Meet Two Ravens Soap Company
Voted BEST GIFT SHOP in Littleton for 2025!
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Voted BEST GIFT SHOP in Littleton for 2025! 〰️
Jake: Owner and Creator of Two Ravens Soap Company
We have to ask, do you have a story behind your company name?
Two Ravens Soap Company was inspired by a ski documentary where a backcountry ski guide and a guest perished in a tragic avalanche accident. The next season, the owners of the outfitter came back to their lodge to open it up for the season and there was a raven flying around. They saw it as a good omen and named it after the guide that perished. The raven would greet them every morning, fly above them while out skiing and came back every season after that. The movie had quotes from a book called The Ravens End by Ben Gadd. I HAD to read this book and was absolutely inspired by them and how intelligent they are. How they're protectors of those who adventure out in nature, as well as all the lore behind them in Native cultures.
Ravens truly are amazing creatures! Tell us more on how you got started?
I had just quite my management job at a major retailer and was burned out on corporate management roles from the previous twenty years. I knew I was crafty and could start a small business with the passion I have for entrepreneurship. So I started thinking about what I could do. I am a huge fan of craft soaps and natural body care products and was having a hard time finding products specifically for men. Whether it was more woodsy and masculine scented products, or just products to help my body; beard care, outdoorsy lifestyle, etc. I took two months off of working after I left the corporate world to research soap making, the recipes, how-to's, equipment needs, the industry as a whole, etc. I started with some small batches just to give to family and friends, and after a couple rounds of production and great feedback, the business ideas, licensing and other exciting things that go into starting a business began. I officially launched my business in February of 2014 based out of my home in Littleton, Colorado.
What inspires you to create?
The mountains that surround me is the pure inspiration I get on a daily basis. Colorado is full of unique places to adventure. Part of the fun of exploring this beautiful State is the sights and smells you come across from just a simple hike or a big backcountry ski trip. I am very much tied to the correlation between sight and smell and use that as inspiration every time I create a new soap or product. No two experiences in the Rocky Mountains are the same. Just like my product lines.
What valuable lesson has helped you grow?
While I have known this for a long time, I have always stood by the mantra that it's ok to say NO and that you don't have to take on every opportunity or just say yes for the sake of saying yes. I tend to follow my gut instincts and that has paid off numerous times over my 11 years in business. My products do not have to be in EVERY store across the country to be successful. I'm allowed to be picky and ensure that these connections are from a place of heart, community and collaboration.
What is your favorite part of the process?
Each time I make a soap, there's an artistic process that goes into it. From the scent blending, to color options, swirls, and the fancy tops, each aspect has an artistic flare. It's very intentional on my end, and the part I love the most about making soaps. Even coming up with new recipes for beard care, or body sprays, etc can all have a creative touch and unique, Two Ravens, spin on it. From branding to product line to scents, the Two Ravens Soap Company vibe is very unique and stands out amongst the crowd.
Do you have a favorite item you have created?
Out of all the product lines I create, I'm most excited to show off my bar soaps. Each one is unique from the scent blend, to the colors to the herbs I put on top. They truly are pieces of functional art and it's a very enjoyable process for me. Then comes all the feedback once I have them out on my displays for sale.
Take us through a typical day in the studio for you?
Usually I'm up and having coffee, feeding dogs and tidying up the kitchen first thing in the morning. Then I get to shipping any orders from the day prior as well as getting social media posts out there right away. After those are completed, if there's any emails to follow up on or messages on social media to reply to, I'll take care of those. I keep a list on a dry-erase board in the kitchen to prioritize my week of production. There's many steps to the soap making process that have to be done in a certain and timely fashion. Once I plan and prioritize my day, I get after it; weigh out the oils for the day, get the lye solution blended and into the cooling stage, gathering any soap molds I need, or specialty equipment, and then essential oils and colorants needed. Once everything has gotten to their proper temperatures for production, then it's off to the races. Each batch of soap happens really quick once the oils and solutions are at proper temp. Then it's just blending, pouring, topping and putting the slab mold on a shelf to start the curing process overnight. After each batch the equipment and kitchen get cleaned up to start the next. And as the saying goes, rinse; repeat. The end of my day is putting equipment away for the evening and preparing the kitchen for dinner. But first, a craft beer as my reward for the day.
In prepping for Jackalope, what will you be bringing to show in Olde Town Arvada?
I'm excited to bring my full lineup of natural bar soaps, beard care, body/bath care and more! I've launched a couple new product lines including my solid dish soap setup, Denali Dish Soap. It's an eco-friendly way to wash your dishes without the plastic bottle, chemicals and blue colored liquids soaps we've been so used to using our whole lives. I've also launched a Van Life edition that's easy to take with you on your camping adventures, or if you're dedicated to living in your van and working wherever the nearest road brings you.
Any new items or projects that you are excited about?
One NEW collaboration I'm really excited about is the Tea Soaps we're making for Celestial Seasonings tea company based in Boulder, CO. So far I've created four different soaps featuring their teas! I brew up enough REALLY strong tea to replace the distilled water in my soap recipe. Then use the tea along with different natural colorants and essential oil blends to mimic the aroma and taste of the tea. The cool thing is, that tea is obviously a blend of herbs/leaves and I generally have them in essential oil form at the shop, so it's quite easy to match the scent to what's blended in the tea. Currently I'm making Sleepytime, Tension Tamer, Country Peach Passion and Vitamin C Shine tea soaps! They're just for sale in the Celestial Seasonings Tea Gift Shop at their campus in Boulder. So make sure to stop in and check them out. They're some of my favorite soaps to make AND favorite teas to drink!
That is so cool, congrats! You have a day off. What do you do?
My day off is definitely spent adventuring in the mountains. Whether I just go up and ride the chairlift to hike around at Arapahoe Basin, or go visit my favorite breweries like Broken Compass or Angry James with some friends, I'm always in a better mood and vibe. The mountains just have this healing energy like nothing else. There's a ton of hikes and trailheads in every direction up there, so it's not hard to go find some sort of views and vibes.
Now that you’ve told us about your off-days, where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I'd love my brick and mortar to be self-sustaining which would then allow me more opportunities to grow the business. I have many product lines in the waitings that are ready to launch once the extra funds are there. I love the community in which the store is located and am excited for more and more neighbors to come visit and see what we have to offer.
Fun fact time. Tell us something about you that others might not know:
I used to be on the crew for a local hot air balloon pilot. A few of us would assist the pilot with setting up the balloon envelope and connect it to the basket. Help get the hot air flowing into the envelope and upright. Then assist guests while getting into the basket to take flight. Then we'd drive a "chase vehicle" and essentially follow the balloon wherever it traveled. As it was coming down to land, we'd grab onto ropes and help bring the basket to the ground, get the guests out safely, then carefully release the hot air in the envelope and lay it down onto the ground. All while avoiding trees, cars, power lines, etc. It was an adrenaline rush and a great reason to get up before the sunrise. You'd see the most serene scenes at that time of day as the sun was coming up.
Very cool! Final question, what do you love most about Colorado?
I love everything about Colorado! The mountains are the biggest inspiration in my life, but I love how easy it is to get into any type of fun here. Plus you're not that far away from literally anything you'd like to do. The husband and I get into skiing at the local resorts such as Arapahoe Basin and Keystone, to backcountry adventures off of Berthoud Pass. Mountain biking at Keystone and Winter Park Resort is always a blast, as are just easy hiking days accessed by their respective gondolas. The dogs LOVE to ride the gondola and go for a hike. Best part is the ride back down when everyone is tired and ready for dinner and a beer. There's also plenty of lakes and rivers to get the kayaks into during the summer. Camping on National Forest land? YES! Hiking on the trails within the foothills of our neighborhood association? Absolutely! Plus we're just a few short miles away from the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater. Concerts and movies and hiking abound all right there at this world-renowned venue.
We can’t wait to see you in person this October 4th & 5th when Jackalope takes over Olde Town Arvada.
Fun fact: This will be Two Raven’s 9th year with Jackalope!!
Where to see more of Two Ravens Soap Company:
Website | www.tworavenssoap.com
Instagram | @tworavenssoap
Shop in person | 9729 W Coal Mine Ave Unit R, Littleton, CO 80123