Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Fall 2019 Edition | Page 27

FEATURE BUSINESS
Soco
Soaps
Work-life balance isn’t just a lofty goal
in Fernie, it’s the ultimate ideal. Karey
Pion, founder of Soco Soaps, may have
found the secret to this elusive dream
and she’s poured her heart and soul into
it for the past decade.
Started as a hobby when Pion moved
to the tiny community of Elko, Soco
Soaps is now a thriving success story
with a micro-production factory in
Fernie and product stocked in 40
locations in 5 provinces across Canada.
Initially, Pion’s soaps were just for
personal use and gifts for friends,
but their popularity quickly grew.
She began to sell them at the weekly
summer Baynes Lake Market and at
Carosella (a former gift shop in Fernie)
and slowly expanded production, seeing
an opportunity to build an income from
home when she had her first daughter,
Evyr, in 2011.
By the time second daughter Luna
came along in 2014, the business had
grown to a full-time endeavour. Space
and practicality necessitated formal
premises, so a storefront and small-
scale production facility became a
reality at 1561 10th Ave in Fernie. Pion
is there most days, brewing batches
of sweet-smelling treats that look
good enough to eat (although she
recommends that you don’t try a bite)
and then hitting the local markets on
the weekends.
Body creams, chapstick and bath-
bombs expanded the product line
around 2 years ago and she recently
introduced shampoo and conditioner
bars. Pion is passionate about keeping
her products as natural as possible,
using ingredients like olive oil, coconut
oil, sustainable palm oil and natural
essential oils, and all products are
free of phthalates and parabens.
Experimenting with fragrance blends
and adding a touch of whimsy keeps
things fun for Pion and her team of
helpers. Call to ask about bath bomb
parties for ages 8+.
Socosoaps.com | 250-423-1724
Soco Soaps
27