Meet Chris Rubin | Soapmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Rubin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Bubble and Things Soaps started with one thought – time. All I could think about at the end of 2018, when I started making fun geek themed soap, was time. I had spent the last 15 + years in the film industry, the majority of that as an Art Director. Time for my husband and 2 little boys was something that simply didn’t exist and I knew I needed to make a change. I had endured some great loss just prior to that year and it made me realize we only have so much time on this beautiful planet; we need to make the most of it with the ones we love! Making soap as a hobby gave me much joy and I felt I could turn it into a business, allowing me to watch my boys grow and bring happiness to others with premium quality bath products. It continues to be an awesome and rewarding experience and I am grateful for every second!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have spent my entire adult life in the film industry and have been an Art Director for many of those years. It was very challenging to switch modes from being a “creative manager” to being the actual creative person making, marketing, and selling a product. While I was able to quickly find my footing thanks to lots of research and advice, these challenges still exist and help me grow both creatively and as a business owner. The real fun comes when designing the soaps themselves and there is so much excitement when I put a new product in the shop. Ultimately, I hope my soaps put a smile on peoples’ faces and bring some joy, especially now when we’re all looking for a little extra happiness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a pretty low key person, but it is always fun to take a quick-ish (depending on traffic!) drive to Downtown LA for ramen at Daikokya in Little Tokyo. There is a marketplace across the street for unique shopping, especially for those into Anime. Local to Burbank there are some great shops for comic, games, and collectables. My favorites being our local comic book store Emerald Knights, gaming shop Geeky Teas, and for those who love the macabre a visit to the Mystic Museum is a must. If scheduling permits, a trip over the hill to see a classic film at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood is an experience I am always willing to share with anyone and everyone.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am so very thankful the for the support my family has given me, especially my husband. His encouragement is what really helped make this thought a reality. I am constantly bouncing ideas off his geeky brain and now he loves to talk soap as much as I do! I also would not have been able to grow this business without the support of my friends as well as my local community here in Burbank. I first started to sell my soaps locally and grew by word of mouth via social media groups. From the confidence gained in those sales I opened my Etsy shop and began booking large comic conventions. I have learned that community is so important when growing a business and I am grateful for the wonderful support I continue to receive.

Website: www.bubblesandthingssoaps.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bubblesandthingssoaps
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bubblesandthingssoaps

Image Credits
Mural by Buff Monster (instagram.com/buffmonster) at store 3D Retro in Burbank, CA.