Pacha Soap

Pacha Soap Co. operates as a for-profit social enterprise centered on providing natural, handcrafted personal care products. The company was founded by Andrew and Abi Vrbas and officially incorporated in 2013. The inspiration for the business stemmed from a volunteer trip Andrew took to Peru in 2010 while a student at Hastings College. Witnessing the need for sanitation education and sustainable economic opportunities, he conceived the idea of a soap company that could empower local communities. The name "Pacha" means "Earth" in Quechua, the language of the Peruvian people, reflecting the founders' initial inspiration.

The founders' journey began in their college dorm, where Andrew started experimenting with soap making. Abi, then an art and advertising student, joined the mission, and together they initially sold their products at farmer's markets and coffee shops. Andrew serves as the CEO, driving the company's mission, while Abi has shaped the brand's design and marketing. Their shared vision was to build a business that empowers people rather than simply providing aid. This ethos is central to Pacha Soap's business model, which integrates social impact directly into its operations. A percentage of every purchase supports clean water initiatives, hygiene education, and the establishment of small-scale soap-making businesses in developing countries. For instance, they have helped set up soap factories in Burundi, creating local employment.

Pacha Soap manufactures a diverse range of personal care items, including artisanal bar soaps, bath bombs, body butters, and scrubs. The products are crafted in Hastings, Nebraska, using ethically sourced, premium plant-based ingredients from around the world, such as palm kernel oil from Liberia. They are free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. The company's revenue is generated primarily through retail sales in approximately 750 stores across the U.S. and Canada, including major retailers like Whole Foods, with a smaller portion coming from online sales. In 2021, Pacha Soap merged with Hand in Hand and secured a growth investment from Bain Capital Double Impact to expand its reach and enhance its social and environmental impact.

Keywords: social enterprise, natural soap, handcrafted bath products, ethical sourcing, clean water initiatives, hygiene education, Andrew Vrbas, Abi Vrbas, sustainable personal care, community empowerment, for-profit mission, fair trade ingredients, WASH programs, artisan soap, bath bombs, body butter, Bain Capital Double Impact, Whole Foods supplier, regenerative agriculture, Hand in Hand Soap