VegFest Preview going on and on about the products.” Hannah, Hein’s 16-year-old daughter, shares that same enthusiasm. She makes product, too, and sews all the dryer sachets, which are one of The Old White House’s most popular items. “We had to wake up at 5 or 5:30 in the morning, so she was exhausted,” Hein says of a recent drive home from the market. “And she just says, that place makes me so happy. And it’s so true. That’s how we feel about going down there.” Hein’s other children, who don’t live at home, help from afar or when they’re in town. Danielle, 28, lives in Charleston, S.C., and sells The Old White House line at shows where she exhibits her own selection of natural, vegan men’s shaving products. Cameron, 23, a fisheries and wildlife major at Michigan State University, helps with production and sometimes works a booth. And John, 26, who graduated from University of Michigan with a degree in environmental science and now lives in New York, helps with marketing. He’s also the one who convinced Hein to adopt a vegetarian diet three years ago. John gave up meat in high school what’s in because of a school project and lata name? er introduced Hein to movies like ”Forks Over Knives,” “Food, Inc.” When Theresa Hein and “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.” started her line of natural cleaning “It was just an awakening of, products, she and we need to take better care of ourher family lived in selves,” she says. “We already took an old white house. good care of ourselves, I thought, “The idea of the old until you start doing that, and white house,” she then you say, OK, there’s more we says, “is that it repcan do. And then it’s always one resents a simpler more step, what can we do, what time when products were made without can we do.” including harsh Even though the rest of her famchemicals — an old ily still eats animal products, Hein white house filled sticks to her now-vegan diet bewith a family using cause she believes it’s the best thing what they had on for her health. “This is more medihand to create cine for me than taking medicine I items they used evdon’t want to take,” she says. “I just eryday, along with simple repurposed know I can be a better mom to my items to decorate kids and a better human being by their home.” taking care of myself.” Hein, 54, says she’s noticed customers her age are seeking natural approaches to wellness, too. “Many tell of people they know who have become ill and no longer want chemicals in their home cleaners,” she says. “I feel fortunate to have found a healthier lifestyle before illness forced me to do that. Being a vegan can be a challenge sometimes, but it is a challenge I embrace.” This April, Hein will exhibit her products at VegFest to a crowd that shares her sentiments about plant-based eating. She was invited by a festival representative who found The Old White House at the Detroit market. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us,” she says of Michigan’s largest veg-friendly celebration. “Everybody who’s coming already understands why you need to use (our products). When you do a show like VegFest, everybody walking in the door is looking for something healthy.” In addition to VegFest and Saturdays at Eastern Market, Hein will be at Fulton Street Artisans’ Market on Sundays starting
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Made with lavender essential oil, organic lavender buds and other Earth-friendly ingredients, The Old White House products are an alternative to home cleaners with chemicals.
in June and the Farmers’ Market at the Capitol one Thursday each month in July, August and September. She’ll also travel up north to do a trunk show with her jewelry at Little Luxuries of Mackinac Island, and to Grand Ledge for the Island Art Fair. Hein’s hope is to one day hire people to help with production and sell products at other markets around the state. “We can’t be everywhere, and we’re missing the west side of the state by going to Detroit all the time,” she says. She also would like to get The Old White House into more retail stores; right now, the products are in Foods for Living in East Lansing, Old Town General Store in Lansing and a few places out of state. When it comes to future employees, Hein says her goal is to hire single and stay-at-home moms so they feel empowered by bringing an income into their home. That’s what The Old White House did for her. “It’s really more than I’ve ever contributed, besides raising amazing people, which is my number one goal. I love being a mom,” she says. “But I’ve always just done part-time work here and there, and this has already helped me to bring more into the house than I’ve ever brought in. It’s a very rewarding feeling to know I’m also contributing in that way.” p — By Planted staff