Today we’d like to introduce you to Reiko Ratcliffe.
Hi Reiko, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. I married a man who was born with cerebral palsy in 2014. Currently, I live with my husband and his Aussie mum who is one of the top real estate agents in San Diego. I was going to SDSU for my bachelor’s degree. I wanted to work for a nonprofit organization to help people with disabilities, and everything was going great for my future… However, I had a spiral cord injury, and a complication of the surgery, I became a quadropleagia. My mobility was compromised. All of a sudden, I could not walk, my hands were weak, and I started suffering from a major neuropathy which still continues hurting me 24/7. I was devastated. I didn’t think I’d be able to continue my education. I was a marathon runner before… I wanted to give up everything, but my family did not allow me to quit school. It took me for extra years, but I received a bachelor’s degree in Business administration. The pain I have makes everything so difficult. Even typing makes me want to cry, especially in cold weather. So, I wanted to do something that makes me feel good, and something creative. Soap-making was the perfect match for me. Essential oils in the soaps calm my nerves, and making shapes and decorating soaps brought me so much joy. I wanted to share my soaps to people who are hardworking and tired, so they can find some relaxation from using my soaps. First, I just gave them to my family members and close friends, but I started giving them away to my mother-in-law’s clients. I started getting into more comprehensive soap making reading books about soap making, reading online articles, and watching tutorial YouTube videos. I didn’t plan on starting a soap business, but I needed to sell so I could make more. To me, soap making business is not for money, but it allows me to be creative and share the benefits of natural soap nourishing skin with natural fragrances.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s not always easy to sell products and it makes even harder during pandemic. I still have to work part-time to cover some of the costs making soaps. Also, my biggest challenge is my spinal cord injury. I have a neuropathy in my right hand and my fine motor skill is not the same like used to. Soap-making can be very physical, and I need to learn my body’s limit. Also, finding raw materials for making soaps can be challenging because I make small batches and I cannot afford to buy expensive tools and studio for my soaps.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Soapmaking. I like to share people with good quality yet reasonable priced handmade soaps. I am proud of my creativity. Each soap is different and never the same design.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love the weather in San Diego! I also love its people. People are more open-minded and friendly. I love this mixed culture. The least favorite part of this city is that cost of living is so high. It’s hard for small business to make a living these days.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.reikossoapkitchen.com
- Instagram: @reikossoapkitchen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reikossoapkitchen
