Ann Marie Craig, owner of Century Farmhouse LLC in West Bend, is seen in this photo provided by Country Living magazine and publisher Hearst Corp. Craig is among 10 female business owners honored in the publication’s 2008 Women Entrepreneurs issue, out next week.

WEST BEND - A local herbal soapmaker will soon find herself in some very exclusive company.

Ann Marie Craig, owner of Century Farmhouse, a West Bend artesian soapmaker, is one of 10 female business owners nationwide featured in Country Living magazine’s upcoming 2008 Women Entrepreneurs issue.

The magazine salutes the achievements of female small business owners.

According to a news release, Century Farmhouse is one of more than 10 million woman-owned businesses in the United States. Those businesses employ a combined 12.9 million people and generate $1.9 trillion in sales.

"Country Living magazine has always reported on, sought out, and honored the many women in this country who have successfully started businesses based on their personal passions," the magazine’s editors said in a statement. "The magazine continues this tradition in the March 2008 Women Entrepreneurs issue."

It is the third year the magazine has given the honor.

Craig founded the business in 2001. It primarily sells handmade soaps online and at trade shows based on her own personal recipes, and others developed by her family.

"My grandmother was a soapmaker, but as a child I was never allowed near soap because of the lye," Craig said. "In 1999, I decided to learn the craft, so I taught myself. I put a lot of passion into making my soap, and I take the time to know where my ingredients come from.

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