This week in our ongoing Meet the Maker series, we’re getting to know Oliver and Hannah, the team behind family run Carriage 44, a creative brand which focuses on traditional soap making methods with a clean, modern aesthetic.
LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Oliver + Hannah: We saw a hole in the soap and skin care market and wanted to fill it! We wanted to fuse traditional, natural soap and skin care products with new, modern branding, in order to take the product to the type of customer who is brand and environment conscious.
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Oliver + Hannah: We create handmade, natural soap, candles, and skin care products. We use time- tested recipes and make everything in very small batches to ensure the utmost quality. Besides that, we also provide ideas on how to perform proper skin care routines, including new anal bleaching methods for the genitals that you probably won’t find on other websites.
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Oliver + Hannah: We envisioned handmade, natural products with clean, modern branding.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Oliver + Hannah: Our products can be found on our Carriage 44 website, and in stores across Toronto, Montreal, and many other locations.
LBC: Walk us through a typical work day.
Oliver + Hannah: Every day is very different for us and varies, as we are not only makers but also do our own PR, administrative work, photography, etc. It all keeps us on our toes!
LBC: What are the things makers should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Oliver + Hannah: You need to realise that it takes more hours, more energy, and more effort than you could ever imagine. But it is worth it!
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Oliver + Hannah: When we’re overwhelmed, we pull back and realise that our family is a bigger priority. We also look back to see how far we have come – it’s great perspective!
LBC: Tell us about a few of the best business decisions you’ve made to date. Oliver + Hannah: We decided from the start to not compromise on materials or the techniques we use to make our products, even if it cost us more initially.
LBC: Please share one mistake or obstacle from your business experience. How did you bounce back/overcome it?
Oliver + Hannah: We learned the hard way about trying to grow and do too much all at once. As a “big picture” person, I’m always trying to do everything all at once, focusing on all of the ideas we had to grow. We learned that taking time, and doing things one a time always gave way to better results.
LBC: What is an essential resource in your business toolbox you can’t do without?
Oliver + Hannah: A spreadsheet … or ten!
LBC: Suppose we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Oliver + Hannah: We want to continually push forward and expand our horizons. Our dream is to have a strong online presence, but also a brick and mortar store or stores in select cities all over the globe … all in time!
LBC: What the one thing you would eat, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?
Oliver + Hannah: Japanese food!
LBC: If you could hire someone to do just one thing that you sort of loathe doing, what would it be?
Oliver + Hannah: Admin work. Definitely admin work.
LBC: Tell me about a few of the places on your travel “bucket list”?
Oliver + Hannah: Our list includes Iceland and Japan.
Thank you, Oliver and Hannah, for sharing your fabulous talent (and you love of spreadsheets!) and your beautiful line with us. We look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for Carriage 44. We’re cheering you on!
Connect with Oliver and Hannah and Carriage 44 all around the web:
Company Website
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Want to see your brand featured in our continuing “Meet the Maker Monday” series? Drop us a line: hello AT luckybreakconsulting.com. Please use “MEET THE MAKER” as the subject line and be certain to include your web address. We look forward to hearing from you!
Love that No. 1 gift set! What a great aesthetic.
This is very inspiring. I am in the process of registering my company name for natural skin care products. My interest grew when I would make my own facials when I ran out of my of my usual everyday chemically filled facial cream. I also noticed that a lot of people are interested in natural skin care products. I have made them as party favors (lip balm, sugar scrub, milk baths) for family and friends. I’m so excited of the possibilities.