Shreveport Shines Bright with Local Entrepreneur’s Clean Slate Botanicals
As the holiday season quickly approaches — with Christmas just around the corner — there’s no better time to think about shopping local. One shining star in the Shreveport-Bossier area is the talented entrepreneur Ben Whalen, who is making waves with his line of intentional, clean skincare products at Clean Slate Botanicals.
A Journey from Corporate America to Clean Beauty
Ben, a proud Shreveport native and graduate of Caddo Magnet High School, started his entrepreneurial journey in 2017 after finding himself unexpectedly laid off from his corporate job in Chicago. It was a tough moment, but as Ben puts it, “God had other plans.” After earning his degree from Louisiana Tech in 2010, he had spent seven years climbing the corporate ladder, all while becoming increasingly interested in natural products.
Ben began exploring natural foods, dietary changes, and of course, skincare routines. “I started to be a little more intentional about those things,” he recalls. That curiosity led him to tap into his creative side, and what started as a hobby transformed into a burning desire to boost his community with quality products. Thus, Ben’s Body Basics was born. However, he rebranded to Clean Slate Botanicals in 2022 to better reflect his expanded line of offerings.
Proudly Local, Passionately Sustainable
Over the years, Ben has made a name for himself in the community. He originally launched with body butter, and as the pandemic hit, he pivoted his focus to producing hand sanitizer and mask sanitizers. Today, he offers eco-safe candles, wearable fragrances, and so much more!
Ben loves sharing stories with his customers, reminiscing on the different seasons of his business. “People would say, ‘Oh, I remember when you did the body butters’ or ‘I remember whenever you did the hand sanitizer.’” His knack for adapting during changing times even earned him the title of “the pivot master.”
New Beginnings in a Permanent Space
After five seasons of selling his products at pop-up shops and local markets, Ben took a leap of faith by opening his first storefront at the Andress Artist and Entrepreneur building in September 2022. “That was our first retail space inside of an art gallery,” he explains. However, in September 2023, Ben received a fantastic opportunity to place a permanent pop-up at The Uptown Shopping Center in the heart of South Highlands.
This new shop means even more to Ben, especially during the holiday season when foot traffic increases. “It gave us a great opportunity to see what it would be like over here during the holidays,” he shares.
Where Magic Happens
One of the most distinct features of Clean Slate Botanicals is its unique shopping experience. Customers can not only browse the shelves filled with quality candles and fragrances but also witness the production process firsthand. “You actually can see where the magic happens,” Ben highlights, as customers watch as their candles are poured and even the pottery vessels being created.
In addition to the variety of products available, Ben has introduced a private candle pouring experience for groups. “This is an area that’s directly in our wheelhouse,” Ben says, encouraging creative gatherings for up to 20 people to make their custom candles.
Support Local This Holiday Season
With such a fantastic selection of products that provide sustainable options, this makes Clean Slate Botanicals a great shopping stop this holiday season. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift or just want to indulge in something special for yourself, visiting Ben’s store could be the perfect way to check off some holiday shopping from your list while supporting a local entrepreneur.
So this Christmas, don’t forget to shop local! You can find Clean Slate Botanicals at 4832 Line Ave, Shreveport, and for more information about their products and candle-making experiences, visit their website. Happy holidays!
