Liz Valek has been in the body-care industry for nearly 40 years, running Clover Fields; Australia’s oldest family-owned soap mill. They were the first Australian company to make non-tallow soap, and the first to encourage the packaging-free display of naked soap bars, having a minimal-waste brand since 1983.
The business was started with a kitchen-cook-up of homemade soaps and has powered into decades of domestic success, global export and an incredible list of clients (and friends) from all sectors of business.
A large part of Liz’s business is her contract manufacture/private label, and she has made bespoke soaps for major companies in Australia and around the world.
Geneva – Liz’s daughter – joined the company after half a decade in the music industry, with hopes of bringing a fresh new perspective, and together with their fabulous team they have developed Shampoo With A Purpose (SWAP).
They pride themselves on their fully eco-sustainable, natural and harm-free products with Australian-sourced ingredients preferred. They don’t test on animals, are 100% Australian-made, and they don’t use any harsh chemicals that harm your skin or the environment. They will be making affordable and quality Australian products for years to come.
Liz had been told that processing shampoo bars on the machinery they use would be impossible, but nevertheless she persisted and the company has since become the first and only one to process shampoo/conditioner bars on triple-milling, commercial machinery. Their unique manufacturing process has made one of their bars worth up to six bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and ensures that they hold their integrity in the shower. No mush!
Liz and her team didn’t want to release a product full of nasties, so their formulation took a long time to develop – and they did not cut corners on quality; they’ve ended up with a beautiful, naturally lathering bar with no harsh chemicals, no added palm oil products, sulphates or animal by-products. And it’s pH balanced for use on scalp and hair! Their shampoo bars have now saved over 2,000,000 shampoo and conditioner bottles from being made and used, a number that is rapidly increasing with your help!
After achieving the “impossible”, they had to create their brand – they wanted to do something fun and fresh with a tonne of added personality. Every box is covered in hand-drawn pictures of friends and family, along with plenty of education around their product and mission – to provide a simple and easy option to help reduce plastic consumption in the shower.
Liz and her dedicated team believe that they’ve not only managed to make a plastic-free alternative but that they’ve made a lovely natural improvement on customers’ regular hair care.
This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Shampoo With a Purpose.
