Made Different for a Reason: My ADHD, Autism, and Why I Don't Stop Until It's Right

There's something about me I want to share with you: I have ADHD and autism.

I'm not sharing this for sympathy. I'm sharing it because it's a big part of how our products are made.

I See It Differently

I know a lot of people see ADHD and autism as a disability. I see it the opposite way. I consider myself lucky.

My brain is wired to dive deep into the things I love, and making soap is one of them. When something isn't quite right, my brain won't let it go. I keep thinking about it. I keep testing. I keep changing it, until it's done right. Some people call that hyper-focus. I call it a gift.

The Body Butter I Couldn't Stop Working On

Here's a real example. When I started making body butter, I was a big believer in anhydrous body butter. That's a fancy word for body butter made without any water. I was sure it was the best way.

So I tested it. Then I tested it again. And again. Test after test, I found something I didn't expect: the body butter made with water held in moisture better, and for longer.

So I changed my mind. And I didn't stop there. I tested the texture over and over, until I finally made a body butter that's thick and very hydrating. That's the one we make today, our Soothing Aloe Hand & Body Butter, made with aloe vera, mango butter, and shea butter.

Caring About Our Earth, Too

My brain doesn't only think about how a product feels on your skin. It also thinks about where the jar ends up.

When I first started selling body butter, I used plastic containers. They were a lot cheaper. But it bothered me. I couldn't stop thinking about all the plastic waste I was adding to.

So I switched to glass, even though glass jars cost me about three times as much. I'm working on moving away from plastic completely. Today our body butter, our sugar scrub, and our whipped body wash come in glass jars, and our shampoo bars skip the plastic bottle altogether.

We All Have Our Quirks

Here's what I want you to understand: we all have some type of quirkiness. Mine is believing that sometimes we're made different for a reason. I believe God makes each of us on purpose, quirks and all.

Maybe part of my reason is sitting right there in your shower. A bar of soap I remade until it was right. A jar of body butter I tested until it was just what I wanted it to be.

So the next time you use one of our products, I hope you know it was made by someone who truly can't stop until it's right. And I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'd Love to Hear From You

What's your quirk? Maybe you're made different too, or you love someone who is. I'd truly love to hear your story. You can always write to me at shop@gracieandco1942.com.

A little about us: I'm Gracie, a third-generation soap maker. My grandmother started our family's soap making, and I'm proud to carry it on. We're a small, faith-centered family business in Waddell, Arizona, and we make everything by hand in small batches.