Building a community-driven business: The Soap Company of Nova Scotia
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
From a small workshop in Nova Scotia to shelves across Canada, The Soap Company of Nova Scotia has built its success on resilience and community-driven growth.
The Soap Company makes handcrafted, natural soap products that focus on ethical, transparently sourced ingredients while uplifting the Eastern Shore community.
“It started as a way to meet my own needs,” says Founder Leigh McFarlane, who has sensitivities to scents and chemicals. “I wanted to create something I could use and also share with others, while contributing to the community I love.”
Leigh McFarlane, founder of The Soap Company of Nova Scotia
The Soap Company began in 2013 in McFarlane’s home workshop, producing small batches of soap and selling them at markets. Nine months of preparation and collaboration with other entrepreneurs set the stage for what would become a beloved Nova Scotia brand.
“The early advice and mentorship I received from local entrepreneurs were invaluable,” McFarlane recalls. “Jennifer Ridgeway from Moonsnail Soapworks and organizations like the Craft Alliance and CBDC helped me understand pricing, marketing, and the importance of building confidence in my product.”
As the name suggests, The Soap Company of Nova Scotia is deeply rooted in its local community, working to build meaningful employment opportunities and economic development on the Eastern Shore.
“The goal was to create jobs here,” says Leigh. “By 2021, we were employing 10 people locally.”
The business also grew beyond local farmers’ markets to retail partnerships with major chains like Sobeys and Lawtons Drugs.
“We thought we’d only sell directly to consumers, but the wholesale journey taught us so much about getting our products into stores and supporting retailers in selling them.”
Overcoming adversity
In 2021, disaster struck when a fire destroyed the company’s workshop and McFarlane’s home. Despite the devastating loss, McFarlane and her team were determined to rebuild.
“The morning after the fire, we knew people were counting on us,” she says. “We couldn’t give up. Within weeks, we were making soap again in a retired fire hall in Sherbrooke.”
Rebuilding brought clarity and focus. While The Soap Company had been managing rapid growth, the fire forced McFarlane to streamline her efforts and double down on the business’s core mission.
Scaling up and staying local
Today, The Soap Company operates out of a former smokehouse in Sherbrooke. McFarlane credits her partnerships with organizations like Invest Nova Scotia and CBDC for helping her access funding, improve processes, and grow sustainably.
“Knowing the resources available and tapping into them at the right time made all the difference.”
The company has also embraced new opportunities, such as certification through the Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) program, which opened doors to new sales channels. Plans are underway to relaunch on Amazon Canada and the US, with a trusted partner managing their wholesale strategy.
A culture of care
Central to The Soap Company’s success is its culture of care. Every bar of soap is handcrafted with attention to detail, and each package is shipped with a handwritten note.
“We care deeply about the people who use our products. That trust is our biggest asset. It’s what connects us to our customers and sets us apart.”
For McFarlane, the heart of her business remains the Eastern Shore community.
“This is the only place I’ve ever truly known in my heart,” she says. “It’s home. And everything we do is about making this community stronger.”
Looking to be Nova Scotia’s next business success story? Connect with your Regional Business Development Advisor today.