Tina Chang is known for her successful career as a fashion photographer, but she’s also entered the local soap-making industry.
“Soap has been something that I have been interested in for the longest time, but I never had the chance to do it because of being really photography focused,” says Chang. “So when I moved back to Edmonton from Dubai and Toronto, I started to look for something else to do as well.”
Chang reached out to Brand and Graphic Designer Raoul Mendoza, and asked if he wanted to partner with her on a new venture.
“I just saw this as a business challenge because the world of soaps, especially handmade soaps, locally is extremely saturated. It’s a difficult market,” says Mendoza.
The pair began working together five years ago and launched Yummy Me in 2019, combining their skills of photography, soap making and brand development. Chang makes every bar of soap herself, as well as the other products Yummy Me sells like lotion, body scrubs and lip balms. She also crafts the recipes for each product, selectively choosing which essential oils to include.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s fun, and it’s a wonderful company and project that we’re putting out there,” says Mendoza. “We both wholeheartedly believe in it and we’re just thrilled that our customers believe in it, too.”
Yummy Me products are available at Ponytails + Horseshoes, Remedy Cafe, Pomp Salon, Point of Health, Tix on the Square, The Seven80 and Hideout Distro.
This content was produced to support the Edmonton Made community. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Edify staff.
