Getting Soaped
If, like me, your family members already have everything they want, you know how hard Christmas shopping can be.
We checked in with Rocky Mountain Soap Co for another instalment of cleanliness in the Bow Valley. We wanted to find out what is available for Christmas to make shopping easy, natural and healthy. And because we like to understand good businesses, we wanted to know what's new on the business end.
If you haven't been introduced to the business, have a look here.
Impressions
Co-owner Cam Baty updated us on two recent developments: simpler products with fewer ingredients, and more environmentally responsible packaging. In both of these cases, it makes good business sense and aligns with the values of the people that buy and use their products.
Fewer ingredients require fewer manufacturing steps. The inputs to the processes are reduced. Correspondingly, it reduces risk and simplifies operations. A simpler process requires less labour and has a direct impact on the cost. Words such as "hand-made", "lovingly crafted" or "artisan" are often used as marketing speak to position a brand, but are a far cry from what really happens (or should happen) in manufacturing.
The reality of any manufacturing operation is that it must strike a fine balance between putting out great products that customers love and doing it for a reasonable return. Otherwise, there is no point. Sometimes it can only be done by hand. In other cases mechanizing an operation is the way to deliver consistent and good affordable quality. In both cases, keeping things simple is a win-win.
When it comes to the good products of Rocky Mountain Soap Co. there is a benefit in fewer ingredients and keeping things simpler for our bodies. With a shorter list of ingredients and no toxins, the ones that remain can do their best work. You and I get to know what we are using when we use their soap, put on their sunscreen or wash our hair (for those of us who still have hair). Simple and good.
The harder nut to crack is finding environmentally responsible packaging in the cosmetics industry. Soap in a bar is easy. You can simply wrap it in paper. It is not so easy when it comes to lotions, pastes and other viscosities. The industry hasn't solved those problems and plastic bottles and tubes are standard. We all know that this is a continuing problem that ends up in landfills, if not the ocean.
Rocky Mountain Soap has been experimenting with a small paper container for their lip quench. See it here. They call them paper pots. While it is a more expensive option (for now), Cam believes it is the right way to go. More of their products may go the same way in the near future. We think it is the right approach too.
Enjoy your shopping with Rocky Mountain Soap Company this Christmas: https://www.rockymountainsoap.com.
At least we know we are going to have clean Cowboys in 2017.
P.S. Also, ask for the "Serious Scrub" to get your "man hands" clean, smooth and healthy. It has rocks (pumice) in it...
Hendrik van Wyk
Nice Smelling Clean Cowboy
2026 update: Rocky Mountain Soap Co. turned 25 and is now simply called "Rocky", with stores across Western Canada and new ones in Ontario. Everything is still handmade in Canmore. (Source: Retail Insider)
Photos
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| Christmas Boxes |
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| Shopping |
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| Testing |
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| Consulting |
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| You Should Smell This... |
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