Located in the Cherry Street District of Tulsa is an Osage-owned business called Magnolia Soap and Bath Co.
The company sells merchandise including bath products, laundry soap and candles, among other items. The unique part about the products from Magnolia Soap is that they’re all natural, paraben and chemical-free, and ideal for sensitive skin.
“I actually found out about this business model in September of 2020,” said Scottie Rae Lawrence, owner of Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. “We were right in the middle of Covid. They’re all masked up and everything was shut down. And I love opening businesses and I love business. I had never made soap in my whole life. I’d never made a candle. I had never done anything. But I was like, ‘How hard could it be to open a soap store?’”
Almost every product, from bath bombs to candles and soap bars, is made in the store. There is also an added store bonus: guests can have a party at the store where they can make soap bars, bath bombs and shower steamers. The store also offers activities for children to come in and decorate bath bombs.
Even though Lawrence had been involved with businesses before, this particular one was a completely new experience for her.
She opened her first location in December 2020, and it instantly took off.
“I just wanted someplace where people could come to Tulsa and make memories and walk in here and have instant joy,” she said. “During that time, it was like we needed a place where people come and it brings them happiness because everyone was just very miserable and sad during COVID. I wanted a safe place and you instantly walk in because the smells are amazing. You feel happy because you smell and touch things.”
She then went on to open two more locations. The second store opened in November 2021 inside Woodland Hills Mall across from The Apple Store and she opened the third store in Broken Arrow in November 2023.
Giving back
The company supports two charities each month, with some soap bars made specifically for each charity. Fifty percent of the proceeds of each soap bar goes to the respective charity. In the last three years, the company has supported over 80 charities in the Tulsa area.
“We began giving back to charity with our hope and soap every month and seeing how we can touch different charities in Tulsa,” she said. “And bringing awareness of that and giving back. Because when you’re in business, you have to find a reason that’s bigger than yourself. And for me, it’s the community giving back.”
Lawrence said she has a team that helps with the success and shares the same values she does, and helps her balance it all.
“My team also has that same culture and mentality, which is how we can give back with our work and our good works,” she said. “I have three stores with three phenomenal managers. And when Scottie needs a personal day, I get one. That’s really important. I’m able to reset, rethink, and I can also talk to them about just how I’m feeling.”
WahZhaZhe and Flower Moon
Lawrence and her team also designed two bars of soap that are a reflection of her Osage culture. They’re named WahZhaZhe and Flower Moon.
“The WahZhaZhe scent combines the rich scents of mahogany and teak with the refreshing clean scent of a spa,” she said. “The Flower Moon scent is a combination of cologne and perfume; Warm vanilla musk with a soft powdery finish. Both are created with unisex scent profiles for all to enjoy. They are made with plant-based and phthalate and paraben-free scents.”
She hopes that her soaps can be used in the Osage Casinos and sold in the Visitor’s Center and other Osage businesses in the future.
“Creating these soaps inspired by my Osage heritage is my way of honoring my family and sharing a piece of that with others. Starting this business and watching it grow has given me confidence, independence, and pride knowing that I can make a difference in the lives of others with my products. I never imagined something so simple as a bar of soap could make such an impact in my life and the lives of others.”
Having a soap business has changed Lawrence’s perspective on purchasing soap from stores that may contain harmful chemicals or parabens and can cause sensitive skin issues.
“I learned a lot about it whenever I started and I’d always purchased lye soap and that’s what I always used,” she said. “But once I learned what is in it, I can’t believe the stuff that I put on my babies. And that makes me sad that I did that because commercials said how good it was for them and it’s not. Also, what’s in our detergent? The body is the biggest organ and whenever you’re washing your clothes with the detergent that’s on the commercial, it’s terrible. That’s why you have so many sensitive skin issues.”
Lawrence’s father, Scott Johnson, said that she’s always explored different business ventures.
“She’s always been a very strong entrepreneur,” he said. “She’s always looking for different challenges and businesses and so it really didn’t surprise us. We didn’t know how big it was really going to be at the time.”
Ashley Dailey is a customer and frequently buys her body and skin products at Magnolia Soap. She discovered their products during a St. Patrick’s Day event.
“I bought some of her products and I fell in love with them,” she said. “So I started gifting them to my clients. I had her put together a basket for me for a client appreciation event I did that year. Then we connected on social media. I’m just a huge fan of Scottie, and she’s a hard worker and she does good things in the community as well.”
“I think it’s inspiring to see a Native woman business owner thrive in the local Tulsa market,” Dailey said. “And do it with products that she believes in and is passionate about. Scottie is someone you just want to be near and follow.”
