Hi, I'm David, and as you might have guessed I'm the founder of Cool Chimp Soap.

Thinking back to the beginning of my soaping journey, I’m reminded of the patience, the small wins, and the heavy, difficult moments that have shaped this path. I think back on everything that went wrong, but also everything that had to go right to bring me here. Both were essential in this journey. Above all else, my wife has been my strongest pillar throughout this journey. She never let me quit and always believed in me—even when I didn’t believe in myself. She’s been patient, encouraging, and persistent.

The Cool Chimp Soap journey began in the summer of 2023. On a business trip to Charlotte, NC, I packed the usual: clothes, grooming products, and toiletries. A few days before my trip, I purchased a bar of men’s natural soap. Settling into my hotel, I unpacked it and showered. The scent was amazing. The feel on my skin was even better—smooth, lathered nicely, and didn’t dry or irritate me like the chemical-laden soaps I’d used before. It was the best soap I’d ever tried.

Back home, a few days later, I saw a Facebook ad from the same company. I checked their website, remembered how great the soap felt, and realized something: I could do this. I could create a product like this—natural ingredients, marketed to men, elevating someone’s shower routine, all that stuff. I could make it, sell it, and share it. This could be something that I could put my heart and soul into, and that somebody else could use and enjoy.

Fast forward to November 2023: I bought ingredients and made my first batch. Sweet Orange. A disaster. It crumbled and flaked when I attempted to cut the loaf. Batch two: coffee-scented. Also a disaster (I'm seeing a pattern here)—overheated and seized. I gave up and stayed away from soap-making for a year.

December 2024, something inside me stirred. Months of research, studying, and YouTube tutorials later, I picked up the blender, ordered ingredients, and tried again. Batch three—success! To this day, I cannot describe the euphoria, excitement, relief, and pride as I sliced through the bars. I had made soap. It worked, and it was my creation. It was beautiful.

You didn't think that it ended there, did you? My friends, that was just the beginning. Packaging, social media, website, insurance, overhead—the list went on. I had two false start launches, August 1 and September 1 (2025), both delayed because the product wasn’t ready, I didn't feel that it was ready.. I always maintained I would never sell something I wouldn’t use myself. If it wasn't good enough for me, then it wasn't good enough for all of you.

The day before I finally launched my labor of love, I remembered and reflected on something that I had read sometime back: “You will never truly be ready. You just have to start and adjust the course along the way.” Whether I fail or succeed, I know this: it will not be for lack of effort. The journey has been frustrating, yes—but also fun. I hope this product leaves a positive mark on those who use it.

Like Steve Jobs envisioned the personal computer and smartphone as extensions of the self, and so, I envision the same with my creation. That it can be a natural extension, a reflection of who one is by way of preferred scent and favorite bar. The clothes that we wear, the products that we buy, the smartphones in our hands, the music that we listen to, and of course the natural soap that we use are all a reflection and extension of our personalities. 

As I’ve gone through this journey, I struggled to define my story—what was my brand’s story? Little did I know, I had been writing it all along. My brand, my story, is one of persistence, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of those who push through even the hardest times. May my bars and my brand always serve as a reminder of that.

Lather accordingly.

David