Siouxland Magazine - Volume 3 Issue 4

grow
Don’t fear failure. Embrace it. It’s where the learning happens.
No risk. No reward.
Loess Valley
Iowa’s West Coast Initiative Feature
Business Owner: Becky Flannigan
Business Name: Loess Valley
Main Products/Services: Small batch, handcrafted
goat’s milk soap, and skincare products (lip
balm, body scrub, hand cream, skin balm/salve)
Location: Salix, Iowa
Website: loessvalley.com
Short description of your business:
Loess Valley is a soap business specializing in
goat’s milk soap. All products are created by hand,
in small batches.
What’s unique about your business?
All of my soaps are made with raw, creamy milk from
my small Nubian dairy goat herd.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to
overcome as you’ve grown your business?
Changing my mindset from being a soap maker to
being a business owner (and thinking and acting like
one) has been challenging.
What has been your greatest reward?
The personal growth and confidence I’ve gained as I’ve
stretched myself out of my comfort zone.
What motivated you to start your business?
What drives you each day?
Honestly, I never set out to own and run a business.
Soapmaking started as a 4H project when I was
younger. Throughout the years, I continued to raise
goats and make soap for personal use. Eventually,
friends and family started using and asking for
my soap, and it organically grew from there. I feel
strongly that this business is an opportunity God
has blessed me with in life. I don’t completely
understand why or how it has grown into this, but
at this point, Loess Valley is just me stepping out in
faith and obedience to be a good steward of this
gift/opportunity.