they respect farming." As a result, the Harpers' business found community support. Suzanne believes their success is rooted in the care they put into every single batch. She takes extra steps in her process, knowing that rushing or skipping a step could cause harm.
For her, the business is a reflection of much more than just her own work. "This soap is a reflection of me and my goats," she shared. Even though the original herd is now gone, she maintains they are the true heroes who built the business, providing the good milk that she simply turned into soap. She believes the quality comes from the effort that you get out what you pour in.
For Suzanne, that means pouring her whole heart into every bar, every customer interaction and every relationship within her Monroe County community. The farm, the soap and the commitment to quality continue to represent the business she has built.
