North Loop Author “Bottled Her Mother” in New Book
Beside my kitchen sink sits a bottle of lavender-scented Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day hand soap. If you have ever used it after chopping onions or garlic, you know how well it removes those less-than-desirable odors. But did you know that Mrs. Meyer’s has ties to the North Loop?
Many years ago, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day had its first office in North Loop—in the Ford Center before it was “an A+ building.” Founder Monica Nassif (pictured above, with her mom, the real Mrs. Meyer) leased an old photography studio whose windows faced west. Without air conditioning, opening those windows in summer meant you either got hit with rain or an influx of wasps.
Another tie to North Loop: Nassif has called the neighborhood home since 2018 and enjoys many of the things other residents often cite—especially the walkability.
Nassif sold Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day (and its parent company, Caldrea Co.) to SC Johnson in 2008. This month, she’ll release I Bottled My Mother: Grit, Grime & Growing a Business: The Mrs. Meyer’s Story. In it, she shares both the origins of the brand and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
North Loop author (and Mrs. Meyer’s daughter) Monica Nassif’s book launches April 14.
She writes, “A lot of people ask me how do you start a business? Hold on. There’s a more important question—should you start a business?” Among her key lessons are the importance of knowing yourself, building a strong brand, and showing up prepared—yes, even with a one-page business plan.
The brand itself was inspired by her mother, Thelma Meyer, a hardworking Midwestern woman who raised nine children in just ten years. In the early days, Thelma even handed out soap samples at a grocery store. Nassif used her mother’s voice as a guiding principle: “Ask Thelma and she’ll tell you that cleaning is something that just has to get done, so do it. And if you can make cleaning more pleasant, well, why wouldn’t you?”
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products. Photo from company website.
I’ll admit—before reading the book, I hadn’t thought about the story behind the products I use every day. Now, I find myself thinking about Thelma Meyer and the care and intention that has become a staple in my home—and one with roots right here in North Loop.
Mrs. Meyer’s products are available at most major retailers. I Bottled My Mother launches April 14 wherever books are sold, with an author discussion hosted by the Star Tribune’s Ali Kaplan on May 7. Tickets to that event are $40 and can be purchased here.
— By Amber Woller, NLNA Volunteer Feature Writer