Made With Love Soaps NZ was launched on 31st July 2021 while Danielle Collis was sitting with her terminally ill father in hospice. The business was born out of a love and a need to keep busy.
Though, things started very small. The brand had a collection of just five soaps but the product line slowly grew — one soap at a time.
We talk to Danielle about her family-run business and inspiration for June 2023 Box's inclusion, the Made With Love Soaps NZ Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak, as well as ask her for some winter wellness tips.
What's the biggest lesson you've learnt from starting and running a business?
The biggest lesson I have learnt from this business is to just enjoy it. Running a small business can be so time consuming and it can be something of a worry. Are we making the right product, is the pricing fair, will our customers love it? I’ve learnt to just enjoy the small things in running a business and to interact and talk with the customers. Whether it be in person or online, all our customers are so important to us and I take the time to interact with all of them.
What keeps you going?
The thing that keeps us going the most is that we are a small family run business and two of my eldest boys love to help, make the soaps, the skincare, the wax melts and love to show them off in photos.
Where do you get your inspiration for new products from?
The inspiration for our products come from everywhere. We love to use colour in our products. To make them pop. I am also a big fan of things being natural. And sometimes the children will come up with something they want to try. I also tend to ask my customers what they want to see more of. To gage what they are looking for.
Tell us the inspiration behind making the Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak?The Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak came about when I had a customer who had really bad eczema as well as red blotchy spots on her body. She approached me because she had been using our Kawakawa Balm and asked if we had anything for a soak in the bath to help. After some research, I settled on oatmeal and baking soda because of their natural healing properties and helpfulness. At the time of research, they seemed like such a strange combination to help with such issues. We added the calendula petals so it had a bit of colour in them but also because calendula petals are anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
What other products or practices could complement the use of the bath soak for winter wellness?
I love to have a dim bathroom, where I can just lay back and relax after a day with the children and running the business. Other times, I feel the best way to relax in a winter bath is to have a nice candle on that has a scent of eucalyptus or winter greens and a good book. I feel those best complement a good bath soak.
How else do you practice self-care during the colder, darker months?
For myself, I love to have a strict skincare routine. I do our skincare line every morning and night, I also once a week love to have a face mask on. I make sure to take my vitamins and have a good bath soak at least twice a week on top of the normal everyday shower.
How do you personally boost your immunity during the winter months?
For boosting my immunity, I take the Healtheries Adult Multi Gummy boosters as well as having immunity shoots on hand for when I think I need the extra protection. I am also a big tea drinker so will often drink a tea during the cold days to help keep the chills away.
Each of our June 2023 'Winter Wellness' box contains a Made With Love Soaps NZ Colloidal Oatmeal Bath Soak, sure to soothe your dry and itchy skin this winter... Subscribe today:
🍃 Body Box - $38.95 per month
🍃 Body Plus Box - $48.95 per month
🍃 Body LUXE Box - $58.95 per month