When Sue Tomlin, owner of The Soap Shack in Limassol was asked by a customer where she could find Tea Tree Oil she reacted by buying in two small wooden racks of pure essential oils and a business, not to mention a new way of life was born.

Thirteen years ago Sue moved to the island with her husband to build a home and retire. Her comfortable life was then turned upside down shortly afterwards due to divorce. She found herself alone in an unfamiliar non EU country with the financial carpet literally pulled out from under her and admits “At times I did question myself, should I go back to the UK where I could at least work?

Could I survive? And maybe once to often it did take a lot of effort to keep going, however, there are thousands of ladies on the island that can identify with my past predicament, thousands that have had to deal with divorce or the death of their partner and life just must go on. I am lucky to have had and continue to have the support of Ruby who has helped throughout the bad times and who you will still find by my side today”. With literally no money to her name the only solution Sue could see at this time was to sell her belongings.

Much like the humble beginnings of Marks and Spencer when Michael Marks set up his penny bizarre stall in Leeds, Sue too headed for the markets to sell her wares. “At that time I was searching the house, having to sell my personal possessions as well as my mother’s old jewellery just to keep the bills paid and food on the table”

Although perhaps not a business at the time, just a means to an end, the stall evolved naturally and Sue responded to demand as all good businesses do. It was at the market that Sue was approached and asked where to find Tea Tree Oil.

Sue recalls “Naturally I suggested a pharmacy but that had already been tried and it got me to thinking that perhaps I could help. I’m always keen to learn about and understand what I’m selling so after internet and book research I bought my first essential oils. We still have the same wooden display racks in our new shop today”. From that moment onwards the business took on a life and character of its own. The essential oils were complimented by massage oils, soaps and healing crystals. Sue had lots of fun on the markets but admits “At 60 years old and being arthritic, the early mornings, cold winters and hot and dusty summers started to take their toll. I’d heard about premises that may be coming up so decided to take the plunge”.

“As with all property you get a feeling about the place, it just felt right.” Now, a year after the shops opening The Soap Shack is positively bustling with products, old and new and still Sue looks to her customers and friends for their needs and how she can help. On entering the shop your senses are assaulted by wonderful fragrances and vibrant colours and customers are encouraged to touch, smell and ask questions. The ambience is serene with an extensive range of natural beauty lotions and potions, bespoke gift baskets and of course the all important chat that goes with it. “We’ve tried to make the shop a little bit more than a shop, we like to think of it as a place where friends can meet or customers can come into and ask advice or just have a general chat over a coffee.

My aim is to make it into a place where people want to be and because of this the shop’s become a way of life” Sue’s drive is not just commendable but outstanding and it’s upstairs that this can be seen. The mezzanine is usually a hive of activity, Sue’s own oil paintings and motivational messages adorn the walls around the office work space and positivity flows throughout. For complete rejuvenation there are aromatherapy sessions, Reiki (natural healing) and Angel workshops making it a genuinely nice place to be. You can subscribe to The Soap Shack’s monthly newsletter or visit their website www.soapshack.eu but I’d recommend just popping in for a coffee and a look around, personally I took a feeling of serenity and a glow of positivity away with me from The Soap Shack and know a warm welcome awaits anyone who enter.

All businesses can take a leaf out of The Soap Shacks book and I think we all can take something away from Sue’s determination and positivity. At The Soap Shack the answer is yes! Just ask the question and if it can be done it will be done. Contact Sue: 99411013