TU·ET·AL 2023 IN AETURNUM

Before we dive in, I would like to share a diptych of the December 26 Full Moon in Cancer, captured from our home in The Catskills. 

2023 was momentous for us.

When the year started, we had no idea what was to come. It wasn't until early May that the groundwork for what became TU·ET·AL was set into motion. That's not to say our little soap company hasn't been years in the making; in many ways, it feels as if the last decade has been building to this.

 In our home, we've been crafting our own beauty and cleaning products since we began having an awareness of the toxicity contained within many common brands and the endless stream of plastic waste that came along with it. Soap was always the missing piece. Once the magic of saponification was unlocked, we understood that we were ready to share our natural creations with the world. With that, TU·ET·AL was birthed.

 For those not too familiar with Latin (to be honest, we're still figuring it out), "tu et al" translates to "you and others." This name came from the idea that a bar of soap is often a purchase for yourself but one which you share with all who come into your home. We believe the "others" also includes Mother Earth, which is why our soap and practices are friendly to the environment. "In aeternum" simply means forever. Some have asked about the phrase "magnam saponem in aeternum" which lives on the bottom of our boxes- it's simply "great soap forever" which is what we strive to create.

As we step into MMXXIV, we do so with immense gratitude. Seriously.

The reality is, we chose to build TU·ET·AL for our family. We wanted a business that our children could be a part of. It's not always easy (far from it actually) with scooters rolling around the workshop and little voices keeping us away from the time we've set aside for marketing. But we are immensely grateful to have the opportunity to share this vision with our boys, and maybe one day they'll be crafting these products alongside us if they choose to.

And we are deeply grateful for everyone who has invited our soap into their homes. There was a moment over Christmas where the feeling of joy and awe came over me as I realized that hundreds of bars of our handcrafted soap were being shared around the country. It fills my heart with unmatched warmth when I step into a friend's home and see our candle burning and our soaps being shared.

We wish all of you a prosperous New Year full of light and love, holding that vibration deeply and sharing it with all who you encounter.

Thank you,

The Kanbergs