ABOUT MRM
THE FOUNDER
I grew up in Broulee on the far south coast of NSW, where nature wasn't just a backdrop—it was my playground. Summer days were spent at the beach, winter adventures in the bush. Even as a kid, I was obsessed with plants, propagating cuttings and rescuing specimens from the wild to nurture at home.
Animals have always been part of my story too. We now share our lives with three Labradors and my mini Dachshund, Daffodil. Even our daughter caught the bug—she has Doug and Dora, who happen to be Daffodil's parents!
The Winding Path
Life had other plans when I was accepted into Ryde Horticultural College. Instead, I earned my Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood from Canberra University in 1997. This launched a decade of teaching and globe-trotting adventures.
Marriage and a growing family took us on quite the journey—from the remote red dust of Leonora in Western Australia's outback, to the tropical humidity of Vatukoula, Fiji, then the rugged coastline of Hopetoun in WA's far south west, before settling in Perth.
Coming Home to Margaret River
In 2017, we made our sea change. With three of our four children, we relocated to the Margaret River Region—back to untamed ocean, diverse native flora, and the wildlife we'd both missed. It felt like coming home.
It was here that I rediscovered a hobby I'd dabbled with over a decade earlier: soap making. But this time was different. Essential oils had become accessible, replacing the synthetic fragrances I'd reluctantly used before. My senses came alive. I was inspired. Margaret River Made was born.
The Shampoo Bar Revelation
In 2018, while researching soap ingredients online, I stumbled upon shampoo bars. The concept captivated me—water-free, waste-free, plastic-free. I started investigating what was actually in my expensive "natural, plant-based" bottled shampoo.
What I discovered shocked me.
I'd been spending a fortune on products loaded with irritants—sulfates, silicones, glycols—that were contributing to my chronically itchy, oily scalp. Why were we paying premium prices for products filled with known irritants when healthier alternatives existed?
The discovery of shampoo and conditioner bars, combined with the chance to eliminate plastic waste, became my driving force.
Fighting for Better Skincare
Around the same time, my teenagers were battling hormonal acne. Store-bought products weren't just failing to help—some seemed to make it worse. My research confirmed my suspicions: many contained comedogenic oils that actually clog pores.
I was furious. We were being sold lies so companies could profit.
This fueled my determination to create non-comedogenic skincare using essential oils and quality carrier oils. I wanted products that were genuinely safe for all skin types, especially sensitive and troubled skin.
When Everything Changed
In June 2019, my husband suffered a devastating surfing injury—a one-in-a-million accident. We had to leave Margaret River and return to Perth for surgeries and years of rehabilitation. The emotional and physical toll was immense.
During this dark time, soap making and formulating became my anchor—a source of solace and purpose. (He's recovered now, though 14 titanium screws hold his knee together!)
Our Mission Today
We're committed to helping people look and feel their best—conscientiously. We take pride in how far we've come, but we're never satisfied. We continuously refine and research our formulations, driven by your feedback and the connections we make at markets and online.
Our values are simple:
- Reducing waste in our products, production, and packaging
- Working toward 100% plastic-free packaging
- Supporting Australian businesses that share our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices
- Creating genuinely effective, non-toxic products your whole family can use
Join Our Journey
We invite you to be part of our mission toward a cleaner, greener world. When you choose Margaret River Made, you're supporting Australian-made products, sustainable practices, and a small business that genuinely cares.
Take care,
Tracey
Margaret River Made
