Walking into a big, brand new warehouse in Yarraville was pretty surreal for Greg Egan, founder and creator of Farm Goat, who started a business making soaps from his apartment during lock-downs.
Fast forward three and half years later, and Farm Goat is sold in luxury stores and exporting to Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and (very soon) Hong Kong. Farm Goat is a homegrown, sustainable, environmentally friendly business, now making its home in the west.
So, how did this happen?
“I grew up in northern Victoria,” says Greg, Farm Goat founder and owner. “As a child, my brother Brendan brought home a kid, a baby goat, for my brother James, who we named Gertie.”
“We played with Gertie nearly everyday. She would take us for rides around the paddock allowing us to hold on to her huge horns so we didn’t fall off. It was a lot of fun, and Gertie is the reason I love goats to this day.”
Greg worked as a chef for 20+ years and loved it. It makes sense when you look at the ingredients of the soaps, which come in Lime and Roasted Coconut, Sumac and Lemongrass, Cinnamon and Spearmint and Orange and Lemon Myrtle as well plain goats milk.
I’m not sure how I came across him, but I’ve been hooked on these soaps and regularly give them as gifts. All his soaps and products are at least 25% goats milk and good for sensitive skin. In my opinion, the west has never smelt sweeter.
“In a weird way I see my 20 year career as a chef as training to bring Farm Goat to life and sourcing our goats milk from The Pampered Goat, who look after and milk the goats in my hometown region and help bring our quality products to life for you to enjoy,” he said.
“Every Farm Goat product is crafted with love and care, just as my brother and our family loved and cared for Gertie. We’re bringing a tiny bit of the country into the lives of everyone who uses our products.”
Greg is loving the inner west and raves about the great coffee at Maddison Corner Store. Farm Goat will be at The Big Design Market (another great enterprise based in the west) at the Royal Exhibition Buildings from 24-26 May. Otherwise check them out online at farmgoat.com.au.
