Our Story

Many people dream of owning their own business. This is not me. My parents are small business owners, and while I hold them in high esteem, I grew up with a healthy fear of failing at that particular adventure.

I went to school, earned a degree, taught school, got married, had children, became a stay-at-home mom, and eventually a homeschooling mom. My life was good. Then came COVID. 

It was a crazy time for so many people. My husband and I sold our house in Western WA, packed up our large family, and moved to TX, a land we had both only visited. Over the next five years, we lived in a travel trailer searching for "the just-right piece of land" from TX to NC and beyond. Eventually, we realized we missed the beautiful Pacific Northwest and being near family and friends and we came home to WA.

Our dream has always been simple: a lavender farm. A place to raise our children, live a little closer to nature, and build something meaningful together. We even picked our name together years ago: Lavender Mann.

The farm still hasn't happened yet, but something unexpected did. 

One day, I found a soap-making book by Simi at Muddy Mint. The photographs were beautiful and the way she wrote about the ingredients and craftsmanship inspired me.

I became fascinated by soap-making, essential oils, botanicals, clays and textures. I started collecting flowers and studying ingredients. I spent hours learning about oils, scents, and natural ingredients. I dreamed about creating soaps that were beautiful and nourishing at the same time. I still hesitated.

Then, one day, my husband said, "You just need to start  making soap." I had to repeat it to myself, because somehow I needed permission to do something so personal and creative. I am so grateful he spoke those words.

By day, I am wife, mom, teacher and friend.

But at night, I get to create. I get to blend scents. watch colors swirl together, work with botanicals, and cut each bar by hand. I get to bevel them, wrap them, and smell them again before they leave my hands. And now, at markets and online, I get to watch other people enjoy them too. 

Lavender Mann may have started as a dream about a farm, but today it has become something just as meaningful: a reminder that sometimes the life you are searching for begins long before you arrive there.

I am still afraid of failing.  We still haven't found our farm yet. But I have my family, my faith, the beauty of nature and this unexpected adventure of soap-making. For that, I couldn't be more grateful.

I hope you find as much joy in Lavender Mann as I do.

Tristan Mann

Owner, 

Lavender Mann Llc.