Kimo: fantasy at a hundred miles an hour

Kimo is one of those companies that it is impossible to forget once we have laid our eyes on their products: whether it is their soaps, their body products or those of aromatherapy; there is a whole range of colors, shapes more imaginative than each other and particularly meticulous details. Kim and Moez, the company's founders, make products that are as unique as they are eccentric. Take a look at what they have to offer, you won't regret it.

A shift towards zero waste first

In 2015, spouses Kim and Moez decided to take a green turn in their lives. Moez has sensitive skin, so they started experimenting with various ways to make soaps that would be less irritating to her skin. “I was the perfect guinea pig. They also had a desire to be self-sufficient, to adopt a lifestyle more aligned with the zero waste philosophy. Afterwards, they had their soaps tried out by travelers who were spending the night in their accommodation for rent on the island of Saint-Ignace-De-Loyola, in the Lanaudière region. The experiment having been a success, they officially launched their company Kimo, a portmanteau word combining their two first names, in 2019.

In order to make themselves known, they first made many spontaneous calls to various stores in Quebec and entered into a partnership with more than fifteen of them. But it was following the presentation of their products at Salut Bonjour in November 2020, as part of a program presenting suggestions for Quebec gift ideas, that the craze for Kimo products really began to take hold. feel. Indeed, the company completely depleted its stocks within 24 hours of the episode airing. "It was an adrenaline rush, but it was fun," says Moez.

An unmistakable look

Kimo's soaps stand out with their original designs: the soaps look like macaroons , donuts, pies or flamboyantly colored aquariums. After doing extensive research, the couple determined that such products were only found in Asia. So they decided to produce soaps that would catch the eye. “The only way to catch the eye with soaps is through design,” says Kim.

Today, the company manufactures not only soaps, but also body products such as bath bombs, body butters, shampoos and conditioners in bars, as well as essential oil diffusers, candles and many other products. Browse the full collection on the company's website .

A unique process

The shapes and patterns of the soaps are not the only things that set Kimo soaps apart: the way they are designed also sets them apart from most commercial soaps. Kim and Moez use a cold saponification technique which allows better retention of the therapeutic effects of the ingredients incorporated into the soaps.

It's a very fast process that doesn't leave much room for error in soap formation. In just ten to fifteen minutes, the soap thickens and hardens and changes cannot be made. Kim and Moez must therefore show agility in order to produce soaps that present so many meticulous details. "You have to be very meticulous, calm and focused," says Moez. Each soap is therefore unique and made with great care. "It's like every soap tells a little story," Kim tells us.

Naturally, the process involves a lot of trial and error and several rounds of testing to find the perfect balance between each ingredient. However, it is a challenge that is taken up with enthusiasm according to Kim: “There are tricks that we develop over time”. And even when errors creep into the products, the couple chooses to see them as opportunities to explore new designs; it's part of their creative process. We even find on their site a category of products called “imperfects”; it is therefore possible to obtain Kimo soaps at a lower cost, a perfect option for those who prioritize the benefits of soaps rather than their look, or who prefer to test the products before buying at full price.

Like a small army

Kim and Moez split the job together: Moez being a graphic designer by profession, he designed the company's website, logo and labels, while Kim has a big role in soap making. "We're like a small army, it's a lot of work," says Kim. That said, having to do all the tasks with just two people doesn't put them off. On the one hand, they like the idea of ​​having a small-scale business with a small level of production. On the other hand, they believe that the designs they want to give to their products would be difficult to convey to employees. “It's a personal thing; we are afraid of distorting Kimo's image”, specifies Moez.

The couple takes into account the multiple tasks to be accomplished in their business plan: they usually start their holiday season production in June. This allows him to produce enough for the period of the year which represents 50% of his turnover, while taking into account the time required to produce the soaps which must dry for four to six weeks. How does it get there? “It takes some synergy,” Moez says. “We have a good relationship, we talk a lot. The two designers also plan their tests for new products in the less busy periods of the year and take advantage of these times to approach new markets or stores with partnership opportunities.

Despite their busy schedules, they continue to have ambition for Kimo: they intend to find good sales and delivery partners in Ontario, then will assess the feasibility of expanding sales to the United States and may -even being in France.

There is always something to learn

The thirst for knowledge and learning is one of the motivating factors for Kim and Moez. "You should never say that you know everything, we are always in training," says Kim. "To be an entrepreneur, you have to be creative, have the basics, but seek to perfect yourself," adds Moez.

Eventually, the couple dreams of growing their own herbs, which can sometimes be hard to find in big box markets, opening their own shop and even operating a farm. “We would like to have a 100% self-sufficient micro-domain,” says Kim. They are ready to adapt to the needs of the market or to their inspiration, but will not seek to industrialize their company. "We want to keep this authenticity, it's small, but it works", says Moez.

If we rely on current products, we can only imagine the wonders that Kim and Moez will concoct for us in the years to come. Stay tuned for their projects on Facebook , Instagram and Pinterest .

Reviewed by MF Editorial