Tough business times but startup won’t have a bar of it

Waipu based soap maker Allie Digweed has launched The New Zealand Soap Collective, a range of regionally themed, handcrafted soaps.

Allie and business partner Ron Davidson realised they needed a unique and distinctive brand positioning for their product range, something that would give them a compelling and competitive point of difference, producing the highest-quality, natural, plant-based, handcrafted soaps.

“Given the current Covid-19 climate, there is now a much stronger and more caring interest in people, family and community,” says Allie.

It is this realisation that helped lead Allie and Ron to the idea of collaborating with clever local artisans who supply ingredients for the series of unique regionally themed soaps. Four Waipu artisans supply beer, coffee grounds, macadamia oil and honey for their Bream Bay themed soaps.

Allie drives the production side of the business, with everything made on the family lifestyle block. Her interest in soaps originally sprang from her job as a college science teacher. That initial interest turned from fascination into a passion.

Allie and Ron are very excited about the potential that the New Zealand Soap Collective business holds.

“All our soaps are small batch made in the old fashioned cold press way using only the finest ingredients, and are one hundred percent natural,” says Allie.

Because of Covid-19 there is now a much greater focus on New Zealand produced goods, with the wider Soap Collective range being embraced by retailers throughout Northland, and available locally at Pipi Gallery Mangawhai, Waipu Pharmacy, Red Door Gallery Waipu, and Waipu Museum.

n Visit nzsoapcollective.com

Community support is part of the soap collective’s philosophy says Allie Digweed (pictured) donating to Women’s Refuge as part of Christmas packs last year and gift baskets shared with the residents of Bream Bay retirement villages. PHOTO/SUPPLIED