Behind Myrtle & Moss: A Skincare Brand Rooted in Essential Oils and Nature

Today, we have a special guest who has an inspiring journey from working in big food companies to launching a successful skincare brand. We absolutely love their products so we've added them to some of our gift hampers, such as 'Gardener Essential Gift Hamper': the perfect gift for green thumbs!, 'Australian Botanicals' and 'Luxe Relax at Home': both  great self-care and pampering gifts, and 'A Little Kindness': great as a sympathy gift or a thank-you gift. 

Before we dive in, let me share a bit about their brand. Georgina launched Myrtle & Moss from her kitchen bench way back in 2010, with a stylish, scented botanical skincare range made locally in Australia and tested on family & friends, not animals. The range is known for its finest essential oil blends like Bergamot Rind from Calabria in Italy, Egyptian Geranium Leaf Oil, and Lemon Myrtle from northern New South Wales. Myrtle & Moss has been creating 'incidental sensory delight' with products that look, feel, and smell superlative and are stocked in over 400 unique designer stores across Australia.

Let's dive right in! Can you tell us about your background and how it led you to where you are now?

My background was FMCG for the big food companies – Nestle, Goodman Fielder and Unilever in marketing, sales & product development. In 2010 I took my product development skills and decided to launch Myrle & Moss with a tight collection of soaps, hand creams and body washes.

How did you come up with the concept and name for the business?

When we launched there was just a void in the market for stunning looking, botanical based skincare range scented with essential oils - we wanted something that looked stunning in your bathroom and a beautiful product to use. The name Myrtle & Moss was inspired by the names of native Australian botanicals.

Where do you live and how does it influence your work?

 We are based in the leafy South Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. All the botanicals on our packaging are “borrowed” from our gardens, neighbours’ gardens and local parks!

Behind the scenes - where is your office and who is in your team?

Being located in the South Eastern suburbs we are lucky to be nestled next to a stunning walking trail where we take our lunch breaks and tend to our community veggie patch. We have a small team. Myself and Lou tackle the sales side of the business, Agatha spearheads the marketing and graphic design tasks, and we have two gorgeous guys in the warehouse packing off all our online and wholesale orders. The whole team influences new product development.

What's your most popular product and why do you think this is?

The new Forest Botanical Candle. The scent of this candle is truly unique and there isn’t anything like this product on the market. Just light the candle, close your eyes and you instantly feel like you’re sitting on the wet forest floor.

Any challenges with your business?

Continually coming up with new ranges to grow the brand, and maintaining consumer confidence in a turbulent retail sector.

What do you do to relax?

Love my garden!!!

Favourite Australian place? Why?

Hymans Beach in NSW at Easter – the stunning warm clear waters of Jervis Bay and the most magnificent walks through the Scribbly Gums at the National Park!

Thank you so much for sharing your journey and insights with us. It’s been wonderful getting to know you and Myrtle & Moss better. We’re sure our readers will find your story as inspiring as we did!

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