How One Local Business Used The Shutdown To Reinvent Themselves

  • Friday, June 19, 2020
Chattanooga Skincare Company and Spa, Good Fortune Soap closed their showroom and spa in mid-March due to COVID-19 health recommendations. 

Owner Jennifer Strain took the unfortunate set of circumstances and turned it into an opportunity to renovate Good Fortune’s showroom, re-brand their entire product line, and create new policies to cope with the pandemic. 

The store’s staff worked hard to remodel the store themselves by adding new shelving and fresh paint inside.
They also developed a new line of scents to help people relax, refresh and restore during this time. The graphic design team worked to re-brand all of the store’s products for a fresh new look. 

“Keeping busy and focusing on positive growth was very helpful for me and my staff to not panic about the unforeseen future,” said Ms. Strain. 

Ms. Strain did receive a PPP loan and put the money to use by hiring additional staffing. While re-branding, she added an additional graphic designer, marketing strategist and a strategic director to help guide Good Fortune’s new future.

Ms. Strain worked on new policies to keep staff and customers safe once the store reopened. Good Fortune had a soft opening on May 15 and introduced new sanitation policies to customers.

“We are taking this opportunity to reinvent ourselves and we are looking for every ounce of positive change we can find in these uncertain times,” said Ms. Strain.  “We are reevaluating everything we do, and focusing on both the how and the why. We want our WHY to be as important as the WHAT we are selling.”

Good Fortune has partnered with the Chattanooga Food Bank for years. Ms. Strain said that though sales may be down, the store is not slowing down their giving. On top of donating a meal for every skincare product sold, Good Fortune also donated a meal for every product sold in-store and online. The store was also able to donate over 150 meals during a virtual open house.

“Our name Good Fortune has always been about paying it forward, and spreading good fortune. Caring for our marginalized communities and neighbors in need is a huge blessing,” said Ms. Strain. "Good Fortune Soap will continue to use this uncertain time to grow the business and bring customers joy through new, safe policies."
Business
Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellows Class Of 2025 Honored
  • 6/26/2025

The Chattanooga Bar Foundation Fellows held its annual meeting to honor the Fellows Class of 2025. Selected are: Cameron S. Hill, Sr., focuses on construction, employment, ERISA and non-ERISA ... more

All TN Counties Report Unemployment Rates Of 5% Or Below
All TN Counties Report Unemployment Rates Of 5% Or Below
  • 6/26/2025

Every Tennessee county recorded an unemployment rate of 5 percent or less in May, the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced today. Ninety-four of the state’s ... more

Metro Dalton Unemployment Rate Holds Steady In May
  • 6/26/2025

The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the two-county Dalton Metropolitan Statistical Area recorded an unemployment rate of 3.2% in May, unchanged from the previous month. A ... more