Amidst all obstacles, LGBT-owned business, TOA Waters, opened this fall, offering a unique line of premium bubble baths for the rugged individual. The company will operate virtually, providing nourishing, “brawny scented” bubble baths.
This year has been filled with uncertainty and challenges, especially for LGBT-owned small businesses. The National unemployment rate is currently 8.4%, illustrating how this pandemic has placed an unexpected hardship on so many people and organizations, including start-ups. However, those obstacles did not stop Folgar from pursuing his dreams.
“Coming from a family of immigrants, I always wanted to achieve the American dream of owning my own business and I was not going to let anything get in my way, including a pandemic,” said Folgar. “I had this idea of offering premium bubble bath products, with a focus on rugged scents. So many companies out there only focused on products that smell like a bouquet of flowers. I wanted to offer something different. Something unique that people would love”.
Getting to the point of virtually opening his doors was no easy task. Suppliers were short in stock, banks were hesitant to offer start-ups lines of credit, and there were massive delays in shipping. Plus, there was his day job.
“Protecting wildlife and our natural and cultural resources is so important to me. Even with the start of this company, I still plan on doing my part to protect our environment”.
Conservationist by day, “soapatier” by night. With over a decade of experience, Mr. Folgar currently serves as the Director of Communications for Bat Conservation International, an organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide. He received a B.S. in Marketing from Rutgers University and earned an MBA from Montclair State University.
TOA Waters, named after the mightiest river in Cuba to honor his heritage, began accepting orders this Fall, just in time for the holiday season. Their bubble bath products are enriched with whole milk, botanical extracts, b-vitamins, and much more. And their scents are completely unique.
“Think earthy, natural, and exotic scents. Fragrances such as cedarwood, sage, smoked tobacco, and mahogany coconut are incorporated in our products,” said Folgar. “Our bubble baths will make you feel like you are hiking through a forest or swimming in the Red Sea – all in the comfort of your tub”.
For more information, visit TOAwaters.com or facebook.com/TOAwaters.