Page 12 - September 2019

Having been a military spouse where her
career aspirations often came second,
Natalie realized that she now had the
opportunity to "make my own choices about
my career and dreams." For as long as she
could remember, the desire to own her own
business was present. "I always had a vision
of owning ‘something' but what that was I
wasn't sure," she reflects.
"I liked the thought of being my own
boss but was uncertain about what I could
actually do. What kind of business could
I have?" Then one night, Natalie explains,
she awoke from a deep sleep thinking, "I
can make soap!" The decision to leave the
security of a job she loved at Riverview
Charter School was one filled with risk,
uncertainty, and lots of doubt.
"My soap bars are not detergents like There were many times in the year-long and lots of friends who actually "work for
many mass marketed soaps. My customers journey to open her doors at 210 Scott soap or nothing at all," she's thankful that the
really feel the difference and improvements Street, that she questioned her choice. "I Beaufort community has embraced her.
that using natural products makes to their realized there were no more holidays, no A member of the Downtown Beaufort
skin." more weekends off, no school breaks and Merchant's Association and Chamber
Interestingly, Natalie's path to mastering felt a bit of panic," she admits. But still, she of Commerce, Natalie is grateful for the
skincare and becoming a successful business made it her goal to open on July 1, 2018. support that other Beaufort businesses have
owner was an unpredictable one. Her life's An admitted perfectionist, Natalie did it all. given her. Whether it was small business tips
experiences are as varied as the soaps she From designing her store's interior, to her like putting out a sandwich board to drive
makes. Born in Maine where she lived until company's logo, to her product labeling and traffic into the store or sending customers
age 14, Natalie moved to Anderson, SC branding. her way, she says she felt immediately
upon her father's retirement from the U.S. Air Upon her opening, Natalie realized there welcomed by the business community.
Force. was still lots to accomplish. "I had a long list Bathe has produced several private
In 1999, Natalie also joined the Air of things still on my list, but I realized I just labels for area businesses and organizations
Force where she served as a meteorologist had to do it. That not everything had to be such as Breakwater Restaurant & Bar, the
while also earning a BA degree in Natural perfect when I opened the store." With no Rustic Pup, Brays Island, and the Port Royal
Sciences and Mathematics at Thomas retail background, Natalie jokes, "I opened Sound Foundation. And, adds that many
Edison State University in Trenton, NJ. She for business on my first day and realized corporations, schools, doctor's offices,
later earned two master's degrees – one that I hadn't even thought to get cash for the realtors, and other local businesses request
in Management and another in Human register!" Now with a part-time staff of three large orders of her soap and products for
Resources from Webster University. company gifts and promotions. Wedding
Natalie pursued a variety of careers and baby shower favors are popular, too,
serving as the only female civilian instructor she says. Natalie also supports the local
of meteorology for the Department of community through donations of her soap
Defense at the Community College of the and Bathe products to organizations such as
Air Force, teaching high school science and Hopeful Horizons, a children's advocacy,
math, and even a short-lived stint in Las domestic violence, and rape crisis center.
Vegas as a TV meteorologist. Beyond store hours, Bathe also hosts
Natalie arrived in Beaufort in 2010 when private parties and events including Girl's
her then Marine husband was stationed Night Out, bath bomb making parties
here. Just before her move back to SC, (popular with teens), neighborhood
Natalie began searching for the best schools gatherings, military spouse get-togethers --
in the area for her son and daughter, then all complete with appropriate refreshments.
ages 6 and 11, to attend. Her search for Marking her first anniversary
schooling, however, actually led to her next by launching a new Bathe website
career opportunity at Riverview Charter (batheinbeaufort.com) at the request of her
School in Port Royal where she served in customers, Natalie seems content, yet very
several capacities as a program director humbled, about her success. She's quick to
of the school's before- and after-school give credit to those around her that helped
program, as a middle school teacher, and her to make it happen.
as the school's Director of Operations. "I know for certain how special it is to
It wasn't until Natalie's divorce in 2016 have the support I do. You can't find that just
that she found herself at a crossroads. anywhere."
12 September 2019 | BeaufortLifestyle.com