About J.R.LIGGETT’S
J.R. Liggett was first introduced to making soap at the very early age of five. His Great Aunt Ann who lived in Denman, Nebraska had him help her make her yearly batch of soap.
This soap was completely utilitarian and used for everything from bathing, dishes, clothes and general cleaning. Aunt Ann cooked down all of the fat, grease and oils she had saved up through the previous year and thus rendered the oils needed to make her soap. She then used her soap through out the next year. This is how it was done in many parts of rural America during the early and mid 20th century.
NOTE: (Petroleum based Detergents did not enter the picture till the 1950’s and then was quickly promoted by huge corporations with lots of money to nearly entirely replace soap. Detergents are great for cleaning inanimate objects like Automobile engines, dirty floors and dishes, but these companies didn’t stop there. The came up with detergent based products that were designed to be used daily by people and pets like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, bubble bath and many other such consumable products. Only now we are finding out how really bad detergents are for people. Allergies, Sensitivities, Allergic Reactions, and especially all of the different forms of cancer that afflict us today.)
J.R. really enjoyed the process of making soaps and continued this practical and artistic hobby until about 35 years ago when he discovered an old recipe card stuck in a very old book. The recipe was for “Hair Soap” and caught J.R.’s attention. He made up a batch and the rest is history. One of the finest “all natural” shampoos, not seen for more than 100 years. He started by giving bars to friends and family as gifts for Christmas, birthdays, holidays, what ever the occasion. He soon had people asking for more and more.
During this time J.R. was working in New York City as an Art Director for Ogilvy & Mather (at the time they were the 3rd largest Advertising Agency in the world). J.R. had a very successful career there creating National TV and Print ads for clients like Owens Corning insulation (Pink Panther), Mercedes Benz, and Pepperidge Farm to name but a few. He also won two prestigious “Clio Awards” for both TV and Print. A Clio Award for advertising is similar to the Academy Award for film.
While living in NYC, J.R. and his wife Diane bought a beautiful farm in New Hampshire and quickly set about figuring a way they could move there and still make a living. Diane suggested maybe making Shampoo and selling it. The idea stuck and soon they had move to New Hampshire and had a growing and successful business of their own.
Now, over 40 years later, J.R.LIGGETT’S has over 35 products they sell nationally and internationally. All with a consciousness toward ecology and their customers well being.