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Business & Tech

Who is the Soap Guy? And why does he call his soap "Hope"?

This interview with Bill McGeehan, a popular downtown street vendor, is the first of occasional profiles we will do on local personalities--including the people you might see around town and wonder, Who are they? What's their story?

Bill McGeehan has a daily "reserved seat" in a prime Walnut Creek location. No, it's not at a street-view table in Va de Vi. McGreehan's spot is at the busy downtown intersection of North Main Street and  Mt. Diablo Boulevard. 

McGeehan sits in his wheelchair every day, all year long, weather permitting, holding a brown basket filled with something that looks like marshmallows. You can't miss him, especially after he makes his low-key sales pitch. 

"Folks, can I interest you some homemade goat milk soap?"

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The 47-year old Pennsylvania native started selling his $5, home-made bars of Hope Soap in downtown Walnut Creek in 2008, just as the economy crashed.

McGeehan gave his soap the name "Hope" because he wanted to cheer people up during tough times. He knows plenty about surviving tough times. He was born with cerebral palsy and has spent his entire life learning to live with his disability. 

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He home is in San Pablo, in a trailer, specially outfitted to suit his needs. That's where the soap is made by his family. They make the bars in several fragrances, including vanilla lavender and eucalyptus.  All the ingredients are organic, and  "you can tell the difference in your skin," he said.

McGeehan does not mind not having a roof over his business. 

"I don't have high overheads," said the former RV salesman. "If I had to rent a place I'd have to raise the price and less people would buy my products. 

McGeehan also doesn't want to set up a stall at local farmers markets, because, again, he would have to pay. Instead loyal customers swing over to his "store" after shopping at the downtown market on Sunday.  

Like any merchant, McGeehan wants his business to succeed--but not just to support himself. He wants to start another business, remodeling trailer homes for other disabled people. Trailer homes can provide a much more affordable option for living than a house or an apartment, he said.

In the meantime, he will keep selling his Hope soap every day at the same spot in downtown--and hope himself that people will buy 

"Some people look at me and just walk by and others get interested in what I am doing," he said. "But it's fun because I get to meet interesting people."

You can find McGeehan selling his Hope Soap daily starting at 11 a.m. until the late afternoon. You can also call in orders at 510-220-4424.

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