Mammy's Soap Co. - Where a Blessing Blossomed
- kaylamcvey
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
Inspired by long-standing passion and knowledge instilled at an early age by her grandmother, Michelle began soap making as another way to provide her family with only the best. She is skilled in canning, crocheting, gardening, foraging, sewing, and it would seem everything related to homemaking! Talk about a well-rounded woman!
When you walk into Mammy's Soap Co. - you've walked into what seems like an oasis. It's inviting, open, and well lit. The natural aromas floating through the air make you take a deep breath that fills your lungs with air for what feels like the first time. You're greeted with charm you can only find in a small town. You're met with a level of professionalism that gives you the confidence to ask any question but also a meekness that is willing to seek the answer when they don't have it.
It's located in downtown Selmer, TN within walking distance of plenty other wonderful shops to stop in. I'd dare say it's the perfect fall destination. Stop in Mammy's after drinking a nice cup of coffee at one of our shops located downtown. Grab some natural skincare, some tea to steep later at the airbnb ( the Loft is darling and located downtown), and then go antiquing at Dee's Vintage Odds and Ends. Wildwood Farms' pumpkin patch will also be in full swing or you can make the drive to Sunset Valley Farms for an apple cider donut. Fall is the best time of year in Southwest Tennessee. I could go on about it for days.
Michelle views her holistic lifestyle as a way to live out God's calling on her life and to use her business as a way to spread the Gospel. She has been building relationships locally since 2015 to promote natural healing metholds. She said she heard God's voice tell her, "they're ready" and that's when she introduced her herbal tea blends; she was blown away by the response from the community and the business began to slowly shift from soap and skincare to also include more holistic product lines.
The Richards moved to McNairy County around 2015 after following their son's family across the country to be close to their grandchildren. Michelle had no intentions of starting a soapmaking business - the business evolved slowly. She started selling eggs to Ada's Unusual Country Store in Bethel Springs and spoke with Ada about her soapmaking. Ada was looking for a new soapmaker and knew Michelle had been making soaps at home for family and friends. She began selling her soaps to Ada's then went to the Green Market in Corinth. The business expanded three times at her home within two years and she knew it was time to start looking for a retail space. Mammy's Soap Co. has been in their location in downtown Selmer for 6 years and celebrated their 10 year anniversary on May 18th this year.
Michelle grows all of her own herbs at home and hopes to impact the community by offering natural options for skin care, holistic health, and to build connections within the community. She strives to be a transparent resource within the community and be a warm place to land. The community she has had the opportunity to build over the last ten years is what she loves most about living here. She's thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a long-standing business in the county and has expanded her team to include not only her daughter but also other team members. Michelle and her daughter, Lacy, do all of the product making.
Lacy joined the team in April of 2022 - Michelle says working with her daughter is "fabulous". She homeschooled her children and says that gave her the chance to build very special connections with them. She says Lacy has been the hands and feet of the business since joining and loves getting to have her grandchildren around what has turned into a family business.
The family found McNairy County online one night while looking at a map. They're originally from Hot Springs, Arkansas and moved here from Florida. They were looking for the greenest spot on the map and she said this is where God sent them. When they found their home in Bethel Springs they closed on it in two days and made their way to McNairy County.
Mammy's carries an extensive line of handmade products - all dye free and crafted with health at the forefront.
Soaps and bath products
Men's Line
Shampoos
Baby and Postpartum Care
Herbal Remedies
Herbal Teas
Natural Cleaning Products
Pet Care
and plenty more!
The shop is open Monday - Friday 10-5:30, Saturday 10-3, and closed Sundays. You can order online at https://mammyssoapco.com or visit these lovely ladies in person at 159 W. Court Ave., Selmer, TN.
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