How a Sonoma County Mother Built a Natural Skincare Legacy.
When Emma Mann, founder of Soap Cauldron and Three Sisters Apothecary, gave birth to her daughter, her life changed forever—not only in the ways new motherhood transforms a person but in a way that reshaped her entire life path.
“What I had assumed would be a relatively straightforward life event turned out to be the most significant medical experience of my life—and, as I came to learn, of most women’s lives,” she recalls. Her twin pregnancy ended with the birth of a single 3-pound baby, who spent months in the NICU. “Caring for someone so fragile,” she says, “completely changed my outlook. I realized I was now responsible for the well-being of a tiny human with immediate and very specific needs. Suddenly, every choice mattered.”
She became aware of every ingredient that came into contact with her child. And when it was time to return to work, she couldn’t go back to the corporate world. Instead, she shifted toward natural products. Her first role was with Traditional Medicinals, whose teas had supported her during early nursing struggles. “I remember thinking, these are the companies that matter—the ones that acknowledge people’s challenges and offer something helpful, like Mother’s Milk Tea.”
That decision launched a 20-year journey with natural products. Along the way, she made her daughter’s baby food, clothes, and personal care products. Sixteen years later, it was that same daughter who gave her the nudge she needed to start her own company: “Mom, it’s time. If you don’t do it now, you never will.”
The result? Soap Cauldron—the umbrella company that’s behind the bath and body line Three Sisters Apothecary and Soapy Tails, their pet grooming collection.
What’s in a Name?
The name Three Sisters Apothecary is deeply personal. “Growing up with two sisters was its own challenge,” Mann says. “That bond became a core part of my identity.” When one of her sisters tragically died, the path became clear. “Our company also stands as a tribute to our shared past and the unbreakable bond between sisters.”
The company name also reflects a larger mission. “For us, the apothecary element of Soap Cauldron represents a return to natural wellness,” Mann explains. “We believe there’s a place for both Eastern and Western medicine, but alongside them, there’s also room for the centuries-old wisdom passed down through generations.”
Paige Green Photography
This reverence for tradition is apparent in their ingredients. “I love working with essential oils,” she says. “The purity of the plant essence is everything.” Unlike synthetic fragrances, which can disrupt the soapmaking process, essential oils blend effortlessly and carry benefits of their own. “Each oil is unique—like a fingerprint—and brings not only scent but beneficial properties to the final bar.”
The family’s connection to nature and heritage continues to influence Soap Cauldron’s carefully crafted products. “Right now, I’m over the moon about some upcoming concepts for Holiday 2025, inspired by the vibrancy and richness of our Mexican heritage,” she says, ”Our grandmother, a nurse from Mexico, would send us out to gather neroli blossoms from her citrus trees. She used them to make tinctures and teas, drawing on traditional remedies passed down through generations.”
Everyone Deserves Quality Personal Care
At the heart of their business is a simple belief: everyone deserves access to quality personal care. Mann explains that their customers seek products that are free from harsh chemicals, crafted with care, and suitable for a variety of skin types. That’s why Soap Cauldron is committed to making high-quality, small-batch natural products that also remain affordable.
Both Three Sisters Apothecary and Soapy Tails products are created from scratch using the traditional method of saponification. This process, in which fat and alkali react in water to form soap and glycerin, is also something Mann shares with local high school chemistry students through a partnership with the Sonoma County Office of Education. “It’s hands-on, it’s relevant,” she says, “More importantly, [the students] start reading product labels with a critical eye. And that’s where real change begins.”
Sourcing is thoughtful and local whenever possible, meeting rigorous third-party standards including Leaping Bunny and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), which audits the sustainability of the palm-derived ingredients. “We’re resourceful,” she says. “Our suppliers continue to meet our high standards.”
Sustainability is more than a box to check for Mann. “We’ve committed to sustainable, plastic-free packaging,” she says. “We use glass and responsibly sourced paper stock, much of it made from post-consumer waste.” Their next goal? Solar power for their Penngrove facility.
Paige Green Photography
Mann has given her business model a name: Strategic Maker. “As a former Merchant Marine and Naval Officer, I was taught to never ask someone to do a job I wouldn’t do myself,” she says. That ethic of shared responsibility runs deep.
Community is at the heart of it all. “We leaned into guerrilla marketing, built direct relationships with buyers, and hustled at farmers’ markets,” she says. “It was grassroots, hands-on, and exactly what we needed.” Today, they continue to support food banks and nonprofits and are active in local boards and oversight committees.
Soap Cauldron is a story of healing—physical healing, spiritual healing, and community healing.
“This life—this incarnation—what we do with it truly matters.” Mann says, “We want to leave [our community] just a little better than we found it.” And through soap, she’s doing just that.
Three Sisters Apothecary
soapcauldron.com
11830 Main Street, Penngrove
(707) 665-5976
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm | Saturday-Sunday 9am-4pm