Little Badger turns 20 this month!
So Bill, with his wife Katie and daughters Mia, Emily and Rebecca, began filling tins in the kitchen of their home. Bill sunk his life savings into buying 10,000 printed tins that said “Badger” on the cover, which he hand-delivered to lumberyards and hardware stores, and the rest, as they say, is history.
This is one of my all-time favorite stories. Not because Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands is one of my favorite products. And not even because thirteen years later it would lead to my gainful employment! I love this story because it’s proof that when you have a good idea, good intentions, and a “one-step-at-a-time” attitude, anything can be accomplished. Bill didn’t have any money (and Kickstarter hadn’t been invented yet). He didn’t even have a business plan (but he soon learned how to write one). And he didn’t have any idea how to start a manufacturing company. But Bill’s greatest strengths are not being afraid of working hard, asking for help, or taking things slowly.
Luckily, he also has an awesome family that provides love, support, and helping hands.

Looking back on the last twenty years, here are some of the highlights:
- 1995 Badger Bill orders 10,000 printed tins to sell his very first product, Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands. This same year Badger moves out of the kitchen and into a small building in Gilsum Village.
- 1996 Badger now has seven employees who hand fill, package, sell, and distribute Badger Balm.
- 1997 Badger starts making lip balms, in addition to Badger Balm for Hardworking Hands. Why? Because customers kept calling and asking “can I put this stuff on my lips?” (Note: Many of our products start out this way so don’t hesitate to let us know what you think!)
Tins are still being filled by hand by a dedicated team including James, who is still with the company today as Badger’s production manager. - 1998 Sore Muscle Rub oil is released packaged in really neat, corked bottles with hand-dipped wax seals. Badger now has thirteen employees and fourteen products, including Sleep Balm.
- 1999 Badger purchases a small-scale filling machine. James, who used to hand fill all the tins, rejoices. Aromatic Chest Rub, Baby Balm, and Evolving Body Balm (now Damascus Rose Beauty Balm) are introduced. Badger creates a page on the newly invented “world wide web” and badgerbalm.com was born.
- 2000 After Sun Balm and Anti-Bug Balm are introduced. Badger’s catalog theme was “Look Far,” which according to Badger Bill, “The idea is that there is work to do in the world and much to look forward to.”
- 2001 Badger switches to organic extra virgin olive oil and purchases a large-scale tin filling machine that is capable of filling eight tins at a time. We still use that machine to this day (with maintenance and improvements, of course).
- 2002 Bill’s wife, Katie, and daughter, Emily both join the business full time, bringing the number of full-time Badgers to thirty-two. Badger releases more massage oils, now packaged with pump tops. Badger Balm can now be found at Harrods of London, as well as on the rarefied shelves of high-end beauty salons in New York and San Francisco and in natural apothecaries such as Erborista Cortina in Italy.
- 2003 Two new lip balm flavors are released, Chai Rose and Lavender & Orange, as well as an unscented version of our original Badger Balm. Badger Bill writes in the spring catalog about how the company operates, “No animal testing. Organic or otherwise ecologically cultivated and produced ingredients. Of course, we use no Genetically Modified Ingredients, synthetics, or chemical additives.”
- 2004 Badger releases its first line of soaps, as well as Anti-Bug Balm in a stick. More than 70% of the ingredients used in Badger products are organic.
- 2005 Badger is big in the UK and Taiwan, and the company continues to grow. Badger releases its very first mineral sunscreen, the “Fabulously Natural SPF 15,” as well as an SPF 15 lip balm.
- 2006 SPF 30 Sunscreen and Baby Oil are released. Badger Bill says, “We are now a thriving business and we are proud to make safe, wholesome, powerfully pure body care product for people we care about the world over.”
- 2007 Cocoa Butter Lip Balms and a Night-Night Balm are released. The world is officially a better place.
- 2008 Badger becomes a USDA Certified Organic facility, and begins to use Fair Trade CertifiedTM cocoa butter. Badger’s Cocoa Butter Lip Balms are the first products to receive fair trade certification. Sore Joint Rub, Sore Muscle Rub Cooling Blend, and Aromatherapy Mind Balms are released.
- 2009 Bill’s daughter, Rebecca, joins the Badger staff full time. Emily has baby Maya, who becomes the sixth baby to be part of the “Babies at Work” program. Badger releases its Every Day Body Moisturizers.
- 2010 In the fall, construction begins on a brand new Badger building! This has been Bill’s and Katie’s dream since Badger first started. Many new products are released, including Fair Trade Certified Lip Tint & Shimmers and reformulated Massage and Body Oils.
- 2011 Badger employees move into the brand new Badger HQ, throwing a huge party to celebrate and inviting friends from all over the world. In the fall, Damascus Rose Face Oil (my all-time favorite!) is released.
- 2012 Badger launches more sunscreens, including SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen. In the fall, Hair Oils make their debut.
- 2013 Diaper Cream and more sunscreens are released. Calendula Gardens Children’s Center – affordable, flexible child care for the children of Badger employees – opens in the former Badger Building down the road. Badger starts being recognized for the way in which we do business, and the awards and accolades follow.
- 2014 Navigator Class Man Care is released, and the world gets a little more dapper.
- 2015 Badger HQ expands to accommodate more manufacturing so that we can continue to bring you more of the good stuff you love.

So twenty years later, here we are! Thank you for being a part of this amazing journey. We’re so excited and grateful to be able to do what we love, and make a difference in the world that we want to celebrate all month with you! We’re giving away a bunch of Badger stuff every Thursday of this month, starting today! And since October has five Thursdays, the last one is going to be an extra special super-prize. Be sure to check back for that!
Today’s giveaway features Badger classics: Badger Balm Sampler, ‘Walk a Healthy Trail’ t-shirt (S, M, or L), and a large, organic cotton Badger Tote Bag – retail value $55. Contest ends Wednesday, October 7 at midnight. This contest is open to residents of the US only, 18+.

Happy birthday, dear Badger! The best present you can give is to share this post with your friends!
64 comments on “Happy Birthday, Badger!”
Happy birthday! Love what you make and what you stand for! Here’s to another 20+!
I have anxiety issues if I am without my Badger lip balm, have a dozen on hand at any time. I am addicted! It is good!
I love the lip balm.
Love the bug balm!
Badger baby sunscreen and bug spray have saved me and my daughter! Can you please bring back the “Rub people the right way” bumper stickers?! I still have mine on my car 🙂
I’ll see what we can do, Meredith! 🙂
Happy Birthday. Love your shave soap and after shave oil.
Happy Bday Badger.
I only use the mineral sunscreen on my kids. It’s my favorite.
Badger lip balms! The best I have ever used – all smell great and are melty and deliciously moisturising. A total staple! Happy Birthday Badger! <3
Happy Birthday 🙂 I love and use so many of the Badger products – the lip balms, body oils, bug spray, and tinted sunscreen. My newest favorite is the facial oil from the unscented line. The unscented body oil is great, too! It’s perfect for sensitive skin.
I came down with a cold this week and the aromatic chest rub has been a life saver! I’m sure glad I had some on hand.
Happy Birthday! Love the Night-Night balm (love lavender and sandlewood)
Night Night Balm.
Happy Birthday Badger. My family loves your products!
i ❤️ sleep balm! it’s so calming AND it’s super relief on a dry cracked nose from too much tissue blowing!
I have your lip balm in the Pink Grapefruit scent by my side as I’m typing this comment 🙂 Happy Birthday, you guys! <3
Love the sleep balm
Nutmeg and Shea everyday-yaa! 😉 Happy B-day!
Happy birthday! It’s so hard to choose a favorite product, but I have to go with the original Badger Balm. Nothing else hydrates my dry skin as well as it does!
Happy bday badger!
Happy birthday badger!!!!
It’s hard to pick a favorite product. I have so many!! But my top faves are the sleep balm, after sun balm, muscle rub, anti bug spray and sunscreen 😀
Love your products and your company’s mission!
Happy 20th!
I loooove ALL the face oils!!
Happy birthday badgers! Life wouldn’t be the same without your Sore Muscle Rub!
Happy Birthday! I love and use so many of your products … but as the cooler fall temps are hitting us now in Minnesota the Badger Cuticle Balm is my hand saver. Thank you for continuing to make amazing, and natural products.
Badger lip balm can’t be beat!
Happy Birthday! I love the Seabuckthorn Face Oil! Smells lovely and works perfectly!
What a cool story! I love your products!
My favorite is the Anti-Bug Sunscreen. This is a must have in my house for my kids.
Happy birthday badger! My favorite product is the unscented beauty balm, it is the only facial moisturizer that agrees with my skin!!! It’s the best!!!
love the lip balm
I am so glad I found your products about a year ago! the Balms are my all time favorite!
Lip balm…..but love everything
Happy Birthday Badger! I am so thankful for 20 years of your dedication to making skin care healthy and sustainable. I love your products and you have a customer for LIFE.
Happy Birthday! I could live without my Badger Cutical Balm!
My favorite product is the sleep balm! I use it all the time
Happy Birthday!!
Thanks for all the wonderful products!!
I love the Sleep Balm and face oils!! I couldn’t live without them!!
I LOVE Badger products! The hardworking hands is excellent to use in the dry NH winter air. I even use it on my feet!
We use badger daily in our house! My 2 year old daughter loves looking in at all the different badgers on each package.
It is really hard to pick just one product but I am in love with the lip balms, especially the unscented. Thanks for making such awesome products.
I didn’t know the history of Badger Balm, now I’m happy to say I do!
My favorite product is Herbal Lip Care – Classic Lip Balm!
I’m using your Sore Muscle Rub, original, I love it
I love the Damascus Rose Face Oil. It makes my skin look and feel amazing!
I love the unscented lip balm!
Love the sleep balm
I love Badger Lip Balms and the Rose face oil 🙂
Thank you guys for making amazing products! Happy Birthday!
Badger must be a Libra! Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday, Badger and many, many more!!! You guys are awesome! Thanks so much for the Giveaways 🙂
Happy 20 Years Badger!! I first purchased your sunscreen 4 years ago and have ever since. So glad I got introduced to it as well as your awesome lip balm. Thank you for all that you do!
Loved learning all about Badger history! Happy Birthday , Badger!
I really admire your business principles and the products you create. Your Babies at Work program is inspiring!
I love your muscle rub! Great after a day of hiking!
Love love love to win that birthday package!
I can’t pick a favorite product but I love pomegranate cocoa butter lip balm, & everyday moisturizer in creamy coca! So luscious!
Happy Birthday Badger!! Absolutely love your products and have suggested them to all of my friends !!!
The Badger Lip Balms!
Happy birthday! Have so many favorite products but if I have to pick 1 it would be Night Night Balm!
My favorite product is your kid’s spf. It smells so good.
I love all the lip balms and the sunscreen too!
Happy Birthday! We love your baby sunscreen!