Little Lavender Goods harnesses the power of nature in their all-natural, small-batch skincare and home goods products. Founded by Alexa McLane during the pandemic, Little Lavender Goods has grown from at-home experiments with essential oil blends to a combined direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. Now, Little Lavender’s handcrafted, small-batch products are available across Vancouver Island as well as internationally from their online store. We spoke with McLane to learn more.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Little Lavender Goods – At Little Lavender, we are passionate about creating high-quality, all-natural essential oil-based products, handcrafted in small batches with care and intention. Our mission is to provide non-toxic, nourishing alternatives that support the well-being of the mind, body, and soul. We believe in the power of nature, which is why we carefully select minimal, completely natural ingredients that allow the benefits of essential oils to shine through. In addition to our commitment to purity, we consciously source as many of our materials as possible from BC businesses, standing in solidarity with local communities. Every product we make reflects our dedication to wellness and a love for nature.
What made you want to do this work?
Little Lavender Goods was created during the pandemic. It was purely started with the intention of something fun to do during the pandemic – it was a passion project and nothing more. As a recent university graduate of a field that was globally nonexistent (hospitality management), my schedule was fairly open… My friend and I were experimenting with essential oil blends and homemade goodies, and on a whim, we decided to start selling them at a local farmers market. What started as a small passion project is now a full-time business and two staff members. I couldn’t be more grateful for how far it has come.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
We’re not just selling essential oil-based goods; we’re offering a way for people to incorporate simple, natural and effective wellness into their everyday lives. Whether it’s a soothing roller blend, a nourishing body butter or a beautifully scented room spray, our goal is to create products that bring comfort and joy.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our clientele is primarily women between the ages of 25 and 60 who value natural wellness, non-toxic living, and simple, intentional self-care. Many are busy mothers, professionals, caregivers, and individuals looking to create calmer, healthier environments for themselves and their families.
What unites our customers isn’t necessarily their age, but their desire to be more mindful about the products they bring into their homes. They’re looking for alternatives to synthetic fragrances and heavily processed products, and they appreciate transparency, quality ingredients, and supporting small Canadian businesses.
At Little Lavender, we’ve also found that our products resonate with people who are seeking moments of calm in their everyday lives. Whether it’s a relaxing bath at the end of a long day, a favourite essential oil blend in the car, or a thoughtful gift for someone they care about, our customers are drawn to products that help them slow down, reconnect, and create meaningful daily rituals.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
Little Lavender operates through a blend of direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales. We handcraft our products in small batches on Vancouver Island and sell them through our online store, local markets, and a growing network of retail partners across British Columbia.
One of the things that has allowed the business to grow is having multiple revenue streams. Markets provide valuable face-to-face connections with customers and immediate feedback; our online store allows us to serve customers across Canada, and wholesale partnerships help us reach new communities through like-minded shops, resorts, and wellness-focused businesses.
At its core, the business is built around creating high-quality, natural products that people use and repurchase as part of their everyday routines. Many of our customers discover us through a market or retail partner and then continue shopping with us online, which has helped us build a loyal and growing customer base over the past five years.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
While Little Lavender is based on Vancouver Island, Vancouver residents can currently find our products at Makers, located in The Shipyards in North Van. These beautiful local marketplaces are a wonderful fit for our brand and allow us to connect with customers on the mainland.
As our business continues to grow, we’re always excited to explore new opportunities to partner with retailers who share our values of quality, sustainability, and supporting Canadian-made products.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Question: “What makes your products different from similar options on the market?”
Answer: Beyond the product itself, I would look for transparency, quality of ingredients, and the values behind the brand. At Little Lavender Goods, every product is handcrafted in small batches and created with a focus on simplicity, natural ingredients, and everyday wellness. We believe customers are looking for more than just a pleasant scent; they want products they can feel good about using and gifting, and that trust is something we work hard to earn.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
The best part: Without a doubt, it’s hearing from customers whose lives have been positively impacted by our products. Whether it’s a parent telling us our Soothe Roller became part of their family’s teething routine, someone sharing that our products helped them create a calming self-care ritual during a difficult season, or a customer who simply feels more at ease in their home because they’ve switched to natural fragrances, those stories mean everything. Knowing that something we created by hand has become a meaningful part of someone’s daily life is incredibly rewarding.
The worst part: As the owner of a growing business, the hardest part is that there is always something that needs your attention. There is always another email to answer, order to pack, product to make, idea to pursue, or problem to solve. It can be difficult to truly switch off. That said, I feel very fortunate because I genuinely love what I do. Building Little Lavender has been one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most fulfilling, so even on the busiest days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
My favourite joke about small business ownership is:
“Be your own boss! Set your own hours!”
Which is funny because as a business owner, I seem to have chosen all of the hours.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Instagram | Facebook
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
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