Long before natural and organic beauty supplies became mainstream, Clearwater business owner Bethany Hilsgen found success in the organic beauty industry with her company Purple Prairie Botanicals.

“I officially started Purple Prairie Botanicals in 2000,” said Hilsgen. “But several years prior to that I began having chemical sensitivity issues with products such as soaps and lotions.”

She started looking for alternatives without success, so after reading about making old-fashioned, natural soap she decided to give it a try. She was able to use the soap she created without any kind of reaction and, although she wasn’t yet aware of it, Purple Prairie Botanicals was born.

Hilsgen was having so much fun making her own soap that she ended up with more than she could use, so she started giving it away to family and friends. They loved it so much she thought she would try selling it.

She started offering her products at craft shows, then started going to the Farmers Markets in St. Cloud and St. Joseph. It was a success.

At the time, Hilsgen was also working fulltime and had three small children. She knew it was time to make a change, so she quit her job and started Purple Prairie Botanicals.

“Purple was always my favorite color,” she explained about naming her company. “And we lived on a prairie, so the name just made sense.”

In the beginning soaps were her only product, but as customers began requesting other items the product line grew rapidly. Her first products were all unscented, but as she learned about the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils, she began adding them to her ingredients.

Although essential oils have been used for thousands of years, it’s only recently that they’ve become popular again.

“Interestingly enough, I used to save my paper route money back in the ‘70s to buy essential oils, Hilsgen said. “When I look back it seems like the calling was always there.”

She’s proud of the fact that her company is certified by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which works to eliminate dangerous chemicals linked to adverse health impacts from cosmetics and personal care products. All of her products have earned the lowest possible hazardous rating of one or less from Skin Deep, an organization that rates cosmetics and personal care items.

In 2004 the company launched its website, and her products began selling worldwide. Then in May 2018 she opened her storefront in Clearwater and things changed again.

“My favorite part of the store is being face-to-face with my customers,” said Hilsgen. “It also allows me to offer more than just what’s on my website, like plants. I’m free to be more creative.”

When customers enter the store, there are testers available for many of the products for them to try, as well as sample sizes of the soaps. Along with personal care, there are a number of crystals and similar items available, as well as essential oils, hemp soaps, and beard care products.

“I’m using hemp seed oil and am starting to get into full spectrum CBD for benefits like pain relief,” said Hilsgen. “Diffusers have been popular, and candles will be coming back by popular demand.”

Her goal is to continue to grow and evolve.

“I think it’s really important to not stay the same,” she said. “Mix things up, not necessarily growing, but changing.”

Purple Prairie Botanicals is a family business; all three of Hilsgen’s kids have worked with her off and on since the beginning. Her advice for anyone who wants to start their own business is to “go with your intuition and what you love, don’t let non-believers bring you down.”

Purple Prairie Botanicals products can be purchased in store at 800 Nelson Drive in Clearwater, or by visiting purpleprairie.com.

“I want to focus on the store and evolve into some kind of community giving – something bigger that helps humanity,” said Hilsgen. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”