Today we’d like to introduce you to Cai Valdez.
Hi Cai, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Purely Caiya started from a place of healing and rediscovery. I’m an Army veteran and a former teacher– after spending four years as a high school teacher I decided to step away from the classroom in order to focus on my mental health and recovery from PTSD. During that time, I started making soap as a hobby—something small that brought me comfort and a sense of calm.
From there, I got curious about how I could infuse my homegrown herbs and flowers into my products, which opened the door to learning more about herbalism, aromatherapy, and the creative side of self-care. I’ve always had eczema, and so do some of my friends and family, so creating products that felt good, smelled good, and were gentle on sensitive skin became really personal to me.
When I started sharing what I made with my loved ones and saw how much they loved it—and how it actually helped their skin—I was encouraged to try selling at a local farmers market. After that first market went better than I ever expected, I decided to take the leap and turn it into a business.
Since then, I’ve been blown away by the support from both the San Antonio community and social media. In less than a year, what started as a creative outlet for healing has grown into something I’m able to do full-time. My business is an ever-evolving journey—a reflection of my creativity, passions, and interests—and I love that I get to express myself through it. I feel truly blessed to have so many people following along and supporting that journey.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road—but I think that makes me more proud of my growth. In the beginning, I was trying to balance a lot—working full-time, starting a new business, and figuring out how to make it all sustainable. Transitioning to fully supporting myself and my family through my business was both exciting and terrifying at the same time.
There were moments of real self-doubt, especially when I was learning everything from scratch. I had to teach myself how to make soap and formulate cosmetics safely and effectively, how to run a business, build a website, manage social media, and create content—all while still trying to find my footing as a new entrepreneur.
There’s also a lot of patience required when you’re developing products from scratch. There were plenty of trial-and-error moments where something didn’t go as planned, but each one taught me something valuable.
Even with the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Every lesson, mistake, and small win has shaped both me and my business. It’s been a constant process of growth and learning, and I’m proud of how far it’s come and excited for where things will go.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Purely Caiya?
My business, Purely Caiya, is an ever-evolving reflection of my creativity, curiosity, and love for crafting things that make people feel cared for. I create small-batch, handmade skincare and wellness products that are rooted in herbalism, aromatherapy, and garden-grown natural ingredients—everything from soaps and body butters to oils and home fragrance.
What really sets Purely Caiya apart is the heart and intention behind it. Every product starts from scratch—formulated, poured, and packaged by hand using thoughtfully chosen ingredients, often infused with herbs and flowers from my own home garden. I’m passionate about creating products that are gentle, effective, and earth-friendly, without sacrificing that feeling of luxury and self-indulgence.
I’m most proud of how much love and authenticity people feel when they use my products. It means so much to know that something I make by hand can bring someone comfort or confidence. At its core, Purely Caiya is about care—care for yourself and for the art of slowing down and enjoying the little things.
I want readers to know that everything I do comes from a genuine place. My offerings are handmade, skin-friendly, and made to nurture both body and spirit. Whether it’s through a bar of soap, a body butter, or a simple scent that makes you pause and smile—it all comes back to my belief that it feels good to care
What’s next?
I’m really excited about what’s ahead. As my business continues to grow, I’m leaning even further into my passions and the things that inspire me creatively. I’ve been exploring new directions and product ideas that align with my love of scent, mood, and storytelling—so there are definitely some special things in the works that I can’t wait to share soon.
This month has also been a huge milestone for us—we’ve started selling in person at a local store here in San Antonio, which has been such a rewarding experience. I’m hoping to continue expanding and partnering with even more local businesses in the future.
Overall, my goal is to keep growing in a way that feels authentic and connected to my values—continuing to create products that bring people joy, comfort, and care, while staying true to the heart of what Purely Caiya represents.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://purelycaiya.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purelycaiya/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@purelycaiya
