About Me

Meet Shana — The Heart Behind Black Fern

Hi, I’m Shana, the owner and creative mind behind Black Fern! My soap-making journey began in 2021, but the dream started long before that. My mom and I had always talked about starting a business together, creating and selling handmade soaps and other bath and body products. It was something we were both excited about, but like so many things in life, our plans kept getting put on hold.

In 2021, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. That diagnosis changed so much, and it made me realize that life is too short to keep putting dreams on the back burner. So, I decided to stop waiting and turn our dream into a reality. That was when my first soap business, Botania Soaps, was born.

When my mom passed away in 2023, I knew I needed to step away. I took a break from soap making to grieve, heal, and focus on myself and my mental health. As much as I loved what I did, I needed that time.

Eventually, I started to miss it. I missed the creativity, the excitement of trying something new, and the simple joy of making something beautiful with my own two hands. I realized that my passion for soap making had never really gone away. It was just waiting for me to find my way back.

And that’s how Black Fern came to life.

Black Fern is more than just a rebrand. It’s a fresh start, a new chapter, and a way for me to continue doing something I love while carrying a piece of where it all began.

A Little About What I Do

Cold process soap making is truly where my heart is. I love everything about the process, from choosing incredible, high-quality fragrances to experimenting with colors, swirls, and unique designs. Every batch gives me an opportunity to be creative, and no two batches are ever exactly alike. That’s part of what makes handmade soap so special to me.

There is something incredibly rewarding about taking simple ingredients and turning them into beautiful, quality bars of soap that people can enjoy every day. Knowing that something I’ve poured my time, creativity, and care into ends up in someone else’s home genuinely makes me happy.

While soap will always be my first love, I also enjoy exploring other creative outlets. Candles, car fresheners, perfumes, and room sprays are just a few of the things I love creating and experimenting with. Maybe one day I’ll even find my way back to making lotions and sugar scrubs!

But for now, I’m taking things one step at a time. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do everything all at once. I’d rather grow at my own pace and put my heart into what I create than rush the process.

From My Hands to Yours

Black Fern is a small business built on creativity, passion, resilience, and a dream that began with my mom.

Every soap I make is handcrafted with care, attention to detail, and a genuine love for what I do. My goal isn’t just to make soap that looks and smells amazing. I want to create something that feels special, something you look forward to using, and something I’m truly proud to share.

Thank you for being here, supporting my small business, and allowing me to share a little piece of my creativity with you.

What started as a dream between a mother and daughter has become something I get to carry forward in my own way. And that means more to me than words can express.

With love, Shana  

Owner & Creator of Black Fern