Starter Company Plus Spotlight – Bishop Botanicals
Passionate, knowledgeable and community centered is how we’d describe the mother daughter duo (Susan + Nicole) that is Bishop Botanicals. Bishop Botanicals is a local cruelty-free beauty brand that creates plant-powered face and body products aimed at empowering you to feel good from soul to skin. Their products come in stunning black and white vessels and every ingredient is intentional, uncomplicated, and nourishing. When you meet the pair, you’ll fall in love with their dynamic energy and passion for all that is local. True gems!
Pop by their shop in-person at 231 Hurontario Street in Collingwood or peruse their e-commerce shop to check out all products and offerings. Learn more about Susan + Nicole through the Q+A below.
We are happy to have them both in our 2022 Starter Company Plus cohort.
What is your favourite part about being an entrepreneur?
Susan: The autonomy and freedom.
Nicole: The creative aspect and the freedom to make decisions that align with our vision as well as community.
What inspired you to start your business?
Susan: After two cancer diagnoses I decided to go back to school to learn how to formulate skin, hair & body care products that didn’t compromise my health. I wanted to create a line that offered youth-boosting benefits & nourishing ingredients that I could share with other people who were looking for other options.
Nicole: I had struggled with acne for most of my life as well as anxiety. When my mother started creating skincare, it completely changed my skin for the better. I realized the difference that feeling good in your skin can make. Not just to your complexion but also to your mental & emotional well-being. I joined her on this journey because I believe whole-heartedly in what we are creating.
What services or products do you offer? Plant-powered, certified cruelty free, skin, hair and body care products. Tarot Readings, and Tarot and Oracle cards.
Who do you look up to for ideas and inspiration?
Nicole: There are so many incredible local entrepreneurs who I am happy to say have become close friends. They inspire me all the time.
Susan: I look to our clients. Their stories, their needs & overall feedback really helps me to connect to why I do what I do & what I want to continue to create & offer.
What is your favourite product you’ve ever made?
Nicole: Face & Eye Serum. It feels so good & has had an incredible impact on the texture & overall look of my skin. I won’t go without it.
Susan: The Brightening Serum. I use it every morning & every night on my face. It has so many nutrient-rich ingredients that help even skin tone & give you an overall glow.
What is your favourite thing to do as a mother-daughter duo?
Aside from working together, we like to watch movies, go out to eat & go for drives around the area.
What is unique about your business?
The fact that we are a mother & daughter duo, aside from that, we are really big on the education piece behind our products. When you buy skincare from us or come into the shop, you are talking to the people who have actually made the products, which is why we are big on offering information & also giving people the full experience of who we are & why we do what we do. We are also certified cruelty-free with Leaping Bunny & PETA.
Why South Georgian Bay? What keeps you here?
We are from here & love being here! The area itself is beautiful & we couldn’t imagine not living close to the water. The community here is incredible & there is so much to see & do, whether it’s right in Collingwood or a short drive to any of the surrounding towns.
What’s one work-related skill that you’d like to develop, especially if you could do it easily?
Susan: Public speaking. I find it hard to be up in front of large groups of people.
Nicole: Finance anything. Numbers are not my strong suit!
What are your favourite local spots to visit on a day off?
Susan: I love going to see movies at the movie theatre, I love going to Al Carbon for dinner, Press Market for lunch & smoothies, Mylar & Lorettas for breakfast, & driving to some of the other areas like Creemore or Thornbury to walk around & check out their shops.
Nicole: I love going to sit or walk by the water or any of the local trails. If I’m in Collingwood I like to sit & work at Gibson’s, I love grabbing gluten free treats at Gluten Free Me, Press Juice for smoothies, Press Market for lunch. If I’m in Thornbury I like to stop at Good Grief & Pom Pom for vegan ice cream.
What is your favorite weekend trip?
We both love to go to Toronto for the weekend when we can. We like to walk around the city & do some shopping, go to the AGO, the ROM & other galleries or shows.
What movie can you re-watch over and over again?
Susan: There are many movies I can mention here, it just depends on what I’m feeling. I love Hope Floats, Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice.
Nicole: I love movies so this is hard to nail down. Batman Returns, Alien, Pride & Prejudice, Little Women.
___
Reach out! They’d love to hear from you.
Instagram: @bishopbotanicals
Website: www.bishopbotanicals.com
Phone Number: 705-718-4112
Email: info@bishopbotanicals.com