Downey entrepreneur uses soaps to support needy causes
DOWNEY – Marcela Arrieta might just be the busiest stay-at-home mom in Downey. And she’s okay with that.
When this 36-year-old wife and mother of two decided to leave her career in human resources and purchasing nearly five years ago, she never imagined that would lead to her own line of handcrafted soaps.
“I left my job in 2011 because I wanted to spend time with my kids,” Arrieta said. “But being home alone -- I didn’t stay idle for very long.”
In fact, Arrieta, a Downey resident since 1999, became a practitioner of holistic and alternative medicine helping clients heal from emotional and psychological stresses.
“My clients started asking how they could prolong their state of bliss so I created something they could use at the end of the day to deliver a stream of relaxing energy,” she said.
With the help of family and friends in 2014, Arrieta launched Majestic Bliss Soaps, which sells handmade vegan, palm oil-free, and animal cruelty-free bath products.
“All of the soaps are made from scratch with top quality ingredients,” Arrieta said. “But I established this with one purpose in mind, to help humanity and the animal kingdom thrive.”
Marcella Arrieta stands beside a Majestic Bliss Soaps display at Whole Foods. Courtesy photo
In addition to making decorative bath soaps for humans and animals, Majestic Bliss Soaps also works closely with non-profit organizations and charities in an attempt to promote societal wellness by feeding the homeless and providing medical treatment around the globe.
The company, which now sells its products in Whole Foods Market and Lazy Acres Market chains from San Diego to Santa Barbara donates 10 percent of its profits, products or staff time each month to these philanthropic causes.
Arrieta said her business takes the first day of every month and tries to find a way to give back. On Tuesday, Majestic Bliss Soaps, which is based in Santa Fe Springs, put together 150 care packages for Alleviate Skid Row, a non-profit striving to end homelessness on the streets of Los Angeles.
“We don’t just make soap, but we connect out customers to organizations that need the support,” Arrieta said.
So far, the company has partnered with the Lamp Community of Skid Row, Hope for Paws, Rescue from The Hart, Doctors Without Borders, and Drive-By-Do-Gooders, which drops off water, hygiene kits, and snacks to men and women on Skid Row.
“They just want someone to care -- they’re great, wonderful people and they appreciate everything we do,” she said.
Arrieta believes the company is on track to steadily grow this year and its products could even venture into new stores in the coming months.
“It’s an opportunity to help more people and raise more awareness, using our products to contribute to a greater cause,” Arrieta said.