Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Steindl
Hi Melissa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey started during my pregnancy when I was dealing with a PUPPs rash. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I’ve ever had, and nothing I tried worked. I’ve always been really into natural health—I healed from hypothyroidism naturally years ago—so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I used everything I’d learned from my passion for natural remedies, along with the chemistry, food science, and botany classes I took in college just for fun. Even though I was a graphic design major, I couldn’t resist diving deep into how nature and the body work together.
That’s when I formulated what eventually became my Grounded Tallow Balm. I wasn’t thinking about selling it at the time. I just wanted something that worked for me—something simple, clean, and effective. When I started using it, the results were incredible. It gave me so much relief. Then my midwife, Jaelin Stickels, saw how well it worked for me and began sending other moms my way who were also dealing with skin issues. Time and time again, it helped them too. Jaelin encouraged me to start selling it, and honestly, that’s what pushed me to take this seriously and turn it into a business.
From the beginning, everything I’ve done has been rooted in research. I’m meticulous about every ingredient I use because I believe every single one should serve a purpose and truly nourish the skin. I don’t just throw things together—I dig deep to understand why something works and how it can benefit the people using it. That’s something I’ve carried through as Our Simple Things has grown.
What started with one balm has turned into something much bigger, but my mission is the same. I want to help people feel good in their skin using products that are clean, effective, and aligned with how nature intended us to heal. For me, it’s about more than just the products—it’s about living simply, trusting the natural process, and sharing that with others in a way that feels authentic and real.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been a smooth road—it’s been a lot of learning and adjusting along the way. One of the biggest challenges has been simply getting my name out there. There are a lot of people making tallow balms, but most of them use tallow and essential oils. What sets mine apart is that I don’t use essential oils at all. Instead, I work with resins and botanicals that go through a very long, slow steeping process to draw out their full benefits. The cleanup from that process is a huge pain—it’s sticky, messy, and time-consuming—but the end result is absolutely worth it.
Even though my balm is different, it can be hard to stand out in such a crowded market, especially with a low marketing budget. Most of my growth has been through word of mouth and personal recommendations, which I’m so grateful for, but it takes time to build that momentum.
Another big challenge is balancing everything. I’m not just running Our Simple Things—I’m also a homeschooling mom, and I have a web and design business too. There’s only so much time in a day, and trying to give each part of my life the attention it deserves is always a balancing act. Some days, it feels impossible to get it all done, but I remind myself why I’m doing this. I believe in the products I create and the impact they can have, and that keeps me motivated, even when the road is bumpy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Our Simple Things LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our Simple Things is all about creating natural, effective, and thoughtfully crafted skincare products that genuinely work. The cornerstone of my business is my Grounded Tallow Balm, but I’ve since expanded to offer a range of products, each created with the same care and intention. Whether you’re dealing with a specific skin issue or just want something simple and nourishing, my products are designed to meet those needs.
What sets my business apart is the process and the heart that goes into every single detail. Unlike most tallow balms, mine don’t contain essential oils. Instead, I use resins and botanicals that go through a long, slow steeping process to pull out their full therapeutic benefits. It’s messy, it’s time-consuming, and the cleanup is no joke, but the end result is worth it. Every ingredient is chosen with a purpose, and I never cut corners.
Our Simple Things is truly a one-family operation. While I do most of the work myself—product formulation, production, label design, applying labels, building and maintaining my website, running social media, customer service—my wonderful husband is always there to help. He’s especially invaluable when it comes to local markets, math for formulations (thank God for him!), and even helping with the dreaded cleanup. I couldn’t do this without him, and I love that it’s something we’re building together as a family.
I sell online and offer local pickup for those nearby, making it easy for customers to access what they need. And while I’ve grown so much since starting, I’m always working on new ideas and expanding my offerings to better serve my community.
What I’m most proud of is staying true to my values as the business has grown. In a world full of mass-produced products and flashy marketing, I’ve stayed focused on simplicity, authenticity, and creating things that genuinely help people. The feedback I get—like a mom telling me how much my balm helped her baby’s eczema, or someone saying they’ve finally found something that works for their sensitive skin—is what keeps me going.
At the heart of it all, Our Simple Things is about more than skincare. It’s about embracing simplicity, trusting nature, and creating products that you can feel good about using. My family and I pour everything we have into this business, and we hope that shows in everything we make.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about this area is the sheer number of people I have the opportunity to connect with. Being based in a big city with surrounding communities like Conroe, The Woodlands, Cypress, and Houston gives me access to so many different markets and people who are excited to support small businesses. I really enjoy meeting customers face-to-face at markets—it’s such a great way to share my story and build relationships.
At the same time, the size of the city and the number of people here can also make it challenging. There’s a lot of competition, especially when it comes to natural products like tallow balms, and getting my name out there has been one of the toughest parts of running the business. Markets are super helpful, but I can’t do one every weekend—it’s a lot of work, especially with everything else I have on my plate.
I’d love to eventually see my products in local shops and businesses to reach even more people. That’s a big goal of mine, but it’s been tricky since many places already have someone selling tallow-based products. What keeps me motivated, though, is knowing how unique my formulations are, especially since I don’t use essential oils and take the extra steps to steep resins and botanicals. I know there’s a place for what I offer—I just have to keep working to find the right opportunities.
Pricing:
- 2oz. Tallow Balms range from $22-26
- 1 oz. Tallow Salves are $15
- Face Care (mask and oil) range from $20-22
- Beard Care Kit is $30
- Lip Balms range from $5-6
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oursimplethings.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursimplethingsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oursimplethings
Image Credits
all images taken by me
