A look behind the Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain Soap Company has experienced rapid growth as of late. This includes moving to a new factory in August 2015, which we were fortunate enough to tour.

The factory resides a few blocks from the main road in Canmore and was renovated with sustainability in mind. A rooftop solar array, recycled denim insulation, and 100-year-old lamps salvaged from a Quaker mill in Saskatoon are some of the many touches that make this factory sustainable.

Founders Karina Birch and Cam Beaty feel it’s important to uphold a work-life balance and supportive work environment for their employees. Upon entering the workspace at Rocky Mountain HQ, it’s immediately obvious. Staff enjoy weekly yoga classes together, and leftover decorations from the company’s 15th birthday party – a Quinceañera theme – still pepper the office.

There’s a small concrete building just down the street from the factory. At one time, this tiny space held all of production. Now, full of colourful sights and smells, it’s where all of Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s bars of soap are mixed and set.

One of the first things you notice as you walk through the production areas of the factory is the smell. Lemongrass, coconut, vanilla and peppermint waft in and out of the air. Rocky Mountain Soap Company uses ingredients that are as good for the earth as they are for our bodies – so when the packaging says “all-natural,” it’s not being taken lightly.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company started as a husband and wife selling handmade soaps from a single location in Canmore. It’s since grown to include 11 other locations in Alberta, B.C. and Manitoba, and their products are carried by dozens of vendors across Canada.

The company has come a long way in 16 years, and the brand’s messaging has done a lot of growing up too. For example, the gift boxes’ subdued tones and watercolour artwork replaced the loud colours and shiny ribbons – giving the packaging a spa-like “grown-up” feeling.

Rocky Mountain Soap Company sells products that it feels proud making, and focusses more on how good the products are instead of the toxins that aren’t in them. The rebrand also introduced the concept of toxin-free store design, where the retail locations are built as sustainably as the products sold within.

TAKE ACTION:

1. Tours are now available to the public. Click here to book a tour today!
2. Drop by a Rocky Mountain Soap Company location in Alberta, B.C., or Manitoba.
3. Shop, read reviews and watch product tutorial videos on the online store.
4. Follow Rocky Mountain Soap Company on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
5. Sign up for their newsletter to receive new product news and special deals.
6. Click here to review Rocky Mountain Soap Company’s Sustainability Profile on our directory.