A Niles woman is getting help growing her business selling all natural bath and body care products thanks to the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber’s recent HYPE competition.

HYPE is the chamber’s Shark Tank-like event where new entrepreneurs pitch their companies to compete for cash support, and Alexandra Ranft of Bare Naked Salts and Soaps is this year’s first place winner. She tells us she got the idea for her business about three years ago when her infant son developed a skin condition and she took a look at the baby products she was using on him.

“They were full of chemicals,” Ranft said. “And so when I switched and started making my own bar soap, it had cleared up.”

So, Ranft got to work.

“I had an abundance of soap and I was like, you know what? I want to make some soap for mom to relax with. And so I went to my first show and it seemed like there was more people that really wanted more all natural products.”

Now Alexandra sells her soaps and body wash products via her website and at 12 Southwest Michigan retailers. And she’s watching her business grow.

“Oh, it’s been going great. Every time I have a market, it seems to be going better and better. I’m trying to build more on my website and Facebook and Instagram and things to get more recognition that way.”

As the first place HYPE winner, Alexandra won $15,000 to invest in her business. She plans to use it to purchase better equipment while expanding her digital marketing efforts.

Alexandra also competed at HYPE last year and came in seventh. She tells us that was dispiriting, but the chamber urged her to come back this year and with more experience under her belt, she wowed the judges.

Alexandra advises others who are thinking about starting a business to believe in themselves. She tells us, “If you have a passion, go for it.”