Today we’d like to introduce you to Shay Dial Johnson. She and her team share their story with us below:
Edgar’s Bath Goods launched with the vision of a new business line that would not only generate revenue to support the mission of Goodwill North Central Texas but provide a safe, fun and fulfilling place for adults with disabilities to earn a paycheck. Many of the adults with mental disabilities employed by Goodwill thrive in an environment where they can create products by hand. Repetitive tasks that can be broken down step-by-step are ideal for our team members. They take great pride in doing a good job and are very detail-oriented. Bath bombs are a fun product that can be manufactured by these team members, by hand, with love. An internal team of Goodwill leadership developed the bath bomb recipe and process before transitioning the manufacturing of the product to our team members with disabilities.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
COVID-19 hit soon after launch of the Edgar’s Bath Goods website which slowed our progress of expanding the line and into additional boutique locations. Additionally, many of the individuals with disabilities who manufacture the bath bombs are immunocompromised and were not able to work for some time during the pandemic until the vaccine became available. The health and safety of our employees and participants is paramount.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Edgar’s Bath Goods provides a line of luxury bath bombs handmade by adults with disabilities in Fort Worth, Texas.
Available online at www.EdgarsBathGoods.com and in-person at the GW Boutique in Keller and other area boutiques, these bath bombs are offered in six original scents – Lavender Fields, Yellow Rose of Texas, Bluebonnet, Fig Mint, Prairie Sunset and Edgar’s Signature. The products are all chemical, paraben, alcohol, mineral oil and sulfate-free and have not been tested on animals.
A division of Goodwill North Central Texas, all proceeds from Edgar’s Bath Goods go to support the nonprofit’s mission of providing jobs and job training for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment such as homelessness, lack of education or work experience, criminal backgrounds and more.
“Our mission through Edgar’s Bath Goods is to provide an opportunity for adults with disabilities to achieve their maximum independence through the power of work,” said David Cox, President and CEO of Goodwill North Central Texas. “These luxurious bath bombs are handmade with love by these local citizens who possess unique abilities and a keen passion for work.”
Edgar’s Bath Goods plans to expand into additional bricks and mortar retail locations and wholesale opportunities are available. Learn more, or order online, at www.EdgarsBathGoods.com.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Establishing a structure for our production team to learn the process is essential. As adults with disabilities, structure and consistency are the key to success, and that isn’t always easy to find in a startup company.
Pricing:
- Single bath bombs are $4.99
- 3 Pack of bath bombs are $11.99
Contact Info:
- Email: edgarsbathgoods@goodwillnct.org
- Website: www.EdgarsBathGoods.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/EdgarsBathGoods
- Facebook: Facebook.com/EdgarsBathGoods
- Twitter: @EdgarsBathGoods
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsrvA8xt3Wn0cw0BYMdb1EA
Image Credits:
Justan Martinez, Goodwill North Central Texas
