Fall for Local: Lone Goat Soap Co. makes all-natural alternatives to chemical-laden soaps

In anticipation of Fall For Local’s biannual pop-up market, taking place on October 22 at the Pipe Shop Building (115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver), we’re getting to know some of the fair’s 70-plus independent designers and small-business owners.

Today, we meet Victoria Jacyshyn, soap-maker and founder of Lone Goat Soap Co.

Who are you

I’m Victoria, owner of Lone Goat Soap Co. When I’m not working in the studio, I fill my days with dog walks, tea drinking, snack-making, and adventures.

What’s with the name

“Lone Goat” refers to a mountain in the Pemberton area. Right away, I knew I wanted to use a base of locally sourced goat’s milk for my soaps due to its nourishing properties. I felt that the mountain’s name was a great way to tie this into my branding.

Describe your craft

Soap-making is like a creative chemistry experiment. Creating new bars takes a lot of trial and error to determine how different essential oils, dried herbs, and other ingredients will blend together.

I allow my bars to cure for at least four weeks before selling them. This can be tricky when creating new types because if it doesn’t work out the first time, I have to wait another four weeks to test out a new batch.

I think that’s what I enjoy the most out of it: the anticipation of testing out new bars. It’s so satisfying when you finally get the right combination and everything works out!

Business philosophy

Lone Goat soap is made using natural ingredients and this is the most important aspect of my business to me.

People are very focused on healthy eating and making conscious choices when it comes to food, but a lot of people overlook what they’re putting on their body. It takes less than 30 seconds for chemicals put on your skin to enter into the bloodstream. It’s also important to consider what we’re putting into the water source.

I also like to support other local businesses by including interesting ingredients I find from the area: honey from Laughing Crow Organics in Pemberton, tea from Namasthé Tea Co. in Whistler, and dried herbs from Pemberton Distillery, to name a few. It’s nice to know exactly where an ingredient came from and to support someone in my local community.

Claim to fame

Different people are drawn to different products based on scents and benefits. However, my most popular bar with both customers and myself has to be the CLAY BAR.

This cleansing bar features glacial clay from Vancouver Island and tea tree oil. The clay helps draw out any toxins from your pores and the tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic which makes this bar great for anyone, but especially great for people with skin issues. It’s used just like a regular soap bar on your body, face and hands.

Favourite item handmade by you

My current market display has to be my favourite handmade item. All of my stockists and market booths display the sample bars in a piece of driftwood that I’ve drilled holes into to hold the bars.

I have received help from a few awesome friends to create these pieces in the past but my latest one was the first one I did all by myself. I’m not the most skilled when it comes to power tools, so I’m quite proud of my creation.

Sending local love to…

Wow such a tough thing, as there are so many talented makers in the area. I really couldn’t pinpoint who my favourite is! One maker I have been recently introduced to is the very kind and talented Simone from Ghost Mountain Co.

Her pottery is so interesting, especially her botanical mugs. I really love the colours she uses, and the detail she puts into her work is amazing. Now I just need to save up and buy my own house so I can stock my cupboards with her work! I love my roommates but I don’t trust them with pottery…

Tickets to Fall For Local are $3 in advance online or $5 (cash only) at the door. For more information about the event, or to purchase tickets, click here.