Our Story
A Legacy of Simplicity, Sustainability, and Zero Waste
J.R.LIGGETT’S was founded in 1982 with a vision rooted in both heritage and innovation – to introduce an all-natural shampoo bar that was environmentally responsible, highly effective, and refreshingly simple.
But the story really begins much earlier.
At the age of five, founder J.R. Liggett was introduced to soap making by helping his Great Aunt Ann make her annual batch of homemade soap in Denman, Nebraska. A completely utilitarian process, Aunt Ann rendered the previous years saved up fats and oils to make her all-purpose soap, that she used for everything from bathing, laundry and dishes, to general cleaning. That experience left a deep and lasting impression on J.R., igniting a lifelong interest in the practical art of soap making.
Decades later, while living in New York City and working as a Clio Award–winning art director for Ogilvy & Mather ad agency, J.R. stumbled upon a handwritten recipe card titled “Hair Soap” tucked inside an old 19th-century cookbook on his family’s historic 1769 farm in Cornish, New Hampshire. Intrigued, he made up a batch of this old-fashioned shampoo – and the results were remarkable. Family and friends got hooked on it, coming back and asking for more, after using it just once. With encouragement from his wife and co-founder Diane, the couple turned a personal passion into a professional calling.
At a time when virtually all shampoos were made with harsh, petroleum-based detergents and sold in plastic bottles, J.R.LIGGETT’S offered something radically different: a zero-waste alternative made with wholesome natural ingredients, wrapped in paper, making for minimal packaging. J.R.LIGGETT’S Original Shampoo Bar began a revolution in haircare – petroleum free, plastic-free, and pollution free, made by hand in a renovated old cow barn on the family farm in New Hampshire.
As the business grew, J.R. applied his advertising expertise to create the now-iconic packaging and branding that reflects the company’s values of simplicity, quality, and environmental responsibility. The couple left New York City behind and moved full-time to their New Hampshire farm. Thus, creating what would become “An American Legacy Brand” from the ground up. Today their company and the family farm are both 95% powered by renewable solar energy, while still maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability.
An American Legacy Brand
Now, 43 years later, J.R.LIGGETT’S has expanded to over 35 products sold both nationally and internationally. Every item remains true to our original mission: to craft healthy, natural personal care products that are safe for people, pets, and our planet.
J.R.LIGGETT’S is proud to be recognized as “An American Legacy Brand”; rooted in tradition, fueled by passion, and committed to creating a healthier future for all. Join us in choosing our high-quality, zero-waste alternatives that honor and respect your body and our planet.