KAMUELA, HI — A woman with ties to Lake County who started a soap business on the big island of Hawaii recently announced her products will be featured in gift bags for actor Tom Cruise and family.
Jessica Taylor started Shaka Soap in 2011. Since its founding, the company was involved in the invitation-only luxury Gift Lounge hosted by GBK Productions at the W Hotel in Hollywood Feb. 24 and 25. The exclusive event allows companies to interact with celebrities for marketing and promotional purposes.
The company”s experience at the Gift Lounge went well enough for it to gift products to Cruise and family in association with the Artisan Group.
“We are so excited to be able to gift to such a big-name celebrity and his family,” Taylor said. “It is such an exciting opportunity for our business and personally as a creator of our products.”
Taylor, who grew up in Cobb and recently moved to Hawaii, is the sole proprietor, creator and founder of Shaka Soap.
In addition to involvement in the gifting opportunity with Cruise, the Kamuela-based company had the opportunity to provide donations for a fundraiser for Multiple Sclerosis.
Shaka Soap is also focused on participating in an Earth Day event, gifting to celebrities who are promoting both organic and green products. Recipients this year include Tom Hanks, Kate Bosworth, Alicia “Pink” Moore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Dave Matthews, Drew Barrymore, Ellen DeGeneres, Orlando Bloom, Sting, Mark Ruffalo and Edward Norton.
Following the Earth Day event, Taylor will be prepping her products for placement in “swag” gift bags at the MTV Movie Awards. Shaka products will also be on display for photo opportunities with attending celebrities.
Shaka Soap was selected as a member of the Artisan Group in 2011. The group is a juried community of talented artisans who provide a sampling of handcrafted products to celebrities and members of the press at major award show gift lounges leading up to the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Primetime Emmy Awards.
Shaka Soap specializes in naturally-made handcrafted soap, lotions, lip balm, salves, sugar scrubs, bath salts and more. Taylor is able to customize the products for customers, including placing company logos, phrases and pictures on the soap. Taylor said she works to fully understand every customer”s unique needs and specific requests.
For more information or to view Shaka Soap products, visit www.shaka-soap.com. Taylor”s products are available at two Middletown locations: at B. Lavish day spa, located at 21108 Calistoga St. (Highway 29), and at Latrease”s Sassy Scissors, located at 21418 Highway 175.
