Our story
Our founder, Patti Flynn studied Naturopathy for 3 years in New Zealand in the late 1980s. Her favourite subjects were herbal medicine, aromatherapy, massage. She says that 'all of those things became part of my life even though I never completed the Diploma.' In the meantime she became an executive chef. At the start of the new millenium, she combined her knowledge of herbalism, aromatherapy and aesthetics and applied them to the art of soapmaking.
Patti started selling artisan soap bars at local markets in late 2001 and quickly expanded to wholesale distribution in Australia, Japan, Korea and the United States. Patti is regarded by her peers as a master soapmaker.
We first came across Patti's soap in 2005 at our honeymoon accommodation in the Daintree Rainforest. We had a Eureka moment at a market in the Atherton Tableland when we realised we could buy it! A few years laters we found it again at a market in Port Douglas. Over the years we tried other soaps, but have never found anything as good, especially for sensitive skin. The natural yet complex essential oil scents, the skin-feel, the lather, the colours, the bliss.
After being her customers for almost 20 years, we found out that she was moving on to other things and was thinking about passing on the business to new owners. At the same time, we were looking for a business that would be easier to balance with young children. A random idea turned into serious plans and steps into the unknown.
So in late 2024 Patti bundled all of her equipment and supplies into a truck to bring them almost 3000km from the Atherton Tableland in tropical north Queensland, to Frankston, which is nestled between Melbourne's Bayside Suburbs and the Mornington Peninsula.
Here, in our little soapmaking studio, a few stones throws from Sweetwater Creek and Olivers Hill, in early 2025 Patti spent weeks with Chloe, handmaking batch after batch of her beautiful soap, and sharing her formulas, blends, methods and stories.
We may not be able to fill Patti's shoes, but we will do our best to walk in her footsteps. We are grateful for her legacy, and to have the opportunity to bring her special soap to a whole new generation of Beautiful Soap People, as well as Patti's loyal original customers.
Thank you for being on this journey with us. We are excited to be here with you.
