Robyn Mair and Monika Scott did not mess around in mommy group. Just one day after meeting in the new mothers’ community in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, B.C., they decided to become business partners.
They started a cleaning service, working for vacation rentals and commercial spaces. But they encountered a major problem.
The chemicals in the cleaning products they were using affected their health, to the point that Mair had scarring in her lungs.
So the two pivoted to formulating eco-friendly cleaning products and Mint Cleaning Products was born.
With profits from the cleaning business, then later an e-commerce system and loans from BDC, the products business has experienced rapid growth, providing products for the local hospitality industry, from small vacation rentals to hotels. The business doubled last year and is projected to reach $4.4 million in sales at the end of this year, with 16-per-cent profit, Mint Cleaning says.
And they are set to film on CBC’s Dragons’ Den entrepreneurial pitch show this week.
The global household cleaning products market is projected to grow from about US$270 billion in 2024 to $380 billion in 2032, according to market analyst Fortune Business Insights, and increasing demand for natural products is fuelling the industry’s growth.
Here, the mothers and co-founders collaborate to share the ebbs and flows they’ve experienced in entrepreneurship, as well as how they give back to mothers and caregivers in need.
How did your company, Mint, come to be established?
“Our journey began in 2017 when we crossed paths at a mom’s group, instantly forming a deep friendship that led us to decide the very next day to embark on a business partnership.
Frustrated by the harmful effects of conventional cleaners – Robyn even had scarring on her lung – we transitioned to eco-friendly alternatives, meticulously crafting formulations through late-night experimentation.
Encouraged by growing interest on Instagram, we launched an e-commerce platform, propelling Mint products to over 200 retail locations across Canada.
Despite initial challenges balancing family, business, and product development, we handed our cleaning business to our manager at the time. We felt guilty about leaving our clients, as there is such demand in Ucluelet, that we wanted to make sure they would be left in good hands. So our manager took over in agreement she would keep our full client list as well as use Mint Cleaning Products exclusively.
And we focused entirely on expanding our product line. Our dedication paid off with awards, media features, and the opening of the Mint flagship store in Ucluelet.
Our profit is 16 per cent and we employ 11 full-time staff in Ucluelet. We do our distribution and some product creation from this location and also have a flagship retail store in the front. We manufacture six of our products in B.C. at a Kelowna facility and are in over 200 retail stores.
We won a Small Business BC Excellence in E-Commerce award in 2023, have written a book, Swap it for Mint, and are headed to appear before [CBC’s] Dragons’ Den [entrepreneurial pitch show] this weekend.
During the first few years of business, how did you manage initial challenges?
“The journey with our cleaning products certainly had its hurdles, but we initially funded them through profits from our cleaning business. As we expanded, we turned to Shopify and BDC loans for support.
With sales from our e-commerce or direct-to-consumer, wholesale partners and commercial partners (hotels and Airbnbs), our sales grew from just over $500,000 in 2021, to $1.2 million in 2022, to $2.5 million in 2023. We are projected to reach $4.4 million at the end of 2024.
Learning to scale up by purchasing in large quantities, relocating to larger spaces, and tirelessly negotiating better shipping rates, including arranging pickups from Canada Post, UPS, and Canpar, became essential strategies. Personally, juggling motherhood [Robyn with twins and Monika with three children] and two thriving businesses proved demanding.
In 2021, we made the tough call to hand over the cleaning business to fully focus on our product venture, hiring additional staff to reclaim time for family and personal pursuits. Setting boundaries remains a perpetual challenge.”
Have you always both had an entrepreneurial spirit, and if so, how did you share your different entrepreneurial dynamics so that they mesh well?
“Both of us possessed entrepreneurial spirits from a young age, delving into various businesses. Robyn managed her own hair studio, while Monika had a home daycare.
Perhaps it’s luck or destiny, but disagreements on business matters are rare between us. Despite our differences, we recognize each other’s strengths and entrust specific responsibilities accordingly.
This division of roles allows us to operate smoothly without clashing on decisions. Our shared mission and beliefs further strengthen our business relationship, fostering a harmonious and effective partnership.”
How did you manage the growth of your business?
“Striking while the iron’s hot and embracing opportunities propelled our business to rapid growth. The excitement and high we experience from this growth fuel our ability to manage it effectively because we’re deeply invested and thrilled.
Fortunately, we’ve assembled an incredible team whose support enables us to keep saying yes and making things happen.
However, this success comes with its challenges. The mom guilt can hit hard, but we’ve found a balance by prioritizing family and personal time while still nurturing our business growth.
Learning to delegate tasks and trust our team to handle responsibilities has been instrumental in allowing us to step back from being on the floor at all times. It’s a strategy that has proven invaluable in sustaining our momentum.”
Have advisors been helpful or a hindrance to your entrepreneurial journey?
“Both. Advice is everywhere, and it’s wonderful that people want to help, much like in motherhood where everyone seems to have advice to offer.
While we deeply appreciate guidance, we’ve come to realize that not all advice is created equal. We value the input of certain individuals maybe a bit more than others. We have valued the input from our accountant, our lawyer, as well as a couple of investor and business owners who have taken the time to chat with us regarding our business.
Nonetheless, one key lesson we’ve learned is that what works for one business may not necessarily work for ours. Staying true to our brand is paramount, even if it means charting our own course amidst a sea of well-intentioned advice.”
Do you practise any philanthropy and do you involve your children?
This cause hits close to home for me (Monika), having grown up with a single mom and experiencing financial struggles. It’s deeply personal and meaningful to give back to a community that supported me.
We both believe strongly in the importance of giving back. We are grateful for our business success, and committed to sharing that with others, whether it’s through supporting “Mamas for Mamas,” other charities, or our local community.
Our children are raised with these values, understanding the importance of giving back, community, and gratitude from a young age.”
What are you most looking forward to, in the areas of family enterprise this year, or community, or philanthropy?
“From launching our cleaning business in 2017 to seeing both ventures flourish and the exponential growth of our products in 2021, we’ve been hustling non-stop.
While we’re proud of our achievements, we’re also eager for a bit more family time and the opportunity to travel together.
We envision the success of Mint not only as a business triumph but also as a celebration of family. Balancing our professional endeavors with quality time with our loved ones is a priority as we move forward.”
Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
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