Ep10: Building a Sustainable Skincare Brand with Isabelle Guilmette
In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Isabelle Guilmette, the heart behind Washboard Soapery & Such—a natural soap and personal care brand that started with a DIY deodorant and evolved into a 130+ SKU product line.
What began as a passion project in her kitchen grew into a thriving, values-driven business rooted in beauty, slowness, and integrity.
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcast
What happens when your deodorant doesn’t sell—but your soap does?
That’s where Isabelle Guilmette’s story begins. What followed was an evolution from solo craftsperson to full-on founder of Washboard Soapery & Such, a Calgary-based brand known for its handmade soaps, refill stations, and rustic, grounded aesthetic.
In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, Isabelle shares how she stayed true to her values while slowly building a business that reflects her life, her needs, and her community. We talk about product testing at markets, bouncing back from disasters, and why it’s okay to grow slowly—if it means doing it right.
This episode dives into:
Changing labels from paper to nylon inspired Isabelle to create refill centers where people could reuse their packaging for a longer period of time and reduce waste with new labels.
Gauging packaging stock to ensure you have enough for production is essential.
Figuring out pricing when you're ready to go into retail can be challenging, but doing the math it is worth it, so find the best way to launch in retail.
A must-listen for founders who want to build something sustainable, soul-led, and collaborative. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that slow growth, strong systems, and staying rooted in your why are not just nice-to-haves—they’re how you build something that lasts.
Key Takeaways
🧼 How a single DIY deodorant sparked a full personal care line
🌱 The importance of slow, organic growth—especially in a saturated market
🤝 Why collaboration, community, and listening are key to evolving with purpose
💥 How unexpected challenges (a flood + health crisis) became turning points
🔁 The power of systems that support your health, values, and creativity
✨ Why beauty isn’t just surface-level—it’s how you show care, depth, and intention
Memorable Moments
✨“This brand was born from necessity—but it bloomed from love.” — Isabelle
✨ The story of how a flooded studio pushed her to rebuild smarter, not harder
✨ Isabelle’s reflections on being a solo founder who thrives through community and systems
✨ Her approach to branding as care—through touch, scent, storytelling, and texture
✨ How hospitalization became a moment of radical clarity, reshaping how she works and lives
What You’ll Hear:
The product that didn’t take off (spoiler: it wasn’t soap)
Why soap unexpectedly became her hero product
How Isabelle turned personal rituals into a multi-category brand
What happened when her studio flooded—and how she rebuilt
The journey from solo production to starting delegation
Why she’s unapologetic about slow, purposeful growth
Branding beyond the visual — how scent, texture, and story create emotional connection and lasting impressions
Catch the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts for more insights on building resilient brands that connect.
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