From There to Here…

I was just 20 years old when I made one of the biggest decisions of my life: I enlisted in the U.S. Army. Most people spend their 21st birthday out celebrating… I spent mine in boot camp, sweaty, exhausted, and oddly proud of myself. Not long after, I met the man who’d become my husband, and before we knew it, we were welcoming our first baby boy into the world. With a new little family depending on me, I chose an honorable discharge and stepped into the role of military spouse — a job just as demanding, just as meaningful.

For the next 30 years, my boys and I stood behind my husband as he served our country. We stretched every dollar, made the most out of what we had, and learned the kind of resourcefulness only military life can teach. Through it all, gratitude became my compass. Hard days, good days — we were together, and that was enough.

Giving back became a part of who I was. You could find me at homeless shelters, in soup kitchens, sorting cans at food banks, greeting folks in hospital hallways, or volunteering at blood drives. Every place, every face, every story tugged at my heart and shaped me into someone who couldn’t turn away from people in need — especially our Veterans.

Then, somewhere around my 60th birthday, I felt that familiar tug again — that nudge that said, “There’s more to do, Helen.” And that’s how Sergeant Suds Laundry Powder was born. Just five simple, natural ingredients. No chemicals, no junk, no nonsense. A laundry detergent made to protect families, support Veterans, and do a little good in this world… one scoop at a time.

Looking back, the path from soldier to spouse to founder wasn’t planned — it unfolded, step by step, slow and steady. And that’s the beauty of it. Dreams don’t always arrive with fireworks. Sometimes they whisper. Sometimes they grow with you. And sometimes, they start with a simple thought: Maybe I can make a difference.

If my story says anything, I hope it’s this: it’s never too late to start something meaningful. ❤️🇺🇸

— Helen Rusaw
Founder, Veteran, Wife, Mom
Proud Creator of Sergeant Suds Laundry Powder