Bearfoot in Blue Ridge Soap Company wins 2026 Best of Tennessee Award

Bearfoot in Blue Ridge Soap Company, a Copperhill, Tennessee, bath and body brand founded by Michelle Bolhuis, has been named a 2026 Best of Tennessee Award winner. The recognition spotlights the small business’s handmade products, community giving and signature Shower Frosting® as it continues to grow locally and online.

Why it matters: - The award gives Bearfoot in Blue Ridge Soap Company a regional stamp of approval as a small business built around handmade personal care products. - The recognition may help deepen customer trust as the company expands its seasonal scents and product line. - The honor also highlights a local business model that combines retail, family-friendly experiences and charitable giving.

What happened: - Bearfoot in Blue Ridge Soap Company was named a winner of the 2026 Best of Tennessee Award. - The company operates from a shop on Ocoee Street in Copperhill, Tennessee. - Founder Michelle Bolhuis leads the family-run business. - The company makes small-batch bath and body products. - The business said customers can visit the Copperhill shop or explore the full collection online.

The details: - Bearfoot is best known for its Shower Frosting®, a whipped 3-in-1 scrub that softens and smooths skin while hydrating. - Shower Frosting® is designed to replace the need for a separate lotion. - The product has been carried in Southern Living Stores. - Each Bearfoot scent is identified by a number with personal meaning. - The numbers honor people close to Bolhuis and are based largely on their birthdays. - The company’s motto is “Life is short…use the good soap!” - Bearfoot says its second signature saying is “Where Georgia meets Tennessee…and where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.” - The Copperhill shop includes the Cub Corner, where children can create art while families browse. - Bearfoot donates at least 1% of every purchase to local charities and organizations in need.

Between the lines: - The award reinforces the company’s identity as a craft-driven brand with a personal story behind each product. - The emphasis on scent numbers, family ties and a charitable pledge helps position Bearfoot as more than a soap maker. - The Southern Living Stores placement suggests the brand has already reached beyond its local market.

What's next: - Bearfoot plans to keep developing new seasonal scents and creative products for its growing customer base. - The Copperhill shop remains a key part of the company’s retail presence. - The company’s online store is expected to stay central to future sales growth.

The bottom line: - The 2026 Best of Tennessee Award puts a spotlight on a small Tennessee brand that blends handmade products, local roots and community giving.