If you’ve been to the Huntingdon Farmers’ Market recently, you may have run into Driftwood Naturals, an all-natural health and beauty shop. This business has been around for five years and is based in Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu; however, it is a frequent visitor to events in the Valley.
Originally started by a former Godmanchester resident, Melissa Ykema, Driftwood Naturals has picked up a lot of traction since its opening. Ykema’s partner, Bruno Diab, joined the team part-time while still working his full-time job. Within the first year, the demand was so high that he became a full-time member.
“Driftwood Naturals is all about being a small hand-made company, and we’re strong on price point,” Ykema says. Oftentimes people associate hand-created products with a high price point; however, the goal is to make these products as financially accessible as possible. With the connections it has built over the years, the company has been able to buy ingredients at low cost while never compromising on quality, ensuring customers get the best prices possible.
The products at Driftwood Naturals vary across the spectrum of home, relaxation, and self-care items, including essential oils, vegetable and massage oils, hair serums, solid shampoo and conditioner bars, soaps, soy candles, and more. Ykema says that the products are all-natural and adds, “That term ‘natural’ has been tossed around a lot. It’s really important that the buyer is aware of what ‘natural’ really means.” For Ykema and Diab, this means being biodegradable, organic, vegan, and cruelty free. Plus, all of the colours in their products come from botanicals like turmeric or rhubarb.
Ykema says that being environmentally conscious is of huge importance to them as well. Driftwood Naturals is committed to being a waste-free company. Packaging is made from recycled materials and every product is handmade. “We’re really conscientious of our footprint, so we’re not only sourcing raw materials of quality but also [from] as close to home as possible,” she says. This is good not only for the environment, but for the local economy also.
For Ykema, one of the most important things a business can offer its clients is transparency. Being from a small town, she shares that “My roots are here,” and she hopes to demonstrate how much a small business can do. “It’s important to show that the little guys can get ahead, but you can do it in transparency and honesty. We’re really clean, and we’re always happy to discuss.” Every product has an ingredient list on it, and she is always happy to talk with customers so they better understand what they’re using for their body and what they are looking for in clean-use goods.
This fall, the business will be expanding to a bigger industrial space. This will allow it to keep up with orders, and also to continue to sell raw materials to other creators as well.
Driftwood Naturals will be at the Pinehill Woolgathering in Hemmingford on September 14 and 15, and at the farmers’ market in Huntingdon on September 18. Their products are also available through the website, www.driftwoodnaturals.ca, and at over 30 distributors around Canada.