Standing in the shower probably isn't where most businesses begin. But for Jolene Roberts, it was exactly where the idea for Òir Soap took shape.
Originally from Aberdeen and raised in Edinburgh, Jolene started out in the beauty industry, working in nail salons and beauty retail before training as a special effects makeup artist. But when she decided Hollywood wasn't quite the future she wanted, she took a different path. For the next 15 years, Jolene built a successful career in corporate communications and marketing within the finance sector, specialising in large-scale organisational change.
"It was a successful career, but something never quite felt right," she says. "I didn't leave because I hated it. I left because I wanted to do something good for the planet."
That desire led to the launch of Òir Soap in 2021, beautifully scented solid soaps. Named after the Gaelic word for "golden" (pronounced aww-rr), the South Queensferry-based business was built around a simple but ambitious idea: changing the way we use shower gel and helping people move away from single-use plastic shower products without sacrificing luxury.
"My heart has always been in beauty," she says. "But I think the industry needs to fundamentally change to protect our planet."
Today, every Òir product is handmade using traditional cold-process methods in the company's workshop just outside Edinburgh. From carefully selected natural ingredients to handcrafted essential oil blends, sustainability sits at the heart of every decision.
But Jolene isn't stopping at soap bars. Her latest project aims to tackle another bathroom waste problem: disposable plastic bottles.
"You're standing in the shower, looking at a plastic bottle you'll throw away in a week. It's fine. It does the job. But somewhere in the back of your mind, you know there's a better way."
So Òir has designed what Jolene hopes will be the last bottles you'll ever need to buy. The concept is beautifully simple. Refillable natural soaps and lotions paired with elegant aluminium "Forever Bottles" that are designed to be used again and again. Less waste, less plastic and a bathroom shelf that looks considerably better too.
The only catch? They don't exist quite yet.
To bring the range to life, Òir has launched a Kickstarter campaign, giving customers the chance to pre-purchase products, support a local Scottish business and be part of the journey from idea to reality. For Jolene, it's about proving that sustainable choices don't need to feel like a compromise. They can be beautiful, practical and planet-friendly all at the same time.
And if her growing community of loyal customers is anything to go by, plenty of people agree.
