MUSCATINE, Iowa– Merrill “Mario” Lebron and Darryl Ravary did not take up soap making with plans to start their own business. In fact, they simply wanted to try and replicate a soap that one of Ravary’s childhood friends had stopped selling and that they missed buying. As their skills with hot process soap making improved though, they realized they had something they could share with the community. In September of 2020, they created the Merrill Soap Company.
The Merrill Soap Company uses all natural ingredients to create bar soaps with more than 100 pleasing scents. Whether you like classics like lavender, rich scents like leather, or even kid favorites such as gummy bears, you can find something to delight your senses. Since the beginning, the Merrill Soap Company’s Muscatine inspired soaps have proven some of their most requested products, both for locals and as gifts to far away friends. “Our best sellers are our locally themed soaps like the Muscatine Melon, Iowa Rain, and Mulberry Avenue,” detailed Ravary. “Customers are always looking for these to send to friends and relatives that no longer live in Muscatine or the state, sort of a ‘missing home’ gift if you will.”
Along with their classic soaps, they also feature bath bombs, beard oils, body scrubs, and their extremely popular new laundry soap. Soon, Lebron and Ravary plan on introducing shower steamers as well. To compliment their products, the Merrill Soap Company also sells soap dishes, soap or sanitizer pumps, and exfoliators. These beautiful home and bath additions make using their creations even more enjoyable.
All year long, the Merrill Soap Company sells their products online via their website. From May through October, they also have a booth at the Muscatine Area Farmers Market and sometimes sell at other events as well. Lebron and Ravary plan to continue selling in these venues, but also look forward to a new opportunity they have starting this winter. “We are excited about opening our permanent store, located at 130 East Second Street in February,” Ravary announced.
As they prepare for their next step for their business, Lebron and Ravary decided to join the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce and Industry so they could access all the benefits they have for local businesses. “The GMCCI is fantastic in supporting and promoting the local businesses in Muscatine to the world outside of our small town,” Ravary explained: “They are pro-business in every facet from advertising support, to community involvement and events, to educational and financial needs of a small business. They want to see every one of their members succeed personally and for the community.”
With the support of the Chamber, Lebron and Ravary look forward to continuing to develop the Merrill Soap Company and to providing the region’s finest soaps both to local residents and to people all over. “Just watching customers come in and start smelling is lots of fun, watching their faces as they try to figure out what scent notes we have put into a soap, the smell that takes them to a favorite place or reminds them of something special,” said Ravary.
