Clean. Honest. Thoughtful. Meet Plainville Homestead

It’s well after midnight and most residents in the small town of Plainville, Massachusetts are asleep.

Not Pam Phinney, though.

She’s wide awake - save for the occasional yawn - and toiling away. She has to complete a few more batches of body lotion to fill the open orders that have come in over the past few days. Then there’s the matter of packaging, labeling and preparing them for shipment.

Running a small business is challenging enough, let alone doing so in the middle of a pandemic. Add to that an active six year old whose needs naturally demand most of his Mom’s attention during the day, and that challenge is multiplied tenfold.

She’s exhausted, body, mind and soul, but still she works, pouring everything she has into her products.

It is, as she puts it, a true labor of love.

Turning obstacles into opportunities

Just four short years ago, Pam was working full time in the wireless communications industry, on the retail side. She loved the people she worked with and genuinely enjoyed helping customers, but deep down she longed for something more.

So, when she got the news that she was being laid off, she embraced it as a catalyst for change and a chance to explore what opportunities might lie ahead.

“All my life, I’d battled with acne-prone skin, trying product after product with no results,” recalls Pam. “A few years prior, I’d started making my own skincare products, drawing from my fascination of science and chemistry to create and perfect my formulas. Scaling that into a small business seemed like the natural next step.”

And just like that, Plainville Homestead – and its holistic and straightforward approach to skincare – was born.

“Skincare doesn’t have to be complicated.”

One of the things that had always bothered Pam was the fact that most of the big-name skincare companies seemed to over-complicate things. Far too many products on the market today feature questionable ingredients and unnecessary additives, not to mention the unethical gimmicks and fear mongering tactics that are being used to drive sales.

Plainville Homestead is different.

It’s a brand built upon the characters of thoughtfulness, honesty, integrity and ethics - from the careful selection and sourcing of ingredients, to the transparency with products and labeling, to being mindful of their carbon footprint.

All of their products are meticulously handcrafted using natural raw ingredients, most of which are USDA-certified organic or Ecocert approved, and all of which are cruelty-free. You won’t find any parabens, formaldehyde, sulfates, or other harsh/harmful chemicals in these products – and you can be confident of this, since a detailed ingredients list is included with each and every one.

“I mean, think about it. Your skin is the largest organ on your body. Shouldn’t you know what you’re putting on it?” comments Pam.

Something for everyone

The Plainville Homestead line of products is expansive and growing by the day. It features a wide variety of all-natural self-care products, from lotions and scrubs to balms and salves.

Among their most popular products are the artisan soap bars, which are embedded with genuine stones and crystals. The Namaste Centered soap, for example, features an authentic amethyst, which is known to convey stability, courage, balance, and centering.

Those looking to pamper themselves can choose from an impressive line of pure skincare products, like the "Seaside Bee-uty" facial masque, which is fortified with Dead Sea mud, Manuka honey, and handmade bee propolis tincture. Enjoy the benefits of a luxurious facial without the hefty price tag or all the questionable ingredients.

Hard day? Treat yourself to a relaxing soak with therapeutic bath salts or tub teas, perfect for soothing mind, body, and soul.

Latest workout leave you feeling stiff and sore? The organic muscle and joint balm is sure to provide much-needed relief, thanks to mindfully chosen ingredients, like organic oils of hemp seed, avocado, and flaxseed.

With everything from beard oils and hair rinse to lip balms and perfumes to products designed exclusively for new moms and babies, there’s something for everyone in the Plainville Homestead line.

Sustainability from start to finish

Plainville Homestead’s commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious business practices doesn’t just end with the products themselves.

Everything, from the packaging and shipping materials to the boxes and labels, are carefully sourced and selected based on their eco-friendliness. Even the bubble wrap and packing peanuts they use are made from recycled materials and post-consumer sources.

“It’s fundamental to me that I do my part to help keep the planet healthy for generations to come, and that means taking deliberate measures to protect our natural resources,” Pam says.

Worth every sacrifice

As the clock ticks into the wee hours of morning and Pam is finally ready to settle in for a few precious hours of sleep, she checks in on her sleeping son, whom she says gives her “reason to breathe, to love, to laugh, to hustle and grind.”

Plainville Homestead has provided her with the flexibility to be able to spend more quality time with him – a benefit that’s worth every late night spent toiling away, creating and testing formulations until they’re just right.

“Being a maker isn’t just a job to me. It’s my life. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything else.”

Be sure to check out Plainville Homestead on Instagram @plainvillehomestead. You can purchase direct from their website www.plainvillehomestead.com. Use code WELCOME10 at checkout and receive 10% off your first order of $20 or more.