HOMEmaker

■ Verdel Bishop

verdel.bishop@trinidadexpress.com

DAYCHELLE MORRIS knows how to turn anything she touches into a full-fledged business. The founder behind Ginger Lily Organics TT, a soap business that came to fruition in 2020, is committed to her business wholeheartedly while also being conscious of the environment.

But Morris is more than just a soap maker. She is a creative and enterprising businesswoman who has used her skills as a balloon artiste to launch her first business, Belissima Balloons, through which she also teaches classes on the art of balloon décor.

She is also the founder of Delectable Delights, offering her clients creative fruit arrangements for special occasions. And as a glitter tattoo artist, the Carnival season is the platform she uses to showcase her creativity to a large clientele.

In a telephone interview with the Express recently, Morris said she enjoys being an entrepreneur; however, she got into the business of soap making quite by accident. 'I have always been entrepreneurial. Being an entrepreneur involves tremendous hard work and sacrifice. Long hours, longer nights, significant investment, and time to build your brand and marketing. However, if you love what you do, it's rewarding.

'I have always had an interest in decor, cakes, flowers and stuff. I have since retired from the decorating industry, and this is a relaxing business or hobby for me. I am a passionate person with creative flair.

'During the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, I wanted to make pretty soaps for my bathroom. I enjoyed making the soaps for my home, and then the next natural step for me was to create a business.

'As an avid hiker, I was inspired by the beautiful waterfalls, lush scenery and indigenous flowers of our country, such as the ginger lily. I decided to celebrate my love for the ginger lily by naming my soap business after the vibrantly coloured tropical flower,' Morris said.

Morris said protecting and preserving the environment is one of her fundamental pillars. 'Our packaging is as eco-friendly as possible to reduce our carbon footprint. We are doing our part to protect, preserve and conserve the environment.'

She added, 'Ginger Lily Organics TT celebrates the flora and fauna of the Caribbean with our organic line of soaps, body butters, foot balms and eco-soy candles. Our products are all handmade, vegan, cruelty-free, and Caribbean-scented. We have local scents such as cocoa butter, cashmere, guava, cocoa lily, coffee, bamboo, sugar cane, and much more.

As an animal advocate, Morris also came up with a line of pet soaps. Morris said all of her soaps are organic, and the ingredients used have healing properties.

'It was not until I started making artisan soaps that I realised that, as Caribbean women, we have so many issues with our skin. Foreign brands tend to be too harsh for our skin, and organic products are gentler, more effective, and more environmentally friendly,' Morris said.

Morris also established a series of soap-making workshops for beginners and those at advanced levels to teach those who are interested in creating a lubricative niche market for themselves.

'Once you have a liking for it, you will certainly enjoy it. Crafting is a great way to have fun, feel a sense of accomplishment, make gifts for family and friends, customise your own product,' she said.

Morris is based in Chaguanas and uses her social media platforms to advertise her soaps and workshops. To purchase Ginger Lily Organics soaps, once an order is placed, there are collection points at Long Circular Mall, St James. There is also a collection point for her Central customers via TTPost. Collection locations in the South and East will be available soon.

Morris's soaps have reached Canada, New York and England. 'Through family and friends, my soaps have reached far and wide. I am thankful for the growth of Ginger Lily Organics. I certainly do it with love and with the pride of creating quality locally-made products that I am proud of and my customers are happy with,' Morris said.

CELEBRATING CARIBBEAN FLORA, FAUNA: Daychelle Morris

Strawberry champagne body butter.

Tropical turmeric soap.

Whipped shea body butter.