5 Things You Probably Don’t Know About J.R. Watkins

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the J.R. Watkins Naturals headquarters in Winona, Minnesota. It was such a fun trip (you can read about it here) and I loved learning more about one of my favorite natural brands. I learned so much, in fact, that I thought I’d put together a post about it for the readers of Eighty MPH Mom! Here are 5 things you probably don’t know about J.R. Watkins:

1. J.R. Watkins has been around for 143 years (and it all started with liniment).

If you’re like me, you probably know J.R. Watkins Naturals from their home and personal care products, sold at stores like Target. But J.R. Watkins started in 1868 as a natural apothecary manufacturer.

2. J.R. Watkins has been making natural products before it was cool.

In 1917, J.R. Watkins introduced Natural Vegetable Oil Soap. Today, they are still committed to producing pure and authentic natural products and are one of the few lines certified by the Natural Products Association.

3. That Trial Mark on the bottle isn’t just for show.

J.R. Watkins started selling his products as a traveling salesman. If his customers had used the products they bought beyond the Trial Mark, it meant that they must like them. If the liquid remaining in the bottle was above the Trial Mark, they could return it to him upon his next visit for a full refund.

4. The medals on the extract and spice containers mean something too!

In 1928, Watkins won a Gold Medal at the Paris International Exposition for its vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon, and other spices. These medals are still on its packaging today.

5. For a time in the 1960s, J.R. Watkins introduced products to compete with Avon.

Although this strategy was soon abandoned, I’m still kind of fond of these guys.

*Kiersten was not compensated for this post – she is sharing her experience at the J.R. Watkins facility.