Entrepreneur of week
With varying colours, designs, names and scents, there is something for everyone through the Lowveld Soap Company.
Name: Denise de Villiers
Lowveld Soap Company
When Denise de Villiers was retrenched in 2011 after spending her entire working life in the IT industry, she decided to start her own business, doing something she loved and was good at: handmaking amazing scented, unscented and incredibly decorative soaps.
“With the support of my husband, family, friends and the community, my business grew exponentially until Covid hit. I have been blessed though to be able to keep my head above water in these trying times – after all we need to wash our hands more than ever now,” said De Villiers.
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She said she was originally making the soaps and working from her garage and kitchen until the operation grew too big and De Villiers required more space to work. Therefore, a soap studio was built onto her home.
“The great thing about working from home is that I am always with my fur children and it allows for clients to visit the studio (by appointment) at any time that suits them
“I make soap using the cold process method. This means the soap is made using a combination of lye and oils. All soaps are vegan, except for our goat’s milk bars which contain ethically sourced goats milk.
“My assistant Princess Sambo, does most of the wrapping. Everything is done by hand from printing the labels to cutting and labelling the soaps. Although fragrance oils are sometimes used, pure essential oils are preferred. The demand for unscented and pure soaps is increasing which makes me very happy,” she said.
De Villiers said all her products are sourced ethically and wrapping products that are not biodegradable is kept to a minimum.
“The community helped me grow my business and I cannot do it without them. In return I re-batch all my cuttings and shavings and provide soap for charities and people in need.
“I am passionate about making soap and I love the challenge of coming up with ideas specific to my clients’ needs.”
To find out more about Lowveld Soaps, you can visit the website www.lowveldsoap.co.za, email info@lowveldsoap.co.za or WhatsApp 083 228 3718.
