Molly Lee started making soap as a creative escape—just a curious experiment with oils and lye. Years later, her passion for soapmaking gave birth to Optimistic Soap, a small business rooted in joy, artistry, and paying it forward. Molly brings her love of beauty and a generous spirit to everything she makes. What started as an expensive hobby became an outlet for expression, activism, and delight. “Soap is magic. You turn melted oils and lye water into a beautiful, nourishing solid. It’s chemistry, but it feels like alchemy, like magic!” – Molly Lee, Founder What You’ll Find: Optimistic Soap bars are made from scratch, with traditional cold-process methods and a blend of high-quality, sustainably sourced oils and butters. The soaps are known for their bold colors, playful names, and signature craggy tops. Each bar is... Palm-oil free and made with eco-conscious ingredients and packaging. Poured, cut, and wrapped by hand in Portland. Designed to delight the senses (and make you smile). Shop If You Love... Bold colors, irreverent labels, soap that makes a difference and smells amazing. Ideal for gifting, treating yourself, and supporting a woman-owned local business with a strong point of view.
From their studio
Goods by Optimistic Soap.
Why we love them
“Molly doesn’t just make soap—she uses her platform to fuel change. A portion of every bar sold goes toward the causes that matter, including LGBTQ+ rights, abortion access, and pro-democracy initiatives. Her Instagram following is fiercely loyal because her voice is real, her products are thoughtful, and her reels are hilarious, topical and inspirational. She is unapologetically optimistic. She likes to say that she’s changing the world one bar of soap at a time.”
– Team Forage