Where Luxury Meets Purpose in Self-Care – Exclusive Interview with Laila Belabbas

Laila Belabbas is the Founder of Splish Splash Handmade Products & Executive Coach In Your Corner. With over 15 years as a Human Resources Leader and Leadership Coach, she holds a Bachelor's in Commerce Entrepreneurial Management-Finance, is a Certified Executive Coach, and a member of the International Coaching Federation.

Laila Belabbas, Splish Splash Handmade Products & Executive Coach

What influenced your philosophy toward product creation?

My mother grew up in France, where she learned to use plants and natural remedies as part of a holistic approach to wellness. She was taught by her mother, and when I was old enough, she passed that wisdom on to me. Since I was sixteen, I’ve followed a consistent self-care routine. Growing up with four brothers, I was the only girl in a lively household, so taking a bath became my daily sanctuary. For thirty minutes each evening, I could unwind with Dead Sea salt and lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia). Lavender has always been one of my favourite essential oils. Its scent is calming, promotes better sleep, reduces stress and anxiety, and soothes the skin.

Only years later did I learn that my skin sensitivity was linked to PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which I was diagnosed with just a few years ago. Additionally, I was deeply influenced by the Hammam Spa culture, which my grandmother introduced me to a traditional Moroccan bathing and cleansing ritual. That experience inspired me to share the Hammam Spa philosophy with others through my products.

My philosophy really came from the women in my family. Their approach to self-care was practical and really tangible in everyday life, and now it shapes the way I think about creating products that allow balance and well-being into my life.

What inspired you to start Splish Splash Handmade Products?

In 2018, I decided to go back to school to further my knowledge and skills in Business. I went to Royal Roads University to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in Entrepreneurial Management and Finance. As part of an entrepreneurship course, I had one week to develop a business concept and submit it for approval. The challenge was that the product had to be entirely handmade it couldn’t be purchased or pre-produced.

For weeks, I struggled to find an idea, until I realized the answer was right in front of me. I had always made my own soap and bath products because of my sensitive skin, but it had never occurred to me to turn that into a business.

This was an opportunity to try something new. So I pitched my idea to my professor. I saw a perfect opportunity to blend business acumen with my artistic, creative side and my love for natural, handmade products. Going back to school was the best thing for me. It allowed me to pause, reflect, rediscover myself, and focus on the things I love and enjoy. Being artistic and creative was always part of who I am! Being pressured to build a business gave me the boost to try it out.

I went all in, I conducted focus groups, packaging, product testing, logo creation, business name development, market research, R&D, website design, a business plan, sustainability, and financials. I promoted my handmade natural products as a self-care, eco-friendly hammam home spa experience from the comfort of your home.

It was a massive success! The feedback I received from people was so positive. They loved the products, and I completely sold out. Sitting here now, I realize that what began as a class assignment became a turning point. It reconnected me to my roots, to creativity, and to the simple act of helping people slow down and care for themselves.

How do your products help people with their self-care routines?

With over two hundred products, there’s something for everyone. I offer a variety of ways to begin a self-care journey. By incorporating my products into their routine, people create intentional time for themselves. It can be as simple as drawing a bath with a rose bath bomb, infused with Moroccan rose essential oil and real rose petals, to set a romantic, soothing mood. Complementing that with a soy wax basil and sage candle can further enhance the atmosphere, creating a sense of calm and reflection. A weekly white kaolin clay mask, rich in minerals that soothe and soften the skin, completes the ritual, leaving the complexion refreshed and the mind at ease.

What makes Splish Splash different from other handmade or natural skincare brands?

Splish Splash is an inclusive, cruelty-free, and vegan brand, woman-led and owned by a person of color. Splish Splash blends authenticity with a touch of luxury, carefully crafted by hand in small batches to ensure the highest quality of each product, using natural ingredients, olive oil, jojoba oil, clays, shea, mango butter, cocoa butter, plants, essential oils, and soy wax for candles. We’ve also built inclusivity into the heart of the brand, offering an LGBTQIA2S+ friendly collection that celebrates diversity and belonging.

I am passionate about various causes and enjoy partnering with and fundraising for non-profit organizations that reflect my values. Giving back is part of who I am.

How do you ensure the quality and purity of your ingredients?

I source all ingredients from trusted partners who share my commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. I choose each ingredient with intention and quality in mind. It’s where natural botanicals, raw ingredients, essential oils, and butters meet luxurious bath products to nourish your skin and enhance your bathing ritual and your self-care routine. Every step from sourcing ingredients to crafting products is handled with care and perfection. From gift packing to shipping your order, it is top of mind for creating an unforgettable unpackaging experience and a touch of luxury.

Can you share the story behind one of your most loved products?

The idea for the loofah soap came from my experience at a Moroccan hammam spa, where they use Moroccan pumice stone, “M'hekka,” to exfoliate the skin naturally. Due to my sensitive skin, I found the exfoliating experience a little harsh, although it was very effective. I decided to use a loofah sponge, which comes from a vegetable gourd that is biodegradable, and combine it with soap to create the loofah exfoliating soap. The sponge is placed inside the soap. It makes a beautiful soap with vibrant colours of pink, green, orange, and blue. The loofah comes with scents of fresh grapefruit, lime, eucalyptus & mint, sweet orange satsuma, or fresh ocean mist.

How do you want your customers to feel when they use your products?

A sensory experience that transports you into an oasis of calm and relaxation, where you can create an escape from the day-to-day stress and worries in the comfort of your home!

What challenges have you faced as a small business owner, and how did you overcome them?

Large corporations dominate the beauty and self-care industry, producing mass-market products and spending millions on marketing. For a smaller brand like Splish Splash Handmade Products, I initially experienced challenges in finding the right people who would understand the value of handmade products and find the right audience.

Over time, by educating and sharing behind-the-scenes footage on how I make my products, the ingredients I use, and the benefits of each ingredient, I’ve found an audience that resonates with my brand story and authenticity.

In addition, sourcing quality ingredients for the products can be challenging due to high shipping costs, tariffs, and supply constraints. I have learned to be adaptable and work with several suppliers to source the ingredients needed to make my products and fulfill my orders.

The business had taught me to become resilient, patient, and to be a stronger leader.

How does sustainability and ethics shape your brand and product creation process?

Sustainability and ethics are at the core of everything we do. I source high-quality ingredients from trusted local suppliers and small businesses whenever possible, and all of our products are biodegradable and vegan. We are continuously finding new ways to package the product, including glass and recyclable cosmetic packaging, bamboo lids, cardboard gift boxes, crinkled shredded paper, and tissue paper. I am always looking for new ways to package my products sustainably while maintaining that elegant look.

What advice would you give to someone who struggles to make time for self-care?

My first piece of advice is to schedule it. Block it off in your calendar. Life is busy, and it’s easy to forget to take time for yourself and practice self-care. Choose a time when you can disconnect and relax with minimal distractions. Just start with 30 minutes a day. Start small and gradually build up as it becomes a habit. Consistency matters more than duration, and creating that intentional space for yourself can transform your well-being over time.

How can self-care improve leaders' ability to lead with a clear mind?

As a leader and a certified executive coach working with leaders and senior leaders, I see firsthand what happens when someone doesn’t practice self-care. Leaders are cracking under pressure, tension, depression, anxiety, burnout, and meltdowns. All of which are also impacting their personal home life, adding to their feelings of distress. It’s a vicious circle.

When you take time to recharge and care for yourself, you make better decisions from a place of calm rather than chaos. Using Splish Splash Handmade Products, practice small acts of self-care to promote balance, reduce stress, sleep better, and slow down more easily. Leaders can show up for their team by being centred and able to lead with a clear mind.

How has your background in entrepreneurship and management influenced your business approach?

Business school taught me a lot about building and growing the business sustainably, growing organically, and building my brand with honesty and integrity. The importance of creating a partnership and trusting relationships within the business community. As a human resources leader, certified executive coach, and entrepreneur working with senior leaders, I have learned to listen to understand the importance of communication with your team and your clients. Lead with empathy and kindness, inclusive and servant leadership resonate most with people. Problem-solving is part of running a business; you need to pivot, keep track of market changes, trends, geopolitical changes, manage stress levels, supply chain challenges, and factor in shipping delays.

When I am approached for business opportunities or partnership, I respond with “no” far more than “yes”! Recently, I was approached by two major retailers that were interested in my products. After careful consideration, I decided to decline the offer. Their business model and how they treated their employees didn’t align with how I conduct business or my leadership style.

Not all opportunities are suitable for the brand. Some can have long-term negative consequences. In addition, new business and partnership needs to align with my values and business goals.

At the end of the day, every decision I make, from partnerships to product launches, is guided by my values and the brand's long-term vision, ensuring that Splish Splash remains authentic and true to its mission.

What exciting new products or goals can your customers look forward to from Splish Splash?

I recently launched and designed a new collection of luxurious soap, bath salts, and candles. The idea behind this collection was to create a corporate gift in mind, with beautiful, luxurious scents such as guava fig, mint, and watermelon olive oil soap, sage vetiver, rainforest, whiskey, coconut, and coffee cocoa butter soap. It embossed golden stamps on each soap box, elevating the gift. I have been working on a new product for the collection, and I am excited about it. It’s a line of non-toxic nail polish using mica colours derived from natural minerals. Three new soy wax candles with signature scents such as red berry rhubarb, applewood fir, and grapefruit lemongrass. They are hand-poured into beautiful frosted glass jars with bamboo lids, and come in an elegant box, perfect for unwinding in the evening. Bath salts come in a glass tube with a cork. I want the gift of self-care packages to become a new standard for corporate gifts rather than a bottle of alcohol.

Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and visit my website for more info!

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