Time to … soap up!

Janice Creenaune meets interior designer Ellen Luck, who looked to her children for inspiration to create the Coalcliff Olive Co.

Ellen Luck displays exceptional energy and a determined outlook – enormous gifts to add to the experiences of her children, Jasper and Lilly.

It was her son, Jasper, who inspired her to create a business. After a surfboard accident, his acquired brain injury forced the family to re-evaluate their lives. This accident was not to define Jasper or any of the family, in fact, it has opened their lives to new opportunities. Jasper was indeed central, but the whole family contributed.

Olive trees were their first project and Covid offered a perfect opportunity to pickle olives.

“One day we pickled 52 jars in one day,” Ellen says. “And there was no end of customers.

“Whatever we made was sold immediately, often just outside our house. But we were slowed by the growing and pickling process, really just once a year. Soap, however, offered an opportunity for the entire year.”

So Ellen obtained her chemical licence and decided that soap-making was to be their chosen area. Despite Jasper’s epilepsy, Ellen was determined that he should learn the mechanics of a business.

“I really wanted Jasper to work towards independence, survival on a personal level, and gain skills in customer service and the behind-the-scenes business skills. I am so proud of both my children. They make it all look easy and customers warm to their efforts. I may set the standards for our products, but my children certainly show they are up to their tasks.

“We aim to sell more of the product at a lower price. The Coalcliff Olive Co. handmade soaps are palm-oil free. They contain no harsh chemicals and they won’t strip your skin of its natural oils. They use only natural ingredients to hydrate and nourish your skin. Colours are obtained by using natural clays, juices, herbs and spices with layers of essential oils to please the mind and senses.

“They are made by hand, with care and attention, in small batches in Coalcliff using the cold processed method and cured for four to six weeks with zero plastic for our ocean and earth.”

With a mission statement such as this, it is no wonder the Coalcliff Olive Co. has become an award-winning brand in high demand.

“We recently won awards in the ‘TOP 10 gifts for Sydney under $50’. We were chuffed to be chosen. We may only be a small family business, but it is amazing to be recognised. We grow our own lemongrass and rosemary, and have lemon from our lemon trees, and olives, of course, or we source other products sustainably. Customers are definitely looking for this. But, ultimately, it is the excitement of creating something new, the creative element is the essence of our business.”

It is no easy process to make cold process soap. It has to dry at various stages, and saponification (a process that involves the conversion of fat, oil, or lipid, into soap) has to be managed, and then moulding and presentational cuts.

The business occupies Ellen’s every waking moment, every single day.

“The markets are time-consuming and the website also needs continual maintenance,” Ellen says. “The recipes are important; the different oils for different skins and different purposes. The cocoa butter hydrates the skin and hemp oil is good for many different purposes, just as an example.”

The soaps are also sold locally at Earth Walker & Co in Coledale and Thirroul Collective.

“People are asking for support and we pride ourselves on being able to offer advice for the best use of our soaps.” Ellen exudes the pride needed for a successful business, and together with her ‘secret recipes’, her generous spirit and her multi-skilled and enthusiastic children, their business is flourishing.

“Our website and online shop are also very busy in times of contact-less Covid, and our products are very popular for teachers’ gifts, Christmas and other special occasions,” Ellen says.

The website at www.coalcliffoliveco.com is as beautiful as the hand-made products it exhibits.

Ellen and her children, Jasper and Lilly, are showing the way in very difficult times, exhibiting a pride and joy in their products and business.
It can’t help but be a success.

Writer Janice Creenaune is a volunteer for the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation Australia. Email janicecreenaune@gmail.com