Happy Monday everyone!
I want to begin today by saying how much I am ENJOYING working on these bi-monthly Hawaiian talent posts. I am learning so much about some very special people and the work that they do, and I am beyond impressed with the local talent we have around us! (if you need to catch up on my first TWO features–Clark Little ocean photography, or Kaleimaeole jewelry, click on links.:)) I have heard from many of you that you are also enjoying the posts….and the GIVEAWAYS, so we’ll keep them up!
(Speaking of giveaways…the Calavera bikini winner will be named at the bottom of this post!)
Today I am excited to share with you a local company producing fabulous bath and body products, owned and operated by a couple that live right here on our North Shore. Surfer girl Holly Harding, and her husband, Ashley, are the creative genius behind BUBBLE SHACK HAWAII!
Really. Hold me back, I love them all!!!
I don’t know if I want to scrub my body with these…or eat them!!
Bubble Shack is quickly becoming known as the bath and body brand for the surf and ocean minded, and it is sure to bring YOU a BIG DOSE of ALOHA, wherever you may be!
You’ll be happy to hear that the Bubble Shack products are all 100% vegan, paraben free, paraffin free, TEA free. sulfate free and phthalate free. All Bubble Shack bath nd body products and soy candles are naturally handmade in HAWAII. They use many locally harvested herbs, flowers, and other naturally grown ingredients from the islands. Plenty more information about their products over at the Bubble Shack site! Oh you’re going to LOVE this stuff! When I bought my first Bubble Shack products the hardest thing for me was choosing which one , two three sets to bring home! 
I have loved the Bubble Shack products for quite some time, but only recently discovered the story behind the company. Holly Harding, the creator and owner of Bubble Shack was kind enough to answer some of my questions, so here is the story in her own words!
Q 1. When did you begin Bubble Shack, and what was the inspiration behind your products?
Holly: My husband, Ashley, and I began Bubble Shack in December of 2005. We had owned a music entertainment agency, where we booked bands and artists (including myself and Ashley) for various concerts and gigs. When we moved to Hawaii, we found the market to be completely different and knew the same type of business would not thrive here. I was working in corporate marketing/advertising in Honolulu as well as playing some with the Honolulu Symphony and Ashley was working in radio advertising sales. Feeling less than fulfilled working for the man and knowing the outlets as a classical musician in Hawaii were limited, we decided we needed to do our own thing if we wanted to stay in Hawaii. Ashley always had an odd obsession with natural soaps so we decided that we would make them with a funky, Hawaii spin. Within a month of figuring out how to make basic soap, we were selling them at the swap meet! One thing led to another and within a year we had a thriving operation running out of the garage of our house. After this initial success, we then decided it was time to take the business to the next level. We took out an SBA Loan (which paid off last year-woohoo!) and put together a real business plan and strategy. We moved into a warehouse, designed packaging, hired employees over time and decided wholesale was the route we wanted to go. We also brought on a lab for product development to ensure all of our products are formulated safely, corrected and with cutting edge ingredients. In addition, my love of surfing and music is innately present in many of the themes of our products. Now Bubble Shack is in over 350 stores worldwide including Japan, Guam/Saipan, Australia and the US Mainland.
Q 2. What do you like about working in Hawaii, and the kind of products/ingredients that you get to use from the islands?
Holly: Hawaii and the ocean provide incredible inspiration for the themes in our products and the fruits, flowers and vegetation that are both prevalent and loved in the islands make our products both exotic and unique. We use locally grown herbs, kukui and macadamia nut and flowers when possible. In addition, our soaps use Hawaiian spring water, which I swear is one a big part of what makes them sooooo great!
Q 3. How would you encourage a young person who is interested in creating their own brand? Is there anything you have learned that would be beneficial to someone dreaming of trying to make a business of their own?
Holly: Don’t let fear ever motivate you or hold you back. Many people are afraid to fail and that’s why they continue to do what’s comfortable or work for the man. But for every success, there are small and sometimes large failures. Let everything around you create inspiration and if you have an idea, go for it. You can start most businesses with very little money if you are disciplined to re-invest the initial profits back into the business. If you have access to the internet, a tax ID and drive, you can start any business you want! Successful brands are created and last when the brand embodies the core essence of the passion of the creator in addition to allowing the market feedback to provide refinement. Never ignore the market yet stay true to the core essence of the foundation of your brand. Lastly, know that there will be many struggles in the beginning but to create something from nothing and see it succeed provides the ultimate personal satisfaction.
Q 4. A few more things about your life/hobbies/,etc…
Holly: There is no place I’d rather be than Hawaii and specifically North Shore. I couldn’t love living where I live any more. I’ve lived and traveled all over the country/world and North Shore is such a special place. The ocean and surf culture that’s present here provide such an incredible source of inspiration in both life and for Bubble Shack. For me, I’ve always had something to work on; a goal, a passion. I started surfing only four years ago but feel like it keeps me alive and it fills me up when and how I need it to. If I need a challenge or need to get some aggression or stress out, I surf a bigger, fast wave. For me, I’m glad I actually found surfing a little later on in life. I tend to turn all of my passions into a career or go to competitive levels. I was a professional classical musician for many years and feel like I let competition and the drive to make money at it burn me out. I want to surf for life so in a way I’m glad I got hooked a little later and was never competitive with it…….you’ll see that love in Bubble Shack’s brand essence, including increasing visibility as a surf brand. We recently sponsored the Women’s Pipe Pro and are positioning Bubble Shack as the bath and body brand for the surf and ocean minded.
Ashley still plays in several bands on island…….you’ll probably see him at Surfer the Bar (Turtle Bay Resort,) from time to time tearing it up on his saxophone!
Here’s a few shots of the girls at the Pipe Pro contest earlier this year:
(Hey look! It’s one of my featured SuperGROMS, Dax McGill , above with the trophy!)
And more Bubble Shack loving beauties…
The Bungalow GLOW soy candles are both beautiful to look at, and smell nothing short of…PARADISE!
Keep up with these great products, and follow Bubble Shack on Facebook.
Bubble Shack can be found at: Longs, Strong Current, Deep Ecology, Foodland, Aloha General, Waimea Valley and North Shore Surf Shop. Bungalow Glow Premium Organics can be found at Pineapples and Waiamea Valley. Our standard Bungalow Glow candles are in nearly all the shops on North Shore. In addition, Whole Foods is a great place to direct people to for both Bubble Shack, Bungalow Glow and our dog line, Bungalow Woof.
NOW—Let’s get to the FUN! Holly, from Bubble Shack Hawaii is giving a gift set to TWO grommom readers!!
One gift set will be A BUNGALOW GLOW PEMIUM ORGANICS GIFT SET–
The second gift set includes A BUBBLE SHACK GIFT SET and a cool Bubble Shack hat.
To enter to win one of the giveaways, please leave a comment FINISHING THIS SENTENCE:
“WHEN I HEAR THE WORD PARADISE, I THINK OF ________________.”
(It can be a word, or anything you’d like to share. A memory, a dream, a smell, a taste…Just go for it!!)
I can’t wait to read your comments!
(*keep in mind, subscribers to thegrommom ALWAYS get double entries! You can subscribe to this blog at the very bottom of this page…)
Now for the winner of the Calavera Bikini….(Drumroll, please! )
CONGRATULATIONS, ANNIE POWELL!!! You are the winner!! (And it sounds like you have an awesome summer ahead to enjoy it!)
Annie, please email me using the “contact” form at the top of my site, and I will let you know how to get your custom suit! You’ll love it, I am positive!!
Thank you, Bubble Shack Hawaii!
ALOHA to you all. Have a fabulous week!
Grommom
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