Michaelee Lazore marks 20 years of creating soaps and skin care inspired by her culture

Michaelee Lazore started making bars of soap for fun and now the Indigenous entrepreneur's part-time hobby has blossomed into a flourishing business.

Her business, Sequoia Soaps, marked its 20th year of business this week selling artisanal soaps and skin care inspired by her culture. Along the way it has become among one of the most recognized Indigenous-run brands in Canada. 

"All the products tell a little bit of our stories or are influenced by the medicines," said Lazore, who is Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Akwesasne, on the Ontario, Quebec and New York state borders, as well as Paiute from Pyramid Lake in Nevada.

That includes scents like tobacco, sweetgrass, cedar, and sage.

Lazore started making soaps in her kitchen to sell at craft fairs and powwows while she worked as an engineer. In 2004, she quit her job and opened her flagship store in Kahnawà:ke, the Kanien'kehá:ka community where she lives, south of Montreal.

"Now that it's been 20 years, I realized what an example it is for other Indigenous women who are just thinking of starting a business," said Lazore.

"You could have a successful business that has longevity and do what you love doing." 

Sequoia has come a long way from its humble beginnings. A staff of 10 operates out of not only the storefront, but a production shop and a shipping warehouse to accommodate a boom in online sales. Her products are also found in over 100 boutiques and gift shops across Canada and the United States.

"Twenty years is a very significant milestone for any business …. It's a testament to her fortitude to succeed. Business isn't easy," said Daryl Leclaire, director of business services at Tewatohnhi'saktha, Kahnawà:ke's Economic Development Commission.

"I've been fortunate enough to see her business develop literally since before Day 1 …. It's awesome to see where she's at and her growth along the way."

When she started, she turned to other Indigenous entrepreneurs for advice, including from Kanien'kehá:ka fashion designer Tammy Beauvais.

"That gives you confidence when somebody is helping you along because you know that they've done it before and you've seen their success," said Lazore.

"Now that I'm in that position, I feel like I have so much knowledge to help other people, to help them get to whatever next level that they would like to get to."

That's exactly what she has been doing.