QUALITY THE ESSENCE OF A CONTINUING SUCCESS STORY

March 15, 2004

The homesteading grandmothers of Hazlet farmers Kathy Olsgard and Heather Ellis made soap because they had no choice. Olsgard and Ellis made soap as Christmas gifts because there were no crops in 1988. When Hazlet rancher Janice Stock joined them the following Christmas and then at a sold-out soap-making demonstration at the 1990 Swift Current fair, they knew they were on to something more than Christmas gifts for family and friends.

"People at the demonstration were so intrigued with the smell and consistency of our soap, we sold our entire supply. Soon after that we formed our company and registered the name "Sandhills Essence." Our workshop is the two-storey homestead on our property, which is on the edge of the Great Sand Hills, a big part of our life," says Stock.

Saskatchewan products are a big part of Sandhills Essence: "By using agricultural products, we tried to keep it as Saskatchewan as possible. All three of us were always firm about that. We're always hearing about value-adding right now, but Sandhills Essence has been value-adding for 14 years."

A value-added soap was just the beginning. Soon the product line was expanded to include skin care products, bath supplies and candles. The Saskatchewan ingredients include oats, oils, coriander and mineral salts. Everything is 100 per cent natural, which means there are no preservatives or other additives that so often cause allergic reactions.

"People with allergies are just amazed by our products. They work. One woman with a terrible skin problem tried our soap even though she didn't think it would help, and she came back to us in tears of gratitude," says Stock.

Media attention "catapulted" Sandhills Essence into success immediately, but a quality product ensured that it continued. A year after the company was formed, its partners started attending wholesale gift shows, where their product also drew attention. As a result, the partners were able to leave the craft sector behind and sell their products through retail outlets across Western Canada.

About four years ago, a Web site was also established - www.sandhillsessence.com - but it hasn't been a huge sales vehicle for the company. Few orders are received through it. Still, says Stock, the pictures of the products do lead to phone calls and, eventually, some orders.

About the same time, in 2000, Stock bought out her partners.

"We had 12 great years together. Kathy and Heather wanted to do other things, and we parted as friends. We're pretty proud of that. Their departure has changed the dynamics of the business, however. I do everything now - with some help from my husband - but my time is more flexible, so there are positive and negative aspects.

I do enjoy the business, however. It's an on-farm job - that was the point in the first place: we created a job for ourselves when there were no crops - and it gives me another life. So I encourage others to set up businesses in rural Saskatchewan. Not only does it provide an income, it is very rewarding," says Stock.