After taking a short hiatus, we are back to featuring amazing women in Airdrie who are killin’ it in their business. This month we are featuring Allison Blumhagen of Canoe Soap Co.
If you’ve ever tried her soaps, you’ll know they’re exceptionally well made and they smell oh so good! Here is what Allison had to say about her business: “For years I have tried to live a cleaner and healthier lifestyle. Making choices from eating out less and not buying prepackaged foods, to using natural shampoos and lotions. I wanted to have fewer chemicals in my skincare products, so I decided to make my own soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and lotions! I care for the environment and try my best to reduce my impact on it, so try my best to make my packaging from recyclable or reusable content”.
She decided to start Canoe Soap Co. because she didn’t like using ingredients on her body that she can’t pronounce! In her words: “I tried making different shampoos and lotions I could find on the internet. When those didn’t turn out to be the greatest, I looked more into how cold process soap is made. I took a course on soap making and found that I really loved this. So, it turned from a hobby into a side business. I am always looking for new products to help keep us all healthy”.
Being an entrepreneur is a huge challenge and often we have very personal views of what success means to us. Allison defines it as never giving up. “Sometimes life is busy and hard and it is easy to put aside the business. But when I get compliments on one of my products or orders come through, that’s when I remember why I’m doing this. I want others to also live a cleaner lifestyle”.
Her role models are her parents. “They have taught me that hard work and perseverance pay off. They have given me faith to rely on and have always shown me patience and love”. And the best advice she has ever received? To never stop learning. “I love to challenge myself and try new things. There is so much information at our fingertips that it’s not hard to find help on any problem I have”.
Allison’s favourite thing about Airdrie is that it feels like a small town still. “Even though the city is large, I get a sense that we all want to support each other. There are so many amazing businesses here that I don’t need to leave Airdrie to find what I’m looking for or a service that I need. The pathways in the city are wonderful. It is so easy to go for bike rides as a family or just walk around the beautiful waterways”.
Allison’s favourite local businesses are (in no particular order):
Good Earth Coffeehouse This is a great coffee shop that has amazing espresso. My husband and I enjoy going for walks there.
Squiggly Pig Marketplace One reason is that my products are sold there but also because I can always find a great local item for myself or gifts.
Re-vive Ladies Consignment This is a great consignment clothing store where I can find great quality every time I walk in.
If you are interested in trying out Allison’s amazing soap or other products, you can find her on Facebook Canoe Soap Co. or check out her website at https://canoe-soap.square.site
Her email is canoesoap@outlook.com
IG handle is @canoesoap
