We recently had the chance to connect with Laurisa Spears and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laurisa, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People often assume I’m just making pretty soap and candles—but what I’m really building is a love letter to Tennessee, one batch at a time.
Hen House Bath Co. isn’t just a business. It’s heart and heritage, chemistry and craft, all wrapped in scent and story. Every product I make is rooted in Southern culture and inspired by the real places, people, and memories that shaped me. From the trails of the Smoky Mountains to back-porch summers and family recipes passed down like treasure, my home state is the soul of everything I create.
What folks don’t always see is the thought behind each name, the hours spent blending fragrance—part science experiment, part heartfelt attempt to bottle up a feeling: nostalgia, comfort, joy—and share it with someone who needs it. It’s not just soap. It’s not just candles. It’s a way to honor where I’m from and offer others a little piece of it, too.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Laurisa—the founder of Hen House Bath Co., a Nashville-born brand where I handcraft small-batch soap, candles, and home goods inspired by real places and personal stories. With a background in chemistry and over 13 years of soapmaking under my belt, I blend fragrance with intention, creating products that are both beautiful and meaningful.
As a breast cancer survivor, my work has taken on an even deeper purpose. I donate a portion of every sale to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Fund—named for Minnie Pearl, because giving back to the cancer community is personal.
These days, I’m focused on growing Hen House into a thriving wholesale business and sharing my Tennessee-inspired collections with shops and customers across the country. Every product is crafted with care and made to evoke a sense of place—because scent is one of the most powerful ways we connect to memory.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was the kid who asked too many questions, talked too much, and never sat still for long. I was curious, imaginative, and always trying to create something—whether it was a homemade gift, a big idea, or just a little moment of connection. But somewhere along the way, I got the message that I needed to tone it down, quiet it down, be less.
Before the world told me who to be, I trusted my instincts. I didn’t worry about being too much. I just followed what felt good—making things, dreaming out loud, sharing freely. That version of me was bold and joyful and fully present.
And the truth is—she never left. These days, I channel her into Hen House Bath Co., where I get to build something with my own two hands and share it with the world. The girl who once “talked too much” is now the woman who builds lasting relationships through storytelling, scent, and community. Every product I make is a little piece of that spark, offered up with love.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely moments. Years of chronic pain had already worn me down, and then came a breast cancer diagnosis that led to three surgeries in one year. I’ve always tried to stay positive, but there were days it was hard—days when I barely had the energy to make dinner, let alone create something new for my business. Losing my creative spark shook me more than I expected.
At the same time, the world around me was shifting. Supply costs were skyrocketing, customer habits were changing, and it felt like the rules of running a small business were being rewritten overnight. I was already tired, and the added financial pressure made the road ahead feel even steeper.
I wasn’t sure I had the strength to keep going—but I didn’t give up.
I leaned on my family and friends, who reminded me that rest isn’t the same as quitting. When I was ready, I knew I had to pivot. First, I did a deep dive into my supply costs—reevaluating everything from fragrance oils to packaging to raw materials. I became far more intentional with my launches and spent countless hours sourcing the best quality ingredients at the best price.
I knew if I wanted to keep going, I had to meet my customers where they were—navigating their own financial stress—and keeping my prices stable was non-negotiable. Growth is amazing, but sometimes success means simply holding the line when times are lean.
Adapting quickly is what’s kept me here.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Respect. But not the “say yes and stay quiet” kind. The kind that shows up in how you listen, how you treat people, how you honor their time, energy, and boundaries. I was raised in a world where you held the door open, where your word meant something, and where kindness didn’t cost you a thing—but it could change everything.
As someone who’s always been told I talk too much, I’ve had to learn the difference between hearing and truly listening. Respect isn’t just about being polite—it’s about presence. It’s about making room for someone else’s story, not just waiting your turn to speak. That’s something I try to practice daily, and I hope it shows in how I show up for others.
I also fiercely protect the idea of enoughness. We live in a culture that glorifies burnout and convinces us we’re only as valuable as what we produce. But I’ve learned—through pain, healing, and a whole lot of starting over—that rest is not weakness. That quiet seasons are not failure. That you can be enough even when you’re not operating at full speed.
It’s a value I live by and one I try to pass on to my kids: show up with respect, lead with integrity, and remember—you don’t have to earn your worth. You already have it. (And I’m still learning it myself)
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I did what I was told to do: work hard, stay loyal, climb the ladder. I finished college at 31 as a non-traditional student majoring in biochemistry—not the easy route, but one I was proud to take. Especially because it showed my kids that there’s no set timetable or predefined path to success.
I landed a solid corporate job, and I’m still in it. But over time, I realized that security isn’t the same as fulfillment. We were taught to give everything to our jobs, often at the cost of time, energy, and family. I started wanting something more—something mine. Something slower, more intentional, and anchored in creativity and connection.
So I started building. Quietly. Steadily. I wasn’t born to just follow the rules. I was born to create, to connect, and to build something that feels like me. And this next chapter? That’s where I get to do just that
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.henhousebathco.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/henhousebathco
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/henhousebathco
Image Credits
All photos courtesy of Hen House Bath Co. | Photography by Laurisa Spears
