Community Highlights: Meet Lindsey Motley of Motley Soaps

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Motley.

Hi Lindsey, we’d love for you to introduce yourself.
My name is Lindsey Motley. I am an almost 43-year-old mom of five children, married to my best friend in Mesa, Arizona. This part of my story started when we had our last daughter in February 2020. I left Corporate America to become a stay-at-home mom to our 2-year-old and newborn. Working full-time since I was 16, I wanted to take advantage of finally having the chance to cultivate my passion for creating, which I never seemed to have time for while trying to juggle a career and family. My husband fully supported my ambitions and also wanted me to find and pursue everything that set my soul on fire. While my very first business Motley Mind Designs, gained a following and still keeps me busy to this day, my professional success and passion came in February 2021 when my mother-in-law trusted me to take over her small business. It’s crazy now to think it was only two short years ago I resigned, and within that time, I gained two businesses of my own and now have an online gallery of artwork.

Motley Soaps started when she retired, but it became difficult to maintain when she and my father-in-law found a beautiful property up north, hours outside the Valley. I loved that she wanted to embrace her retirement and enjoy life fully, but I couldn’t watch this business that brought happiness to people ride off into the sunset. I could never have foreseen how much this leap of faith from both of us would take it to where it is today.

I remember thinking I would try to do 50 bars of soap a month. At the time, it sounded like a lot. I started with two scents, both of which sold out that first day. I was ecstatic. Fast forward to today. I am getting single orders for over 100 bars at a time. And I’m just as ecstatic now as I was that first day. Those two scents have turned into over 300 products, ranging from our popular loofah soaps to skincare to cosmetics. We even have special soaps for pets and children to make bathtime and hand-washing fun! You can also find us in stores around Arizona; we ship to over 30 states.

The ideas and inspiration haven’t stopped since that very first day. I never thought soap would become my favorite creative outlet, but I am passionate about it. I am so fortunate to be able to wake up every day to this life, make things I love, and know that what I am doing is making people smile. It’s not a job, and it’s never felt like one. That is how I know I have found my calling. I am immensely grateful for that.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been a smooth road because I have found something I truly enjoy and have an endless amount of support and love. However, I am a stay-at-home mother to the most amazing, fun, and energetic 4-year-old and 2-year-old. As with all stay-at-home moms and business owners, it’s finding time to do everything for the company, making sandwiches, reading stories, doing lessons, etc. It takes a lot of juggling, but I work through it, figure it out, and make it happen. I’m busy, but the opportunity I have to make a life on my terms while being able to raise my babies is something I would never want to call a struggle. It’s a blessing, and I’m grateful for it and all the challenges. It has made me a stronger person, a harder worker, and a better mom.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Motley Soaps is a family business based out of Mesa, Arizona, that specializes in quality, vegan, and cruelty-free products made with love. I have been vegan for over 5-years; it’s definitely not a gimmick or something I take lightly. Plant-based products are essential to me; it’s how I live. I want products that I am proud of my own family to use.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Not only am I raising babies and running businesses, but I am also passionate about fitness. I will be running my 5th marathon in January. I teach bleacher classes twice a week, take boxing/HIIT classes as often as possible a week in the morning, and do weight-lift with my husband in the evenings. Health and happiness go hand in hand. You don’t find time for the things that matter; you make the time. Our children need to see me taking care of myself, taking time for myself, and placing value on my health. Children learn by your example, not by your words. Yes, I want them to see me succeed on a professional level. But it’s more important that they see me just as mentally and physically strong in life as they do in business. Self-care isn’t selfish. And I bring that same philosophy to my products. Take care of yourself. Make time for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Contact Info:

• Website: motleysoaps.com
• Instagram: Motley_Soaps
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motleysoaps
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MotleySoaps

Image Credits
Greg Conn Photography