Naked Soapworks grew out of a hobby and out of an effort to make healthier products. Laurel Bailey says that her goal with her products was reflected in the brand name.
“I wanted to make cosmetics with as little packaging as possible, I wanted to deliver the ‘naked’ truth on what was used to make them – offering consumers more information than I actually had to deliver – and, well, I figured people would usually be naked when they used my products.”
The name, it seems, was just too good for one little soap company. When, a friend sent Bailey a photo of a product she believed infringed on the trademark, she decided to talk to her lawyer.
“I learned that getting money because someone infringes on your trademark is not so easy,” she says. “As the trademark holder, it is up to you to go after whoever has infringed on your property. Usually, this can cost as much or more in legal fees as you are likely to walk away with – given that you actually win the case. In my case, I found out that the company in question had applied for the trademark. I had my lawyer approach them, and offer to sell – with the understanding that making a deal would be much cheaper than going to court.”
After many months of negotiations and paperwork, the deal came through. With that, Naked Soapworks started making its transition to its new name, Ethical Body. For Bailey, this is a huge step, and one she is celebrating.
However, she’s hoping to take one more step, and that’s to sell the nuts and bolts of the business.
“I didn’t build the business with the intention to sell it,” she says. “But while there are things I’ve really loved about this business – like educating people about what they’re putting on their body – there are other parts, like being a boss, and mostly, marketing, that I’ve decided I don’t want to do anymore.”
Bailey says that since closing her store in December 2011 and deciding to sell, she’s had numerous expressions of interest in purchasing it that have fallen through for various reasons. Bailey says that while she has taken a break from pursuing new business herself, she has done the research and knows exactly how it could grow.
“For anyone who buys this, that’s part of the deal,” she says. “Alongside learning how to make all the products.”
In the meantime, look for her cosmetics at the upcoming CSA Craft Sale. There will be some products that still have the label “Naked” on them, and also new ones with the new company name, “Ethical Body.”
