Maker's Spotlight: The Old White House
Doing laundry and cleaning isn’t generally something that gets people excited, but, The Old White House is changing that one load of laundry at a time. The full line of all natural household supplies includes laundry soap, kitchen and bath cleaner, carpet freshener, dryer sachets, and dish soap- all with the fresh and gorgeous scent of pure therapeutic grade French Grosso lavender. But, TOWH didn’t stop at cleaning supplies, with the most incredible lavender eye pillows and comfort wraps, you can take your self-care game to a whole new level.
The woman behind this amazing business is the super talented and brilliant, Theresa Hein- business woman extraordinaire, creative genius, multi-media artist & my mama. I know I may seem biased after that last statement, but her 10 years in business more than prove how incredible her products truly are.
Theresa is the reason I started Earth Goddess Botanicals, from her relentless support and wisdom, to her amazing ability to turn a stressful situation into a triumph- she inspires me daily. So, I thought it was only fitting to feature The Old White House in our very first Maker’s Spotlight.
meet the maker
EGB: What inspired you to start your own business?
Theresa: My oldest son was studying for his Environmental Science degree, and started sharing the information about all of the toxins in everyday products, that he was learning, with me. I began eliminating products with toxic chemicals, and had a difficult time finding truly natural laundry soap and cleaning products, so I began making eco friendly home care products for our family to use.
EGB: What sets you apart from everyone else?
Theresa: In the area of natural laundry and home care products, my ingredients are sourced from the earth, sustainable, vegan and completely earth friendly. Also to scent the cleaning products I only add 100% therapeutic grade essential oils, and minimal, time-tested ingredients that do an amazing job cleaning your laundry and home, and are packaged in beautiful glass jars and bottles. I have been making and selling the home care products for 10 years, and 3 years ago started making natural Lavender and Flaxseed Comfort Wraps and Eye Pillows, which are filled with Washington grown lavender. They are a simple, natural way to relieve stress, aches and pains, by using them either warmed in the microwave or chilled in your freezer.
EGB: Where do you gain inspiration from?
Theresa: Is it cliche to say nature? Gotta say that anyway... we hike these PNW forests as often as we can, and have always enjoyed the great outdoors with our family, so making products that protect it, and that are safe for the planet, is my inspiration. I am a mom of 5 kids, mostly all adults now, and I have to do my bit to leave this planet better than I found it, for them.
EGB: I don’t think it’s cliche at all! Nature inspires daily!
“…we hike these PNW forests as often as we can, and have always enjoyed the great outdoors with our family, so making products that protect it, and that are safe for the planet, is my inspiration.”
EGB: What has been your biggest success to date?
Theresa: My biggest success is being a stay at home mom (who couldn't even copy/paste an email) to creating a business, and inspiring my children to think outside the norm and become entrepreneurs themselves. All while still being able to work from home, and even having my kids join in on the business.
moon phase eye pillow
EGB: Where can we purchase your work?
Theresa: The easiest, (think relaxed shopping while on the sofa, with your favorite glass of wine) on my website theoldwhitehouse.com. I also sell at local markets in the Seattle WA. area.
Side note: Make sure to check-out our recent collaboration, and treat yourself to a gorgeous Moon Phase Eye Pillow, made specially for Earth Goddess Botanicals
EGB: What's your favorite part of the creative process?
Theresa: Brainstorming new products to add to the line, designing packaging, and shopping for fabric!
EGB: What are you most excited for with your business right now?
Theresa: I literally just came home from a meeting with a local grocery store chain that will soon begin carrying our entire line of self care products!
EGB: Woohooo! I’m doing a little happy dance for you!
EGB: Who are your 3 favorite small businesses?
Thersa: Earth Goddess Botanicals, The Vintage Bee, and Salt Creek Apothecary
EGB: Self-care is a big part of our mission over here, what's your favorite form of self-care?
Theresa: Yoga and meditation
Make sure to checkout The Old White House on Instagram and by visiting her website & then come back here and let us know all about your new favorite products from The Old White House!
Do you have a favorite maker that you think we should feature? Drop them in the comments below!