YYC Feature: LAMB’S SOAPWORKS

Lara Lamb ‘infuses slices of joy’ into our world

Artisan crafted, sustainably sourced and aesthetically stunning:  Lamb’s Soapworks is what swirly, sudsy dreams are made of. Owner/creator Lara Lamb is committed to providing customers with all natural hand-crafted soap and bath & body products, made with unrefined vegetable-based pure oils and butters. Unlike commercial soaps, you won’t find parabens, petrolatum, phthalates, or GMO’s in any of Lamb’s raw ingredients or finished products. Customers notice the difference, and feel the love that goes into Lamb’s work. But Lamb is more than successful businesswoman who puts her heart into her products, she’s also philanthropist committed to giving back through her business. 1% of all online sales go to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Calgary/Southern Alberta. In addition, Lamb sources locally as much as possible, supporting fellow YYC business owners (see examples below!). Her story serves as a beautiful case study for those moved and motivated by ethical entrepreneurship.

When and why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneurship for me was unintentional. Lamb's was born out of a desire to create beautiful soap and natural bath and body products. The business portion of that evolved with the creative part. However, I do love the flexibility that running my own business has given me. 

Why is it important to you that all Lamb’s Soapworks’ suppliers adhere to ‘global standards for fair business
trade’?

This is such a great question! The majority of raw goods and materials we use come from countries where workers live on far less than we do in North America. It's important to me that Lamb's supports global suppliers who provide their employees with the opportunity to make a fair living wage and thus improve their working and living conditions. 

“It is important that the ingredients Lamb's uses to make our finished products are not just farmed with economic consideration in mind, but also environmental and social impacts and implications in mind”

When you use the term “sustainably sourced ingredients”, what do you mean by that?

It is important that the ingredients Lamb's uses to make our finished products are not just farmed with economic consideration in mind, but also environmental and social impacts and implications in mind.

As of now, do you source any locally grown materials?

We currently support as many local businesses as possible when sourcing our raw supplies. This allows us to put money back into the pockets of local business owners in our own backyard and support the Alberta economy. 

*Beeswax for our lip balms and deodorants is Alberta beeswax and is purchased through Calgary company YYC Beeswax.

*Blackbird Cold Brew Coffee Company supplies us with cold brew for our Cold Brew Coffee Soap bar. 

*Crickle Creek Coffee supplies us with organic coffee beans for our Cold Brew Coffee soap as well as our Vanilla Cream & Coffee Sugar Body Scrub. 

*Our honey in our Oatmeal Honey Bath Bombs and our Oatmeal Almond Milk Honey soap comes from Drizzle Honey. 

*Our tea soap bars use loose leaf tea supplied by Tearrific Loose Leaf Tea Company

*The Brewer's Series Soap bars are a collaboration between Brewster's Brewing Company and ourselves

*We also utilize, as much as we can, B.C. harvested lavender buds and rose petals which are collected by my mom in Vancouver's lower mainland

Why is it important for you to ensure that your business gives back?

It is important to give back in your community. Not only is this good business practice, but I believe it is just part of being a good human. 

Why was Ronald McDonald Charities of Calgary/Southern Alberta the organization that you chose to support?

My cousin's son passed away from neuroblastoma a few years ago. At the time, they lived in a small town outside of a major centre where he underwent treatment. The Ronald McDonald House allowed them to have some semblance of family life during a very difficult and trying time. 

 What are a few of your goals for Lamb’s Soapworks for the next 5 years? (How do you want to grow, improve, etc.?)

Phase out all plastic packaging and switch over to glass, compostable, and recycled material packaging wherever possible.

Provide more jobs in our community. 

Give back more in our community/

Move into a larger facility/studio and warehouse space.  

What is your favourite quote? 

Nothing in life worth having comes easy!

Find her at:

https://lambsoapworks.com/

@lambsoapworks