Frabella's Roots
If you’ve ever wondered how Frabella came to be, then you’re in for a treat. The team recently sat down to discuss our roots, motivations and key learnings throughout the journey.
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.
Stay tuned for the next blog where we explore more about our wonderful owner - Angela.