A Better You

    When Leiann Klein moved to Monrovia, mainstream bath and body products irritated her sensitive skin. She decided she would start making the same products for herself—but with pure materials.

    “I started everything from a selfish view,” says Klein, founder of Love and Kindness. “I wanted a better environment for my family, and I enjoy doing it.”

    The Frederick County company produces soy candles, vegetarian soaps and moisturizers, and even perfume. Everything is made locally by Klein, who sells her products through area shows, online, and at a handful of retail outlets in Maryland and New York.

    “It’s a challenge running a family and a business. I had no idea what I was getting into,” she says.

    Klein aims to make soap that is healthful for everyone. Her natural shea soap bar, for instance, is hypoallergenic, organic, and biodegradable. It comes both scented and unscented, with a small heart on each bar.

    The vegetarian All Over Moisturizing Lotion is one of her bestselling products, which isn’t surprising—it soothes dry skin and is chemical-free. Her lotions and shower gel leave skin feeling young, and her candles are also quite popular.

    And for being handmade by an eco-friendly company, Klein’s products are surprisingly inexpensive. Not surprisingly, her growing client base is loyal.

    “When people try it, they like it and come back,” she says, “so I must be doing something right.”

    Like all entrepreneurs, Klein hopes that someday her products will be available everywhere, but she’s not in it just for the money. She truly believes people should be able to find—and afford—products that are good not only for them, but for the planet.

    As she puts it, “I’m just trying to spread my love and kindness all throughout the world!”

For more information on Love and Kindness, visit www.givelk.com.