In a small coastal village outside Umeå, Malin i Ratan makes cold-touch soaps the old-fashioned way - always with natural and organic ingredients. Even though the winds of history are tangibly surrounding both the shop and the craft tradition, there is a clear drive forward. Passion, curiosity and creativity are some of the ingredients that have contributed to their being one of ten finalists with a chance of winning a prestigious national entrepreneurial award.
Malin Lindmark is the heart behind the soaps from Ratan. It is precisely this passion that so clearly permeates the activities in Ratan outside Umeå, a village surrounded by both magnificent expanses and a cultural and historical environment. Soap-making was something that came naturally.
I started making soaps because it was fun. The demand grew, there was a craving and it took off," says owner Malin Lindmark.
At the time it all started, Malin was working as an environmental consultant, but as demand grew, she resigned and devoted all her time to the company. Today, Malin has four employees and during the peak summer season there can be up to seven holiday workers.
What about the soaps? Malin has a lot to say about the different manufacturing processes and the importance of balancing ingredients and sticking to high quality raw materials. In general, people choose to use smaller products and packaging. Less simply means more.
We cut out unnecessary chemicals wherever possible. Artisanal soaps, as we make them, are very different from conventional soaps. They need to be experienced. One big difference between industrially produced soaps and our handmade soaps is that handmade soaps retain their glycerin, which moisturises the skin. Industrially produced soaps are often subjected to a process to remove the glycerin that is naturally formed during the saponification process," says Malin.
As the business has developed, Malin Lindmark has also grown as an entrepreneur. Today, she hardly makes any soap; her employees do. Although Malin is, of course, highly involved in the creative processes.
I run a sustainable business that is constantly on the move. It takes a lot of time to develop something, which also requires you to keep up and grow in your entrepreneurship. I choose the fun things first and learn bit by bit.
Expansion and development, yes, and pandemic
Malin in Ratan does not act ad hoc but has followed a plan for several years. Although there must be room for adjustments along the way. For example, when a pandemic strikes.
But even though the restrictions limit what can be done at the moment, it is a fact that the business is getting crowded. As plans are being drawn up for an expansion, there are many ideas about how Malin i Ratan will take the next step.
We are thinking a lot about developing the experience around our shop and the trade in general in Ratan. In the long term, we would like to have even more experiences linked to a visit to us, such as simple spa treatments with soap in focus. We have plans that unfortunately had to be put on hold during the pandemic, but things are in the works. We had planned to start earlier. It's no worse than having to postpone it.
The pandemic has of course affected soap manufacturers in Ratan, but not to the extent Malin first feared.
We experienced a lot of bunkering in March actually. Then there were clearly less orders from retailers, particularly from downtown retailers, but that was offset by a good influx of home holidaymakers over the summer. In November, the Christmas sales kicked off in our online shop and we also had a good momentum in the soap accessories that we sell.
Could win fine entrepreneurial prize
Among hundreds of nominees, Malin Lindmark has been chosen as one of ten finalists to win the ICA Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2021. Two winners will be chosen by a public vote on the ICA website and by the ICA Entrepreneur Award jury. Voting will take place between 25 March and 23 April.
Being named a finalist is another proof that Malin in Ratan is doing the right things. You don't always have to rush forward. A combination of planning and being consistent is a good enough recipe. And you feel better along the way.
With the future in back
Artisanal soaps continue to be sold in Ratan, if so burning pandemic. It almost seems as if the cultural and historical heritage lies like a protective blanket over the village, instilling courage and strength in its inhabitants.
Yes, or maybe it's just really good people in Ratan, who don't give up when you've made up your mind. That and a great deal of passion, curiosity and creativity.
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Malin i Ratan has previously been part of the Future Retail Lab business development programme. Read more and find the link to apply for the next programme period here.
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