Four Inane Questions with Fire Lake Soapery’s Laura Rozell

Photo Courtesy of Laura Rozell

If you’re conscientious about what products you use on your skin, may we introduce you to Laura Rozell? Long before she took over the reins of Fire Lake Soapery in Paola, she’d been concocting and creating her own natural, vegan products. “My passion began at a very young age with being mindful of what we put in and on our bodies,” Rozell says. “I enjoy making products that help people who choose to support a healthier, toxin-free lifestyle.”

These days, she’s hyper-focused on making her famed, small-batch artisan soap. No toxins. No harsh chemicals. No kidding. “It was important that I pass on this passion of helping people feel better in their own skin,” she says. “Each bar looks as amazing as it smells.” She must be doing something right because her Fire Lake Soapery products can be found in over 1,500 retail shops across the U.S., as well as in five different countries.

In addition, if you’ve ever wanted to learn the nuances of creating soap, Rozell even offers events that feature candle and soap-making classes. “It’s a great way to have a team-building event, birthday party, or just a night out,” she says. 

We caught up with the soap entrepreneur (soap-preneur?) as she was test marketing a few new-ish products. “Research is ongoing,” she quips. Naturally, she was a trooper when answering our moronic questionnaire. Oh, and we left smelling guava-mango-lemon-papaya-coconut-astic.

The Pitch: What character would you play in a soap opera? 

Laura Rozell: Lyla Montgomery on As The World Turns. She was a gutsy, head nurse that was a front-line activist. She was passionate about all she believed in, not afraid to fight for the rights of others, and supported those in need. Plus, it was the least controversial daytime soap opera, and it’s what my mother watched. It seemed to have moved at the pace of the ’70s & ’80s.

Photo Courtesy of Laura Rozell

If you could only hear one songbird for the rest of your life, which songbird would it be? 

Cardinals! They sound like they’re saying, “birrdie birrdie” or “perrty perrty.” Cardinals are a symbolic bird and symbolize positivity amidst the troubles we experience in life. People say cardinals appear when angels are near, so every time I see a cardinal in my yard, I think of my loved ones saying hello. 

Maybe in my second life, I will be reincarnated as a cardinal?

Officially, what’s the earliest/latest that’s acceptable to send a text message?

After 9 p.m. is on the edge—but it depends on your work. When I worked late hours, 11:59 p.m. could be the cut-off. For my business, I will not send a text before 8 a.m. Everyone needs privacy and time to regroup.

But for family and friends, I’m always open for conversation or help. 

What award are you most likely to win—Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, or Tony? 

Probably EGOT, which is referred to as the grand slam. Because, like Elton John, I can sing every one of his songs in tune! And I think I sound just like him—but just in the shower or bath! 

Bonus 5th Question: Do tell—do you have a favorite soap joke? 

What happens if you sing in the shower? Well, then it just became a soap opera!