Today we’d like to introduce you to Katryna Deuel.
Hi Katryna, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Milkmaid Skincare was born from a deep passion for agriculture and respect of local farmers and ranchers. Growing up in the suburbs of Southern Oregon, I didn’t come from an agricultural background. The only experience I had with agriculture was when I participated in FFA out of curiosity.
After finding myself not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, I reconnected with agriculture. I was curious and signed up for various programs through OSU Extension. After completing a few courses I was completely enthralled, and wanted to learn more about farming.
I stumbled across a job listing for weekend help at a small raw dairy. At the time I was not totally onboard with the dairy industry, but figured I would learn first hand.
I fell in love immediately with working closely with dairy cows. I knew I had finally found my calling, and jumped all into what agriculture had to offer. What was a happy accident turned into something bigger.
Since 2022 I have worked on several farms across Southern Oregon, ranging from small raw dairies to a commercial dairy and more. I continue to work on a dairy and hope that one day I will have my own dairy farm.
Milkmaid Skincare blossomed into reality because of the hard work and dedication of farmers and ranchers. I prioritize using locally sourced ingredients to make handcrafted small batch skincare. I have a genuine love for agriculture and strongly believe that the more people are connected to their local agricultural systems the more we can support and grow together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being an entrepreneur is a roller coaster, and so is farming. You wear so many hats, and have to learn skills that you thought you would never need to know. New obstacles pop up everyday, and you have to learn how to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge again.
Being an entrepreneur exacerbates your weak points. Bad at communication? Struggle with organization and deadlines? That is all going to show up 10 fold in the business. Learning how to manage and grow not only yourself but a business is challenging. You have to be able to identify weak points and then correct it.
Nothing in life is easy, but its the challenges that make the wins feel even better. Even in the darkest times of my mental health issues this opportunity came along. At the time, I didn’t know that helping out at a dairy on the weekends would lead me to where I am now. I still have dark days but to be honest this business and cows help me get through them. Say yes to learning something new, you never know where it will lead you.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Milkmaid Skincare?
Milkmaid Skincare specializes in small batch skincare that prioritizes using locally sourced ingredients from farmers and ranchers. From cold processed Milk & Tallow soap, Whipped Tallow, Tallow Lip Balm, Oil Cleansers, and more.
I am personally hands on with the product from the very beginning. From milking the cows for the milk that is used in the soaps to the relationships that I’ve built directly with farmers and ranchers where I source the suet, beeswax, herbs, and more. I know how everything is raised or grown and where it comes from. It’s important that we support our local agricultural systems and know where and how not only our food but ingredients that we use are grown.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I am so grateful to have such wonderful and supportive people around me. My husband, Hayden has been my rock. He has cheered me on and supported me in every aspect of life.
From the gracious farmers who took time out of their busy day to teach me valuable skills, that blossomed into a deep love and appreciation for agriculture. To my very first customers who believed in me and have supported this crazy adventure. And all of the friends and relationships I have made along the way that encouraged me to ‘just keep going!’.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://milkmaidskincare.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkmaidskincare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milkmaidskincare
