- Words by Lauren Kramer Photography by Nina Dombowsky

Kelowna entrepreneur Michelle Webber loves animals, particularly her two rescue dogs, Crash and Ebby. In 2019, she became curious about the use of animals for testing products she routinely stocked in her home.

91裸聊视频淚 learned that dogs are often used for testing, and I thought, how can I love my own dogs so much but use a product that is tested on other dogs?91裸聊视频� she recalls.

Determined to switch to products made by companies that don91裸聊视频檛 test on animals, she started researching, and came up empty-handed in her quest for deodorant.

91裸聊视频淚 used to buy the best-smelling deodorant on the grocery store shelf, but I couldn91裸聊视频檛 find a deodorant that was aluminum-free and did not test on animals,91裸聊视频� she noted.

91裸聊视频淪adly, even if the label says, 91裸聊视频榗ruelty free91裸聊视频� or 91裸聊视频榥ot tested on animals,91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 not necessarily true and there are no repercussions for lying. Companies might say they don91裸聊视频檛 test on animals because that testing doesn91裸聊视频檛 happen in Canada91裸聊视频攂ut that doesn91裸聊视频檛 mean it91裸聊视频檚 not happening elsewhere. You really have to check who the parent company is91裸聊视频攁nd more often than not, in the case of a major deodorant brand, the parent company is a terrible perpetrator of animal testing. I resolved that I don91裸聊视频檛 want a single penny of mine to go towards animal testing,91裸聊视频� the 41-year-old declared.

She quickly observed a significant gap in the marketplace.

91裸聊视频淵ou have pharmacy brands that have been there all our lives, and they91裸聊视频檙e cheap but full of chemicals. Then you have the 100 per cent natural deodorants that are expensive and don91裸聊视频檛 necessarily work as well. I wanted something that was clean and healthy, but it also had to work.91裸聊视频�

Determined to create a clean, healthy deodorant that would be made in Canada or the US, Michelle intensified her research91裸聊视频攁mid her career at Joie & Luxe, the wedding planning company she owned, and her mobile oyster bar, Shucked Oyster Co.

She familiarized herself with deodorant ingredients and partnered with a Canadian manufacturer who helped her come up with a winning formula that was free of aluminum, parabens and phthalates, all ingredients of concern. Then she raised $75,000 from investors to finance the first production of a healthy deodorant that would outlast the heat without using harsh chemicals or causing a rash. And there was no animal testing involved.

In November 2022, she and her husband Kris launched , a deodorant in three fragrances: coconut jasmine, pineapple bergamot, and sandalwood, vanilla and lime. Available in retail locations across BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan, SONDR deodorants can also be purchased directly online at sondrfresh.com.

SONDR91裸聊视频檚 mantra is to 91裸聊视频渕ake clean mainstream91裸聊视频� and 98 per cent of the brand91裸聊视频檚 ingredients are naturally derived.

91裸聊视频淓verything in there is healthy, safe and clean for children using deodorant for the first time, pregnant women and anyone else. What91裸聊视频檚 more, it lasts all day long,91裸聊视频� she said.

Affordability was another key concern. A full-size SONDR deodorant, which lasts up to three months, costs $19, while travel-size deodorants retail for $11.

The term 91裸聊视频渟onder91裸聊视频� is defined as the 91裸聊视频減rofound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one91裸聊视频檚 own, which they are constantly living despite one91裸聊视频檚 personal lack of awareness of it.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淚 thought that was a great name for a brand that was trying to make things better for people, for animals and for the environment,91裸聊视频� she said.

SONDR is off to a great start, available in boutiques, some Pharmasave locations as well as spin and fitness studios. Michelle91裸聊视频檚 goal is to grow the company in terms of its reach and product offerings.

91裸聊视频淏y growing, we can make an impact in the industry and force other companies to change their strategies and be cruelty-free and healthy,91裸聊视频� she said.

She dreams of making sun protection products, shower gels and moisturizers, and even a line of healthy cleaning products for the home. For now, though, deodorant is SONDR91裸聊视频檚 key product.

Michelle91裸聊视频檚 mother recently challenged her in a conversation, asking, 91裸聊视频淚f you were offered a massive amount of money for your company, are you telling me you would never sell?91裸聊视频�

Always thinking ahead, Michelle went straight to her lawyer and added a clause in her company contract.

91裸聊视频淭he new contract says we will never legally be allowed to sell to another company that doesn91裸聊视频檛 uphold the same ethical standards we do,91裸聊视频� she affirmed. 91裸聊视频淲e will never sell out for money!91裸聊视频�

Customers have embraced the SONDR brand, and Michelle is thrilled. She91裸聊视频檚 also aware that animal testing continues, a cruel practice she91裸聊视频檚 determined to avoid.

91裸聊视频淚 encourage people to learn about the products they91裸聊视频檙e buying, for their own health, for animal-cruelty practices and for the environment,91裸聊视频� she says. 91裸聊视频淪ONDR is my legacy company, so when you see our logo, our promise to be ethical, healthy and effective is 100 per cent what we91裸聊视频檙e doing.91裸聊视频�

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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