Our Story

From Marine to Half-a-Chemist to Soap Maker

It started as a joke.

In 2020, while working as a Coatings Manager in the oil industry, I googled "saponification" to understand the chemistry behind a process I was seeing. My co-worker looked over and joked, "You should start a soap company."

Five years later, here we are - proving that sometimes the best businesses start with a laugh and a Google search.

Military Precision Meets Chemistry Expertise

I'm Ray Thomas, a decorated Marine Corps infantry rifleman who served three combat deployments totaling 2.5 years in Iraq (2002-2006). After the Corps, I discovered my passion for chemistry while building an entire nickel plating facility from the ground up - with zero experience. Just me and my Marine boss figuring shit out as we went.

I'm not a chemist - I'm a "half-a-chemist." But that same problem-solving mentality that got us through combat and industrial chemistry is precisely how I approach soap making: test, learn, improve, repeat.

From Detergent to Real Soap

Like most people, I thought I suffered from dry skin my entire life. Little did I know I was showering in detergent. One day, I fell victim to a competitor's marketing ad about real soap vs. commercial detergent bars. I tried it and was hooked.

That "holy shit" moment changed everything. I realized I'd been missing out on something great my entire life - and I wanted to create that same revelation for others.

Authentic Prohibition Culture

My fascination with prohibition-era culture runs deep - from watching The Sopranos during my 2005 Iraq deployment to appreciating the respect, food, music, and those legendary gangster suits (which led me to work at Bachrach after the military). This isn't a costume party theme - it's genuine appreciation for an era that valued craftsmanship and authenticity.

When I create cocktail-inspired soaps, I don't just buy generic fragrance oils. I go to actual bars, order the real cocktails, smell them, taste them, take notes, and figure out how to recreate that experience in soap form. Then I match both the scent AND color to the actual drink.

Supporting Our Brothers and Sisters

In 2019, I had the honor of attending a reunion of my old unit, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. It was a powerful opportunity to reconnect with old comrades and share memories that only we could understand.

What made the event even more meaningful was meeting the team from Reuniting After War (RAW) - an organization dedicated to supporting veterans in countless ways. Their commitment to helping veterans reconnect and heal was inspiring, and I knew I wanted to be part of their mission.

That's why I created our Reuniting After War Camo Collection - a special soap line that honors their work while generating funds to support veteran programs. It's my way of giving back to the community that gave me everything.

Marine-Tested, Family-Approved, Customer-Loved

Every product gets tested on me first (hard to sell beard care without this big beard), then on my family. My partner in crime? None other than "Ma Barker" herself - my mom, who runs our Mama Prohibition's Soap Collection and crafts all our beard care and body products. When you find someone who shares your standards and fits the family business theme, you don't let them go.

We lead with premium ingredients that most companies hide at the end of their ingredient lists. Our first ingredient is Organic Golden Jojoba Oil - the most expensive, highest-quality oil available. Most companies use it as ingredient #8 so they can claim "contains jojoba oil." We lead with it because premium doesn't have to be expensive.

Every Customer Matters

I hate mass-market corporate companies. There's no face to the name, they don't know their customers, and they don't appreciate every sale. Here, you're not just another order number.

People work hard for their money, and I want them to get a good product for their money. My goal is simple: I want every customer to feel like they've been missing out on something great their entire life.

From industrial chemistry to bathroom chemistry - welcome to Prohibition Soap.