It was a simple gift of homemade soaps crafted with natural herbs that sparked David Kern’s passion for soap making.
Both he and his husband suffer from allergies, and regular bar soaps left their skin prone to breakouts. To help, Kern’s mother-in-law gave them some of her personal kitchen concoctions. After one use, Kern realized he had found the solution to their problems and embarked on a newfound hobby of creating natural soap for all skin types.
What was once a problem now had become an opportunity. Last year, Kern founded Vie Chevre, which means “goat life,” as a pop-up stand in Harrisburg’s Broad Street Market. In June, he moved into a permanent spot just inside the door in the market’s brick building.
Remarkable Difference
Much like his mother-in-law, Kern got started in his own kitchen, launching the business there before branching out.
A couple of years ago, after transitioning to a new job that left his weekends open, he filled the time by experimenting with recipes to create soaps for himself, his family and friends. To get started, he went to the Broad Street Market and purchased goat milk and other essential ingredients. He made three variations, and, before he knew it, had about 100 bars of soap sitting around his apartment.
Soon after, Kern was asked to put up a table to sell his soaps at the Odd Ones Bizarre, which allowed him to showcase his creations without renting actual store space. Over the course of a week, Kern decided on the name, the packaging and a logo for his business. The day of the event, he sold out of every soap bar he had created.
That one event not only launched a brand, it also began creating a loyal customer base. Elaine Brady Smith, a local artist housed at the Millworks, has been faithful to Vie Chevre since that first day at Odd Ones. In fact, even today, she loves his original formula soap so much that she buys it in bulk, purchasing eight to 10 bars a time, because it’s the only soap she can use on her ultra-sensitive skin.
“I have noticed a remarkable difference in my skin since I started using David’s soap, and now I won’t use anything else,” she said. “I loved David’s energy, and he is so passionate about what he does. We have become good friends.”
Amazing Journey
As his business expanded, Kern needed to find a local farmer who would supply goat’s milk in larger quantities. His first herd was from a farm in Hershey, but that was short-lived as the owner could no longer maintain the farm. So, he turned to Facebook for help, and that’s how he found his current supplier, Standing Goat Farm. The 13-acre farm, which is 15 minutes outside of Harrisburg, houses goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens.
But it’s the goats that matter to Kern.
“I did not want to work with a dairy goat farm, but one that treats their animals like their children,” Kern said. “Happy goats mean happy milk.”
The partnership benefits both operations. The growth of Kern’s business helps to support the farm operation, and Standing Goat Farm has a local market to sell off the excess milk that the Nigerian dwarf goats naturally produce. Two of the stars of the goat herd, CeeCee and Lucy, sometimes can be seen at the market during showcases like 3rd in the Burg.
“Goats are just the most adorable thing in the world,” Kern said.
As winter approaches, the goats don’t produce as much milk, so Kern freezes what he gets on a weekly basis and uses it throughout the season. Goat milk will stay fresh in the freezer for up to six months.
Although soap is the cornerstone of Kern’s business, he has branched out into candle-making with the help of Dimitra Diggs, owner of Urban Snob up the block on N. 3rd Street. Diggs is a candle-maker herself and a person Kern looks to for guidance on the subject.
Kern works with other local artisans who want to showcase their wares, offering a generous 90/10 commission split in favor of the artist. His only requirement is that they create something exclusive for Vie Chevre. Home goods, pillows and wood and ironwork pieces can be found in his store, with plans soon to offer furniture for order.
Besides the Broad Street Market, Kern’s products can be found at Farmers on the Square in Carlisle, the Inner-Connection in New Cumberland and Enchanted Evening in Lebanon or online at www.theallnaturalmale.com.
“It has been a path to an amazing journey,” he said.
Vie Chevre is located inside the brick building of the Broad Street Market in Harrisburg. To learn more, visit www.viechevre.com.
Author: Ann Beth Knaus
