Island Soap Co.: Inspired by Salt Spring
“I did not need to have everything figured out before I began. Steady progress and a commitment to quality have mattered far more than trying to do everything at once.”
Words by Tamara, Founder of Island Soap Co.
On Salt Spring Island, the landscape has always been part of my inspiration. Forest, shoreline, and a community filled with artists, farmers, and independent makers all influenced the way I began creating.
Island Soap Co. started with a simple curiosity about making soap and body care products by hand. With family members who struggled with sensitive skin, I began searching for gentler alternatives and experimenting with small batches using simple ingredients.
Friends and family soon began asking for the soaps I was making, and those small batches would quickly disappear. That was when I realized this little hobby might become something more.
The name Island Soap Co. reflects where the business began and the island community that continues to inspire it. I love transforming simple ingredients into something useful, from blending botanicals to working with scent and creating each batch by hand.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is patience. Building a small business means learning as you go, and I have discovered that I did not need to have everything figured out before I began. Steady progress and a commitment to quality have mattered far more than trying to do everything at once.
Meeting customers in person has been one of the most rewarding parts of growing the business. Markets give people the chance to see, smell, and experience the products while hearing the story behind them. Social media helps people discover the brand, but personal conversations have been an important part of building relationships with customers.
To any woman considering starting a business, my advice is to begin where you are and trust yourself to learn along the way. Be curious, stay open, and allow your business to grow in its own time. Starting something of your own takes courage, but it can also bring a wonderful sense of independence and fulfillment.
My petite joy is an island morning with my dogs, walking through the forest before the day begins, followed by a warm cup of tea. It is a simple beginning to the day, but one that reminds me why creating a life and business on Salt Spring Island feels so special.
—
Island Soap Co. is a Salt Spring Island-based brand creating handmade artisanal soaps and body products crafted with pure and simple intentions.
***
If you enjoy our editorials, you will enjoy our letters.
The COCOLILY CAFE arrives once a month with a curated note and moments of petite inspiration.
Stay connected at the ☕︎ COCOLILY & CO. CAFE.
We think you might love…
A curated pick from The Petite Shop.
The Summer édition of COCOLILY Magazine | 2026, presented as a 118-page PDF designed for keeping.
This issue features editorial stories, brand profiles, and curated finds from a selection of female led brands, brought together within the COCOLILY Market Summer experience.
The PDF edition offers a complete, formatted version of the magazine, ideal for those who prefer to save, revisit, and reference the issue over time.
The digital flip version remains available to view online.