Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Campbell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Sometimes, purpose finds you in the middle of pain. My journey to creating Toiletry and Company, Inc. began during one of the most difficult seasons of my life.
At the time, I was experiencing workplace bullying. It was a very challenging period emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. During that time I took a break from work. During this time people around me tried to support me in the best way they knew how. Many asked if I needed help with food. Others asked if I needed help paying my mortgage or my car payment.
Those were thoughtful and generous questions. But there was one question that no one ever asked me.
No one ever asked, “Do you need soap?”
No one ever asked, “Do you need toothpaste?”
No one ever asked, “Do you need sanitary napkins?”
And that realization stayed with me.
It made me think about the many needs people have that often go unseen or unspoken. We talk about food insecurity and housing insecurity but rarely do we talk about hygiene insecurity, even though it affects people every single day.
During that difficult season, I remember asking God a very honest question: “Why me?”
And in a still, quiet voice, I felt the answer in my spirit: “Why not you?”
In that moment, I realized something important. I needed to take myself off my own mind and begin thinking about how I could help someone else. My pain had the potential to become someone else’s solution.
That moment shifted everything for me.
I began to think about how many people silently struggle to afford basic hygiene products. These are items people are often embarrassed to ask for, yet they are necessary for health, dignity, and confidence.
From that realization, Toiletry and Company, Inc. was born.
What started as a pain point, providing soap, toothpaste, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products to people in need, quickly grew into a larger mission focused on restoring dignity and confidence in underserved communities.
Today, Toiletry and Company works to ensure that students and families have access to basic hygiene essentials through community outreach and toiletry closets placed in schools, where students can receive the items they need.
We also created youth programs like “Soap Is Dope” for boys and “My First Period Club” for girls, which provide education on hygiene, self-care, and confidence in a supportive environment.
For me, this work is deeply personal. It is about more than distributing products. It is about restoring dignity, building confidence, and reminding people that they matter.
Our mission is built around three simple words: Love, Hope, and Soap.
Love reminds people they are seen.
Hope reminds them that their situation can change.
And soap something so simple can help restore confidence and dignity.
Looking back, what began as one of the hardest seasons of my life became the very thing that led me to my purpose. Sometimes our greatest challenges become the foundation for the work we are called to do.
And sometimes the answer to “Why me?” is simply this: “ Why not you”.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey of building Toiletry and Company, Inc. has been meaningful and rewarding, but it has not always been smooth. Like many grassroots organizations, one of our greatest challenges has been financial sustainability and securing funding specifically for hygiene initiatives.
While there are many grants and resources available for food insecurity, housing, and other social services, funding dedicated solely to hygiene insecurity is much more limited. Early on, we quickly realized that basic hygiene, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and menstrual products is often overlooked in traditional funding categories.
As a result, we had to be creative and persistent. Much of our early work was supported through community donations, volunteers, and small contributions from individuals who believed in the mission. There were moments when we had the vision and the need was clear, but the financial resources were not always readily available.
Another challenge has been raising awareness. Many people do not immediately recognize hygiene as a critical issue connected to health, dignity, and school /work attendance. Helping communities and funders understand that hygiene insecurity is real and that it impacts confidence, education, and well-being has required ongoing education and advocacy.
Despite these challenges, the mission has continued to grow. Each obstacle and commitment to ensuring that students and families have access to the essentials that many people take for granted.
What keeps us moving forward is seeing the impact. When a student can walk into a toiletry closet and leave with the items they need, it restores confidence and dignity. That reminder makes every challenge worth it.
At its core, the work of Toiletry and Company continues to be guided by our belief in Love, Hope, and Soap and the understanding that even the smallest essentials can change someone’s day, and sometimes even their life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
In addition to founding Toiletry and Company, Inc., I serve professionally as a Staff Advisor and a mental health therapist, and both roles have shaped how I approach service and leadership in the community.
Through my work as a Staff Advisor, I have the opportunity to support initiatives that focus on equity, accessibility, and strengthening systems that impact people’s daily lives. As a therapist, I also understand how deeply emotional experiences such as bullying, stress, and lack of support can affect a person’s confidence, mental health, and overall well-being.
These experiences helped shape the mission behind Toiletry and Company.
What I am most proud of is seeing the impact these essentials can have on someone’s life. When a student can walk into a toiletry closet and leave feeling confident and cared for, it reminds me that something as simple as soap can restore dignity.
What sets Toiletry and Company apart is that we don’t just distribute products; we address the human side of the issue. Our work sits at the intersection of community service, mental health awareness, and social impact, ensuring that the needs of the whole person are recognized.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories were spending summers in Birmingham, Alabama. Summers were filled with family, laughter, and the kind of joy that only childhood can bring.
I remember the excitement of birthday celebrations at Shakey’s Pizza and the unforgettable parties at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. Farrell’s was always an experience, with big sundaes, music, and the energy of everyone celebrating together. It made birthdays feel magical and full of life.
Summers off from school meant long carefree days and making memories that have stayed with me throughout my life. Those moments were simple but meaningful.
Looking back, those childhood experiences remind me how important it is for children to feel joy, connection, and a sense of belonging. In many ways, those memories continue to inspire the work I do today, helping to create environments where people feel supported, valued, and hopeful about their future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.toiletryandco.org
- Instagram: Toiletryandco
- Facebook: Toiletry and Company, Inc
