Meet Cherie Collazo | Soaper

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

Hi Cherie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Actually I didn’t … at first. I did everything but pursue a creative career because a creative career is not “practical”. I had “real” jobs and while I did not hate them (I hated some) I did not love what I was doing. I feel like I was marking time, work, pay bills repeat, it’s actually kind of soul killing. I’ve always been a creative person. I enjoy working with my hands. A lot of my early creative pursuits, I wasn’t good at, for example drawing, I’m terrible at it. Mediocre at other pursuits, but soap making and the soap business … turns out that’s my jam.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a soaper. I hand craft beautiful soaps. What sets me apart is my attention to detail. My dedication to my craft, creative problem solving. Having an idea for a soap and figuring out how to make it. Like my Bee soap, The Beach Soap. Wild Rose, Lavender and Eucalyptus bars. Im proud of building this business from scratch, where it is today and where its’ going. I have succeeded by way of planning, goal setting and a relentless work ethic. My work ethic, passion for my craft is how I succeed and it’s not always easy which is why I thank me. I didn’t alway believe in me. I let the nay sayers influence my decisions for years right up until I didn’t anymore and started to do me, I’ve never been more content. Primary lesson . . . my grandmother Harriet always said follow you instinct. My instinct was to pursue a a creative career. I didn’t for years opting for the particle. Our brand (I have a business partner) is about quality, craftsmanship. self care, our products are natural and environmentally friendly, we use limited packaging, glass jars, cardboard lip balm tubes. we are carefully about the amount of wast we generate, the amount of water we use. We put a lot of though and carefully consider every ingredient we use.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start where I live, San Pedro, so many hidden gems. Breakfast at Colossus the croissant are wonderful, or Choriman, right next door. Their hand made chorizo in a breakfast burrito is a perfect way to start the day. Next a nice long bike ride on The Strand starting in Redondo Beach to Venice, do some people watching grab a burger at Egg Slut. I’d go the the Grove Farmers market, Visit my Highland lavender farm in Cherry Valley, walk the lavender fields and olive groves, and I’d take them on road trip to Moro Bay via the Pacific Coast Highway.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents for their unconditional love. My Husband for his support and believing in me and this business, and like Niece Nash who recently won an Emmy I’d like to thank me for believing in myself and doing what others though I couldn’t.

Website: amoresoap.com

Instagram: @amoresoap

Facebook: amore soap