Golden Terra : Clean Living, Conscious Making
Some businesses are born from spreadsheets and strategies, but others start with something much simpler: curiosity and a spark of creativity. For Ashley, founder of Golden Terra Co., it all began during the pandemic with a TikTok video and a desire to keep her hands busy. Five years later, that spark has grown into a thriving small business, a community hub, and a heartfelt practice of care. for people and for the planet.
Ashley has always had a creative streak. From learning to knit at just six years old to selling handmade hair bows and cupcakes in high school, she’s long been tapped into her entrepreneurial side without even realizing it. Soap making was the hobby that stuck, the one that gave her room to play, create, and build something lasting. What started as an experiment has become Golden Terra Co., a brand rooted in craft, sustainability, and intention.
Her background in Geography, Environmental Studies, and Sustainability naturally shaped how she runs her business. She’s seen the impact of overconsumption on the planet, from landfills overflowing with fast fashion to plastic waste drifting in the ocean and she approaches every decision with the earth in mind. Golden Terra soaps are already a sustainable swap, but Ashley takes it further by buying ingredients in bulk, reusing shipping supplies, cutting back on packaging, and even feeding her compost worms with leftover paper scraps. “It’s impossible to run a zero-waste company,” she says, “but I do my best to limit what I send to the landfill.”
Her creative process is equally intentional but also playful. Golden Terra now carries more than 25 soap scents, each born out of her love for experimenting. She never limits herself when it comes to formulation, trying out new versions until the right one sticks. For her, the goal isn’t just a finished product, but the small moment of peace each one offers. “My products are sensorial, how they look, how they feel, how they smell. Being an anxious girly myself, those small moments of mindfulness matter.”
Community has also been a driving force in her journey. Through the Afterglow Makers Market, which she founded, Ashley has created space for fellow artists and entrepreneurs to gather, support one another, and share in the joy and chaos of setting up and breaking down shop week after week. “Vendors have to be just a little crazy,” she says with a smile, “but being in this community is so powerful because everyone understands the struggle and everyone is cheering each other on.”
Looking back, Ashley counts her fifth anniversary in business as one of her proudest milestones. What started as a pandemic pastime has led her to popping up with Google, filming a commercial with Avery, and forming lasting connections she’ll always treasure. “These past five years have not been easy, but they’ve been so worth it.”
Outside of work, she stays grounded in nature. Whether she’s tending her garden or exploring tide pools at the beach, it’s where she feels most inspired and most connected to why her business exists.
When asked what making waves means to her, Ashley sees it as a reminder that every action has the power to spread. “Making waves is knowing your energy, your actions, choices, or work has the power to spread and impact the world around you. I often say self care is the greatest form of resistance. With the chaotic climate of the world, it’s so easy to feel defeated and tired. Taking care of yourself allows you to show up as your best self and continue showing up for what matters.”
Golden Terra Co. is proof that even something as simple as a bar of soap can ripple outward — a blend of creativity, care, and community that leaves a lasting impact. If you’d like to experience it for yourself, keep an eye out for Ashley’s pop-ups at local makers markets or explore her collection of soaps, scrubs, and lotions online. Each product is a little reminder to slow down, care for yourself, and care for the world around you.
This story was created by Making Waves Project to spotlight real people whose creativity, resilience, and purpose inspire us all. By sharing these stories, we aim to honor the journeys behind the work and amplify voices that spark connection and change.
If you or someone you know has a story to share, we’d love to hear from you. And if you’re a brand interested in partnering with us to bring more stories like this to life, please reach out at hello@makingwavesproject.com
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Photography by Robiee Ziegler
Produced by Katie Caro
Post production by Kelly Budish
