Frabella's Founder
We thought it was more than about time that we introduce you to the brains behind the magic. Meet Angela - soap connoisseur and beloved goat mother!
Could you tell us about what led you to start Frabella?
I knew that fresh, raw goat’s milk had amazing qualities, not only for your health, but also for your gut health. It’s great for people with any sensitivities and honestly, I just wanted to share the miracle that I’d come across.
I had a few milking goats that were sometimes producing up to 8L of milk per day. However, before legislation changes in 2018, I was unable to sell milk without huge investment and regulation rules. So, I looked at alternatives. What else could I make using their milk? After researching, I started making soaps and moisturisers. I love it! It felt like I was playing a mad scientist.
What was your mission when you started Frabella?
Once you start making soaps, moisturiers and other skincare products, you learn that not all ‘natural and organic’ products are equal. Some don’t have a high quantity of natural ingredients at all. When narrowing this down to goat milk skincare, many products contain little or even no goats milk at all.
I wanted to break the distrust in the natural skincare industry. My mission was to use truly natural, simple ingredients that cleanse without drying the skin - this allows us to keep a natural layer of moisture. I also endeavoured to add as much raw goat’s milk as possible so that people could realise the skincare miracles it performs - exactly why Cleopatra bathed in it!
What’s behind the name Frabella?
It comes from my two daughters, Frances and Bella. Put them together and you get, Frabella! Plus, it sounds super fancy when you say it with an accent!
What motivates you to keep going with Frabella?
Knowing that I’m helping people either their skin, healing with natural products and that it genuinely makes a difference in people’s lives. From clearing up teen skin to help self-confidence, to healing eczema and skin irritations without steroids and chemicals that come with side-effects. Frabella works to better people’s lives and I’m grateful to be a part of that.
In addition to that, I also love my goats. Working the land and taking care of animals in way that produces beautiful, natural products is more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.
I also love investigating herbs and botanicals, learning about their benefits to make Frabella’s products that much more effective. It’s exciting and motivating.
Where do you see Frabella Soaps in five years? Ten years?
My big dream would be to expand and offer the community free classes to make their own products, grow their own food and become self-sustaining.
I’d also love to grow as many of the required ingredients on the farm including botanicals, herbs and other natural remedies. Plus, growing would mean that I would have more time to home and rescue unwanted animals which has always been a value of mine.
What has been your biggest failure with Frabella? What did you learn from it?
Do not trust the ‘so-called’ experts who claim to help triple your business growth. They did nothing but cost me a lot and cause stress. I’ve learned to do my homework - that’s the great thing about Google!
If you could speak to your younger self, just starting out with Frabella, what advice would you give her?
Don’t waste money on things you think will be easy wins. Research, focus on your purpose and stay true to yourself and the journey.
In terms of things that help your business run, what could you not live without?
Goats! My girls are such dear animals and without their milk, there is no goat milk soap.
What is your favourite thing about being a business owner?
In all honesty, when I’m working on Frabella, I’m doing something that I love. I have the freedom to be creative and share what I’m working on with, not only the people around me, but anyone in the world who comes across Frabella Soaps.
What is something that you’re passionate about and why?
Growing our own food and becoming self-sufficient. It’s good for our health because we know where our food has come from, trust that nothing has been treated with chemicals and that all animals had a full and happy life. It’s also good for reducing our carbon footprints and looking after the environment that we live in.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I really wanted to be a vet and help animals. But, it turns out I didn’t have the blood for it.
Was there ever a time that you wanted to quit? How did you overcome this.
No, not at all. Quitting has never even crossed my mind. When you’re passionate about something, giving up is never an option.
How do you personally define business success?
To me, business success is running a profitable AND environmentally sustainable business. Although money keeps things afloat, to me, success is running a business with strong ethics. I want to support, not only our staff and their families, but the wider community, with opportunities, sharing, education and general help to strengthen future generations.
Do you have any cute or funny stories about the Frabella goats?
There are SO many - it’s hard to narrow it down, but I do have a couple that come to mind.
One time, my partner came home to the buck sitting on the couch in the lounge. To this day we have absolutely zero clue how he got there. And yes, it took weeks to get the smell out…
Also, trying to take selfies with the goats in general is always entertaining. It literally never turns out well. So many want to eat my ears, my hair, even the camera. It’s like working with children honestly!
What is your top tip to achieving a healthy work life balance?
I know it sounds cliche but doing what you love is key to helping with a work life balance. Find time for yourself, something you enjoy. Personally, I love working on the farm. Sometimes it’s just me, sometimes with the kids, the goats, the sheep or the dogs in tow. But either way, when I’m up there with the goats it doesn’t feel like work - I truly enjoy it.
I also achieve work-life balance by doing something that is truly rewarding. In a nutshell, I love planting vegetables and herbs, and watching them grow over time.
