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Press Room

As SunFeather enters our 29th year, we pause to reflect on our past projects and successes, while at the same time looking with wonder and excitement to our promising future.

Along our journey we have met people from all walks of life, who have become trusted friends and working partners. Come, join the SunFeather experience and be as we are, forever changed.

SunFeather Natural Soap Company's Media Kit.

If you would like to have a hard copy of our Media Kit mailed to you, please contact Sandy Maine or by phone at 315-265-3648 ext. 24.

For Immediate Release:

SunFeather Foundation Sponsors Youth Business Contest

June 2008 - The SunFeather Foundation is pleased to announce the First Annual - Start Your Own Business Contest at the Parishville - Hopkinton Central School.

The student with the winning application (submission deadline is June 1) will receive up to $1,000 in start up funds, a new lap top with business software, and mentoring from local business people.

In support of the business contest, the Grasse River Players will be performing at the Parishville - Hopkinton Central School on Saturday, June 21st, at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Busines Contest Grant Program.

This is a musical presentation that the entire family can enjoy. The musical revue troupe, The Grasse River Players, will present "Inside the Rainbow - Music of Harold Arlen". It is fitting that the music of Harold Arlen be part of the contest fundraising because he, as a high school student in Buffalo, NY, started his own band. With his gift of music, he went on to play the piano for The Buffalodians - a small orchestra that made it to NYC. Harold Arlen is a beloved American composer of Broadway and film scores. He wrote the music for the movie "The Wizard of Oz", the Marx brothers' comedies, and movies starring Fred Astaire, Lena Horne, Judy Garland, and many other movie legends. Songs that may ring a tune in your head are "Stormy Weather", "The Man that Got Away", "I've Got the World on a String", and "That Old Black Magic".

The "Inside the Rainbow" presentation includes Barbara Burdick, Victor Caamano, and Elaine Kuracina. Special guest stars include Sara Simon (Parishville - Hopkinton's own musician) and Keith Shult. Accompanists are Debbie Nikkari on piano and David Katz on bass. In addition to the singing and acting entertainment, original film clips featuring movie music highlights will be shown.

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Keynote Speaker Invites Soap Makers to Tour SunFeather

May 2008 - Sandy Maine, Founder and Owner of SunFeather Natural Soap Company and the apparant inspiration to multitudes of handcrafted soap makers, was the keynote speaker at this year's Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild convention held in Burlington, VT. Her talk focused on marketing and ecomomic development trends influencing the handcrafted soap industry.

Afterwards, 75 of the convention attendees made the pilgrimage to the SunFeather factory to view the facilities. Ms. Maine lead them on a guided tour through her infamous soap factory, the highlight of which was a soap making demostration.

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SunFeather Signs The Compact for Safe Cosmetics

January 2008 - Sandy Maine, Founder and Owner of SunFeather Natural Soap Company, has signed The Compact for Safe Cosmetics. This group is dedicated to protecting the health of consumers by requiring the health and beauty industry to find safer alternatives to ingredients that are linked to health issues like cancer and birth defects. By signing this compact, SunFeather is reaffirming its committment to providing its customers with healthful bath and beauty products.

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Senator Joe Griffo visits SunFeather

November 15, 2007 - Sandy Maine and the SunFeather employees were pleased to receive a visit to the SunFeather facilities from New York State Senator Joe Griffo. He and his staff were treated to a factory tour and soapmaking demonstration. We welcome the Senator to come back and visit us again soon. Download the article from the Watertown Daily Times Here. SunFeather's Vice President, Cathy Whalen has included an image of the Senator and Sandy Maine in SunFeather's Factory Outlet Store.

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Make Mine a Million

November 2007 - Sandy Maine was chosen as one of twenty finalists from a pool of 750 applicants to compete in the Make Mine a Million Women in Business Contest sponsored by American Express, Jet Blue, Marriot Hotels, AGE, and www.makemineamillion.org. After traveling to NYC last month Sandy and 19 other semifinalists gave a 3 minute pitch about their businesses to an audience of over 700 people and 4 judges. There were many business help rewards from Make Mine a Million for all the semifinalists of which Sandy was one. Make Mine A Million is a non-profit organization devoted to encourageing women business owners to grow their company's to a million dollars a year in revenues and beyond. It was founded by Nell Merino when she discovered that only 5% of the thousands of women owned businesses in the USA collect revenues of over million dollars each year. Make Mine a Million was founded on the premise that for true political and economic equality it is imperative that women gain the vision AND RESOURCES needed to grow their businesses to more influential levels. Make Mine A Million sponsors two competitions each year. For more information visit their web site at www.countmein.org or www.makemineamillion.org.

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SunFeather Foundation Awards its First Grant

August 2007 - The SunFeather Foundation has awarded its first micro-enterprise grant to artist Paula Towne of Gouverneur, New York.

The $1,295 will be used to further establish & expand an ‘in home’ art school called The Golden Rule Art School & Studio. Group art lessons will be given once a week for $15, materials included. Towne will also offer live-in apprenticeships to promising artists of any kind. If you would like to learn more about art lessons or The Golden Rule Art School & Studio call Towne at 315-287-0892.

The SunFeather Foundation will be awarding one or two more micro-enterprise grants before the end of the year. Grants are awarded on the basis of need, low start-up capital required, viability of the idea, & willingness of the applicant to devote time & effort to the success of the project. The foundation also provides free business mentoring to aspiring business people, and is supported by donations from SunFeather Natural Soap Company & its vendors, customers & the community.

If you would like to submit an application for a micro-enterprise grant, or make a donation, call Sandy Maine at 265-3648, ext. 24.

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SunFeather Appoints new Vice President

August 2007 - Sandy Maine, CEO of SunFeather Natural Soap Company, announced this week that SunFeather VP of Graphic Design and IT Management, Cathy Whalen, has been appointed to position of company Vice President. Her duties will include assisting Ms. Maine with oversight of all factory operations and employees as well as future company goals and development. Cathy Whalen has been employed by SunFeather Soap Company since 1999 in the role of graphic design, IT management and recently e commerce development. She makes her home in Colton, New York with her daughter Chelsea.

When asked about her new role at SunFeather Ms. Whalen said, “I am truly honored to accept this position. SunFeather’s commitment to the creation of quality products as well as to the welfare of its workers, and its involvement in social and environmental causes makes it a great place to come to work everyday. I am looking forward to my new role in the company.”

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SunFeather Honored with Excellence Award

May 11, 2007 - At an awards luncheon held on May 11, 2007 the United States Small Business Administration of Central New York awarded SunFeather Natural Soap Company the 9th Annual Small Business of Central New York Excellence Award.

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SunFeather Foundation Established

March 2007 - The SunFeather Foundation has been established to offer micro-business loans to economically & educationally challenged entrepreneurs. The Foundation is funded by private contributions from SunFeather customers & SunFeather Natural Soap Company, Inc.. Funds & services are administered by a non-profit board. All micro-loan recipients receive business guidance from SunFeather management & employees.

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New ManCare Line - Kind Bodycare for Men!

January 2007 - SunFeather Natural Soap Company, renowned for the production of handcrafted all natural soaps and companion bath and beauty products, introdues its ManCare Line of soaps and kind bodycare products created just for men. The olive oil based soaps contain the natural ingredients you've come to expect from SunFeather, with the addition of wild plant trimmings such as cedar and juniper from the mountains and wildlands of the Western United States. These plant trimmings are harvested sustainably by the California-based company, Juniper Ridge.

"We have had very successful scents for men in the past and our own regionally-inspired Adirondack Balsam soaps, candles, and lotions have become top-sellers for the holidays and for men who appreciate natural soaps and skincare year-round," notes SunFeather Founder and CEO, Sandy Maine. "The new ManCare line of products will provide our customers with a variety of manly scents, all infused with natural plant oils and trimmings from highly aromatic wildland plants," says Maine, adding, "We are certain the line will be well received in both the wholesale and retail markets because the scents, colors, and textures are so compelling."

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A new website - SunFeather.com - is Launched

February 2007 - Sandy Maine announced in the February edition of SunFeather's eZine, Creative Alchemy, that www.sunfeather.com is now live.

"I’m so excited to announce that our very new web site is now up and ready to serve you better than ever!

Many thanks to the people that helped make this happen…Cathy Whalen, SunFeather’s E-Commerce Maven…and all the great folks at Solid Cactus…our new technical partners in e-commerce." writes Sandy.

The website features a new look and new features to better service SunFeather's customers.

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SunFeather introduces a new line - Wett Giggles^R

August 2006 - Wett Giggles^R are a fun new way to encourage good hygiene for children. Each one is a bath tub shaped bar of fun glycerin soap with a cute nailbrush toy embedded within! "Children LOVE Wett Giggles^R!" says Sandy Maine, SunFeather CEO.

Sunfeather’s Amy Dougan developed these soaps with Karen St. Clair, the owner of Wett Giggles^R and www.wettgiggles.com.

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SunFeather Natural Soap Presented to Oprah Winfrey for her 50th Birthday

January 29, 2004 - Oprah Winfrey celebrated her 50th birthday live on television and a local North Country company is honored to have been part of the festivities. Download the complete press release Here.

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SunFeather Natural Soap Company Joins Renewable Energy Program

January 2004 - SunFeather Natural Soap Company, a leader in the production of all natural, handmade soap, shampoo bars, bug repellents and other personal care products, is extending its commitment to the environment one step further by enroling in the Sterling Green^TM Program to help in the development, procurement and delivery of renewable energy. Download the complete press release Here.