In 1996 Debbie May was working as a registered nurse and unexpectedly gave birth to a premature and disabled daughter. As her family financially struggled, Debbie learned the art of soap making and eventually started a small home-based business named “May Showers”. Her products sold coast-to-coast through retail stores, craft shows, home parties, and fundraisers. The money earned allowed her to pay the extra medical bills, avoid bankruptcy and put food on the table.

In 1998 Debbie was at a craft show and was approached by a woman hand making holiday ornaments. This woman asked Debbie if she was willing to teach her how to make soap. She went on to explain that she needed to learn a good selling craft to supplement her household income because her husband had recently lost his job. Debbie quickly said yes and gave this woman private classes.

It was at that time that Debbie realized that her situation was not unique and many families could use help and extra money to “make ends meet.” Debbie was excited and passionate about helping others and it was this enthusiasm that led Debbie’s mother, Karen, to buy her a used computer. It was this computer that allowed Debbie to take care of the kids during the day and teach online classes (through chat lists and message boards) at night.


In 1999 Wholesale Supplies Plus was established as a way to provide the public with affordable, professional quality soap making, skincare and candle making supplies. Debbie saw a need to provide home-based businesses access to the high-quality materials that the “big guys” use to make retail products. From the start we have highly valued offering high quality products, outstanding service, reasonable pricing and education you can trust.

Over the years customer suggestions and supportive vendors contributed to tremendous growth for the handmade industry. Wholesale Supplies Plus defined their core company values as integrity, accountability, passion, humility, simplicity, results and sustainability and those values became the foundation of future growth.