Member Showcase - Gridley’s Herbs and Aromatherapy

Submitted by Roxanne Carter

Gridley’s Herbs and Aromatherapy - owner Michelle Sauvé 

Michelle was inspired by her ornamental herb garden in the backyard of her home to begin making tea.  She then branched out to essential oils and soap making.  When she first started making soap there was very little information available, so she read a variety of books and began experimenting.

Michelle’s creativity is driven by scent and product type.  When she creates soap, she considers its purpose and then decides what oils and scents to use, the colours, and the type of design.  She may add exfoliants, pigments, and embeds, as well as including air brushing and stamping in the process.  The combinations are limitless.

Michelle registered her business in 2001 and did it part time while she was running a program in Restorative Justice in Toronto.  She began selling her products at craft fairs and had a booth at an herb festival when she was approached by a man who was very impressed with her products.  He asked if she could produce large quantities as he was the CEO of Purchasing at Chapter Indigo and was interested in carrying her line.  At that time, Michelle was a one-woman operation working out of her kitchen and was unable to produce on that large of a scale.  When her agency was eventually closed down due to funding cuts, she seized the opportunity to expand on her soap making business. 

Michelle found there were a lot of similarities in running a business and managing a non-profit organization. Both involved a focus on design, product development, and marketing.  Michelle applied those business skills in building a successful company.  It will be 10 years in April that she has been running Gridley’s full time.

Two years ago, Michelle participated in a craft show at the Dromoland Orchard & Stables and was approached by Debra Soule who encouraged her to join the Kawartha Lakes Arts and Heritage Trail.  It was then that Michelle’s long-term vision for Gridley’s was born.  Participating on the Trail, awareness of her store and products grown.  Most recently, Michelle was chosen as one of 6 artisans to participate in the City of Kawartha Lakes Knapsack Program, offering a sensory tour of her 75-variety herb garden and participants will learn how to create soap.  

Michelle is always open to exploring new ways of improving her business.  A soap maker friend from Quebec introduced her to the social media app Clubhouse where artisans and makers can participate in a wide variety of discussions on topics that are helpful in growing her business.  It’s like going to a conference without having to leave your home. Michelle is proud of her new website which she designed using Shopify. 

Check out gridleys.ca to see the wide range of herbal and fragrance-based products that Michelle has created or visit her shop at 219 Peniel Road, Woodville ON.