Ammo Maker: Vanessa Hutchinson, Fiocchi

If leather-scented or camo-colored soaps sound like something you’d lather up with, you’ll want to read up on our next Ammo Maker, because when Vanessa Hutchinson clocks out at Fiocchi, the brass gives way to bubbles.

For more than a decade, Vanessa has been a steady force on the centerfire line at Fiocchi, bringing mechanical know-how, dedication and a whole lot of heart to her role as lead. At the Fiocchi plant in Ozark, Mo., she manages a small but mighty team of four with the perfect mix of precision and warmth. And when the workday ends, she heads home to her “woman cave”— a converted bedroom where she crafts bar soaps, solid lotions and beard balms for her side business, H2 Soaps.

Before joining Fiocchi, Vanessa worked at a fishing lure company, pouring lead to mold lures. When her aunt, a Fiocchi employee, told her about an opening, Vanessa jumped at the opportunity and landed the job in February 2014.

Each morning, Vanessa arrives at 6 a.m. to start the machines, prep materials and ensure her team has everything it needs to keep production running smoothly. From powder checks to fixing breakdowns on the fly, Vanessa is always moving. But her favorite part of the job? Conversing with her team.

“We’re like a family — a little dysfunctional, sure — but we cut up, we get the job done and we genuinely like each other,” Vanessa said. “We spend most of our day together, so that matters. I wouldn’t want any other team.”

Vanessa’s line primarily produces .223 ammo, though she prefers working with smaller loads like 9mm and .40s, which tend to run more smoothly.

Outside of work, Vanessa’s creativity takes center stage in her soap business, H2 Soaps. What started in 2017 as a personal solution for sensitive skin has blossomed into a full-fledged operation years later.

“Friends and family encouraged me to start selling, and in 2020 I launched the website and began doing vendor events. It’s taken off — and I love it.”

Her product line includes bar soaps, solid lotions, shampoos, conditioners, beard balms and oils. But hold on to your hat — her bestseller is called “Naked Cowboy,” a leather-scented soap that’s as rugged as it sounds. And, if you’re open to smelling like the open range and a well-worn saddle, be sure to check out her camo soap, which features a tiny soap sidearm on top.

“Camo was a recent addition to the collection,” Vanessa said. “I didn’t think people would go for it, but they love it. One woman even asked for pink camo — and I said, ‘Sure!’ I love getting ideas from people.”

Vanessa sells her products at vendor shows, including the long-running Ozark Craft Festival. At these shows, Vanessa soaks up feedback, suggestions and connection with customers, and she enjoys marketing her business. In terms of sales, it’s split evenly between her website and in-person vendor shows.

Vanessa’s soap room — a converted bedroom with cabinets and a sink — is her sanctuary.

“It’s my woman cave,” she said. “I go straight there after work, and my husband has to pull me out for dinner. Even when I’m not working in that room, I’m always making notes. It’s always in my head. My dream is to turn this into a retirement business someday.”

When she’s not making soap, Vanessa and her husband are likely camping at Bull Shoals Lake, where they spend time boating, decompressing and playing cards with friends. She and her husband occasionally target shoot for fun on their property, but they’re not hunters. Instead, they try to fish. Key word: try.

“We don’t usually catch anything,” she said with a laugh.

Vanessa’s life is rich with family. Her husband’s daughter has given them two grandchildren. In addition, Vanessa has four brothers and two sisters. The crew gathers every few months to play games, laugh and pick on each other.

“We’re older now, but we’re still crazy,” she said. “My husband fits right in with them. As long as I have my family, I’m good.”

Some of Vanessa’s best adventures were spontaneously taken with siblings — once driving from Missouri to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, and another time heading to the beaches of Florida to relax on the sand.

Vanessa’s story is a reminder that passion can grow from unexpected places, whether it’s a job that turns into a career, or a hobby that becomes a business. Her warmth, work ethic and creativity make her a standout both on the line and in life.