It's one thing to eat, sleep and breathe your business. It's quite another thing to live with your business day in and day out. Just ask LMB participants Kathleen and Don Houghton, owners of Pioneer Natural Soap Company. They will be the first ones to admit that after almost 6 years, they were ready to get their house back.

The couple worked all summer on their new retail and manufacturing facility located at 1124 Main Street, Suite B in Springfield. After fruitlessly searching for the perfect location in the Eugene and Springfield area spring of 2005, they found their current location quite on accident. "We were driving by on our way to class, and I noticed it was for lease," explains Kathleen. "I wasn't sure if we should look at it, but after I seen it, I knew it was perfect."

The location, next to the Springfield Spas has been totally transformed by the couple, who have been selling at the Saturday Market since 2000. They have painted, tiled and customized the space to create a unique atmosphere for their business. Most people will only see the retail space, which features an array of unique displays, a fun water fountain, and a large mural painted by Don himself. But the manufacturing area, which takes up most of the location, is probably the couple's favorite part of the store. "I can't believe all of this stuff was in our house!" Laughs Don.

Pioneer Natural Soap Company specializes in products that are hard to find for special customers. They offer a selection of natural unscented and special skin care products. They held a Grand Opening for their retail store on September 17, 2005.

Call Dan and Kathleen Houghton at 541-747-4866