Living Intentionally: An Interview with Lilly Allen of Pipe Creek Soap Company

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Lilly Allen, the founder of Pipe Creek Soap Company, to talk about her journey—from growing up in the country to building a sustainable, off-grid life while running a thriving business.

We talked about slow living, homeschooling, regenerative farming, and what it really takes to balance it all. Her story is one of resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to living intentionally.

Growing Up Between Two Worlds

Q: You grew up in the countryside, but it sounds like your childhood was anything but slow-paced. What was that like?

Lilly: I grew up living in the country. My parents were extremely smart and, back in the 80s, bought two large pieces of land when it was still affordable. They worked hard to pay off their mortgage in just three years by aggressively paying down the interest.

It was a beautiful life—no neighbors, wide open land, nature walks with my brother, and a sense of total freedom. But despite living in the country, we weren’t home much.

We spent so much time in the city, 45 minutes away, that life felt fast-paced and, at times, extremely stressful. There were many days when we’d leave before the sun rose and not return home until it was dark.

As I got older, even weekends were packed with extracurriculars, so I rarely got to fully enjoy the peacefulness of country living.

A Childhood Immersed in the Arts & Culture

Q: Your parents made sure you had a wide range of experiences. How did that shape who you are today?

Lilly: My parents valued education and culture above all else. They worked hard to send me to an expensive private school, and they always looked for ways to expose me to the arts.

I was involved in dance, and by my teens, I had auditioned and been accepted into one of San Antonio’s professional dance groups. We performed at events around town and in parades.

I also ran track and cross-country, took art classes at the McNay Art Museum and the Southwest Arts & Crafts Center (where I first discovered my love for copper while eating daily at their Copper Kitchen), and volunteered at the zoo.

Even in the summers, I wasn’t home much—I took classes at the Botanical Garden, which sparked my love for plants and herbalism.

And if that wasn’t enough, I played second-chair flute in my school’s band!

BUSY was an understatement.

Looking back, there were downsides to being so engaged in extracurriculars, but I’m grateful for those experiences because they shaped me into who I am today.

Now, as a mother, I still prioritize exposing my kids to art and culture—even though we live rurally, we make it a point to take them to art museums, ballets, and botanical gardens.

Choosing a Different Path: Slow Living & Homeschooling

Q: Your upbringing was so fast-paced. What made you decide to slow down?

Lilly: My childhood was wonderful, but it was fast.

Now, I’ve intentionally made different choices for my family.

• We live off-grid and became mortgage-free in our 30s.
• We homeschool our kids to give them a calmer, more focused education that still allows for creativity and cultural exposure.
• I started a business from scratch, despite knowing how competitive the skincare industry is.

There are definitely moments where I think, Who am I to think I can do this? But my parents instilled in me the confidence that I can achieve anything if I set my heart on mastering it.

I’m so grateful for the life they gave me, but I knew I wanted something slower and more intentional—even with the hustle of running a business.

Balancing Business, Family, and Homeschooling

Q: Running a business, homeschooling, managing a farm—how do you juggle it all?

Lilly: My secret sauce is waking up early.

I’ve always been a morning person, but I still have to prioritize a decent bedtime and stick to my goals. Right now, I have my routine down to where I can get 4 to 4.5 hours of work done before my kids wake up. It’s such a productive, powerful way to start the day.

One other thing that really helps is that I set aside one day a week to work completely uninterrupted in our office in the next town over.

This allows me to deep focus on work, make calls, and plan ahead—so that the rest of the week, I can be more present with my kids, homeschool in a peaceful way, and work on product creation.

It honestly feels like a luxury to live this way.

Regenerative Farming & Goat Land Clearing

Q: You also practice regenerative farming—can you tell us more about that?

Lilly: We live in a very dry area of Texas where water is precious. Our county’s lake has almost completely dried up, and rainfall is scarce.

To combat this, we’ve created areas where we redirect rainwater and recycle greywater (from handwashing and showers) to re-green the land. It’s been incredible to see how much more productive and lush certain areas have become!

Оur goats also help with land clearing and wildfire prevention.

• They graze on dry grass and weeds, reducing fire risk.
• Their droppings fertilize the soil naturally.
• Their diet has made them healthier—better coats, stronger immune systems.

It’s a perfect cycle. The goats get a huge benefit from the diverse plants, and in return, the land becomes more fertile and resilient.

Creating a Life of Freedom

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to live more intentionally?

Lilly: Don’t be afraid to take a different path.

We’ve tended to look at the crowd going in one direction and ask ourselves, What would happen if we went the other way?

• Be willing to step outside the norm.
• Partner with nature—there’s so much to learn.
• Be open to possibilities—beautiful things will happen in response.

I hope our story inspires others to go after their dreams—especially if they crave a slower, more intentional way of living.

It’s not always easy, but it’s absolutely possible. 💛

Final Thoughts

Lilly Allen isn’t just running a business—she’s crafting a life that reflects her deepest values.

From homeschooling to regenerative farming to building a thriving skincare company, she proves that a slower, more intentional life isn’t just a dream—it’s achievable.

At Miss Organics, we share that same belief—that what we put on our skin, breathe into our homes, and surround ourselves with should be pure, intentional, and in harmony with nature.

That’s why I loved talking with Lilly—her journey is a beautiful reminder that stepping outside the norm, embracing sustainability, and slowing down can lead to something truly extraordinary.

With love,
Anna
Founder, Miss Organics

Follow Lilly’s journey at Pipe Creek Soap Company and explore her handmade skincare products, crafted with the same love and intentionality we believe in at Miss Organics.