The Calgary Small Business Awards CPHR Alberta People’s Choice: Bowness Soapworks

Melba Seto, the owner, maker and adventurer behind Bowness Soapworks, is celebrating a significant achievement: winning the CPHR Alberta People's Choice Award at the 2024 Calgary Small Business Awards. This win represents not only her hard work, but the growing recognition of small businesses in the community. What started as a side project to fund her dream of opening a pottery studio by renting out a room on Airbnb unexpectedly transformed into a successful soap-making venture. Today, with successful workshops, wilderness experiences and their Soap Club subscriptions, Bowness Soapworks has become a beloved fixture in the Calgary community, blending artisanal soap with the spirit of adventure.

An unexpected venture

Officially registering Bowness Soapworks in 2020, Melba shares that the business is now in its fifth year of operation. What started as a personal project to fund a dream of opening a pottery studio blossomed into a successful business. Melba’s journey to entrepreneurship was not a straight path, though. For over a decade, she saved money for a pottery studio, only to have it disappear for various reasons, such as car breakdowns and the demands of raising a family.

"Every time I would save the money for a studio in the garage, something would happen," she says.

In an unexpected twist, Melba began renting out a room through Airbnb, offering handmade soaps to all her guests.

"I wanted them to have a little bar of soap. Growing up, if you went to a hotel, it was the fanciest soap. I always thought it was so special," she recalls. Offering a personalized soap to her guests soon led to requests from others who wanted to buy her soap.

“People would ask ‘do you sell this soap? Do you make bigger bars?’ And I’m like, ‘no this is just for you. Please leave me a good review so I can save money for my pottery studio.'"

With her small side project quickly turning into something much larger, she began to post content on her personal social media of her soap-making. Bowness Soapworks soon came to fruition.

From humble beginnings to local champion

Winning the People’s Choice Award has been a milestone in Melba’s journey, and she plans to use the recognition to further her mission of supporting small businesses.

"By winning the People’s Choice Award, I'm going to milk it for all it's worth," she says with a smile. But it’s more than just the trophy—it’s about leveraging her platform to promote other local businesses.

As a champion for small businesses, Melba points to the struggles that many in the community have endured.

"So many have shut down since the pandemic, and it’s so sad. That’s why I’m an advocate for supporting small businesses.”

With this award offering a new way to highlight her success, Melba also shares how she hopes to use it to elevate the businesses that share her values.

"I'm going to be taking this award and using it to highlight the businesses that I endorse," she explains. The People’s Choice Award isn’t just for her; it's a shared victory for the local small business community.

The power of community support

With an approach grounded in collaboration and community, Melba looks back fondly at the people in the community who helped her along the way.

“I remember dropping my soaps off at The Bownesian Grocer. My heart was racing, and I walked in there with my handmade basket and two babies and the owner bought my soaps.”

Sharing how the owner patiently sat with her and explained UPC codes and the process of stocking items, Melba was immediately grateful for the interaction and left feeling empowered to continue reaching out to others to carry her soap.

“It was just another way to learn about the power of how small businesses really support each other.”

Her philosophy extends to her own business practices, which are rooted in collaboration rather than competition.

"I teach soap-making workshops in Calgary, and I’m the first mobile soap-making workshop company," she shares proudly.

"I choose local retailers that I collaborate well with and people who also believe in the same goal of finding ways to help each other and work together."

Partnering with local businesses to offer workshops and products, Melba prioritizes fostering a mutually supportive ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.

“If I can do it, so can they”

As Bowness Soapworks continues to grow, Melba has big plans for the future. Her dream is to employ a team of people, particularly from marginalized or underserved communities, such as youth at risk or those with disabilities.

"I would love to have payroll employees, people who need the support," she says. "That’s my five-to-ten-year goal."

She also envisions expanding into more adventure-based retreats, where participants can learn traditional skills like pottery, soap-making and foraging.

"I would love to have a resort where people can come and learn things that we’ve forgotten how to do," she explains. "Like making bread, making pottery and building fire."

Despite the challenges of starting and growing a business, Melba remains deeply passionate about the impact of small businesses. She urges people to share their experiences, recommend businesses to friends and spread the word about the value that small businesses bring to the community.

"Take the chance to speak up for the small businesses you care about," she encourages. "People don’t realize the impact of a Google review, good or bad. Just telling people to support small businesses is huge."

Melba’s award win is not just a personal triumph, but also a victory for the community of small businesses in Calgary.

"I want people to look at my win and think, 'If Melba can win, I can too,'" she says.

"It’s about showing people that we’re all on the same level. We’re all working hard to make this happen, and if I can do it, so can they."

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To learn more about Bowness Soapworks, visit bownesssoapworks.com. See the full list of winners from the 41st Calgary Small Business Awards.

Small Business Week is proudly presented by our Small Business Pillar Partner, Rogers Business. To learn more, visit: calgarychamber.com/small-business.