In honor of National Nurses Day on May 6, we’re sharing the story of Naples Soap Company founder and nurse-turned-entrepreneur Deanna Wallin! Deanna attributes the success of her company to her loyal customers who appreciate quality products and the unique customer experience provided at Naples Soap Company. As a customer, you’ll feel Deanna’s heart and soul invested into each and every product and store. Here are four characteristics about Deanna that make her an inspiration!
Determined to Succeed
Deanna is no stranger to hard work. She was born in Hollywood, FL, the daughter of a roofing company owner and a nurse. She spent her teen years working various after-school retail jobs before following in her mother’s footsteps. She took up the grueling hours of a nurse, and subsequently, her career shifted into medical sales. As a single mother, she realized her calling of owning her own business. She founded Naples Soap Company in 2009 in the middle of an economic recession, persevering through tough times to open her first 300-square-foot shop at Tin City in Naples. Today, Naples Soap Company consists of 11 retail locations across Florida, in addition to wholesale and e-commerce.
Passionate About Skin Care
Naples Soap Company is not just a business to Deanna, but a passion that began with her own personal skin care journey. She has battled with eczema and psoriasis most of her life, and her daughter struggled with eczema as well. She tried everything to relieve their symptoms, but to no avail. As a nurse, she became aware of the effects of harsh chemicals on the body and was inspired to research more about the negative ingredients commonly included in mass-market beauty products. She started experimenting with natural and organic products and saw amazing results. This sparked the birth of Naples Soap Company.
Innovative Products
Deanna founded Naples Soap Company with the goal of providing “Naturally Better Skin Care” products for those with sensitive skin. Her commitment to the company is reflected in the wide array of products offered for all skin types, like natural soaps , body butters , sea salt scrubs , bath bombs , moisturizers, hair bars and more. Always putting her customers’ needs first, she provides only products that are eco-friendly, natural, cruelty free and made in America.
Caring for Customers, Employees, and Community
Deanna continues to grow her company while giving back to the community. She experiments with new product ideas that will truly help her customers overcome various skin concerns. A notable example is the introduction of the eczema kit in 2017, which includes eight of Naples Soap Company’s fragrance-free, eczema-soothing products designed specifically for chronic skin conditions. In the past year, she opened four new stores in Naples, Panama City Beach, Mount Dora and St. Petersburg which welcomed many new employees to the company and brought the retail store total to 11 locations throughout Florida. Deanna is committed to supporting local charities like PACE Center for Girls Collier, volunteering, and fostering a caring company culture among her employees.
Deanna’s passion for helping people has guided her career, from working as a licensed nurse to helping customers on their skin care journey. Celebrate National Nurses Day with us today by purchasing a special surprise gift for the caring nurse in your life!