Launched in 2016, Seed & Sprout is home to a variety of sustainable products, including personal care like shampoo, conditioner, face cleanser and body wash bars.
The brand works closely with a female-led, family-owned Australian business that specialises in environmentally conscious product development and manufacturing.
“Their team are experts in creating high-performing, sustainable formulations. We begin by taking their guidance on base formulations, then work together through a thoughtful and collaborative process, refining and tweaking until we’re all happy with the final product. It’s a partnership built on shared values around sustainability and quality.
“Our shampoo bars are extruded and cut into shape, giving them their solid, compact form, while our conditioner bars are hand-poured into custom moulds for a smooth, luxurious finish,” Sophie Kovic, founder of Seed & Sprout, told CosmeticsDesign-Asia.
According to Kovic, there is a misconception that the bar format has less product or value for money.
“The reality is bars are far superior to liquid formulations. For example, our shampoo bar is equivalent to 3.5 bottles of regular liquid shampoo! Most people just assume due to the size that it will run out quicker, but they really last a lot longer than regular products.
“There is also the assumption that a bar wouldn’t work as it won’t lather up or cleanse properly, which is also not true. Our bar products are carefully formulated with ingredients that will rival any high-end product. Our shampoo bars contain less chemicals and preservatives than traditional liquid shampoos, and are Australian-made, vegan-friendly, and free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), silicones, and synthetic fragrance.”
In fact, Seed & Sprout is so confident about its products that it offers a “performance guarantee” — if a customer tries a product and is not satisfied with it, they would be refunded the full purchase price.
“But thankfully, our products are packed full of natural, hydrating ingredients that our customers love, along with the peace of mind that they are doing the right thing for the planet. We’ve experienced so few refunds, which is testament to our product quality.”
The brand’s shampoo and conditioner bar set in Rose Geranium is one of its best-sellers, which led to the development of a custom stainless steel travel tin for it.
Both the bar range and travel tin have won the Australian Good Design Awards.
“Although our personal care range is considered quite small, we’re confident that customers will find the right solution in what we currently have available, and we’re always mindful of not encouraging overconsumption.
“That said, we are constantly doing market research, talking to our customers, and looking for solutions for their needs. So, if new needs arise in that space, we will absolutely look for the most sustainable solution that makes people’s lives easier.”
Not just tokenism
With sustainability being a buzzword across industries in recent years, consumers are increasingly feeling green fatigue.
“This certainly is a pain point of mine — when it feels like the word ‘sustainability’ is being thrown around like a box for brands to tick! It can feel very tokenistic when brands promote their ‘sustainability’ efforts, but when you delve deeper, it doesn’t all add up.
“For Seed & Sprout, I don’t see this as a challenge to overcome because we really walk the talk. I think by now, our community and customers know that they can trust us to do the right thing and even turn to us for true sustainability. This is why every decision, big or small, is done with sustainability in mind.”
Kovic added that the team is constantly educating themselves and looking for new processes or materials to improve their products.
“We are continuously looking at ways we can restore and protect the place we call home —and that effort doesn’t stop when I walk out the office doors. I like to think it’s a mindset that everyone at Seed & Sprout live by, and that shapes product ideas and priorities.
“Our team is very diverse and often, our ideas for products come from problems we face and our approach is solution-oriented. For instance, we ask, ‘how can we make something easier to inspire change that leaves less of an impact on our planet?’. By understanding our customers, it helps inform our design choices.”
Bar-lown away
A key marketing driver for Seed & Sprout is education, including through blog posts on its website, ads, and social media. The video format, in particular, has performed well for the brand as it could “easily show” how the products work.
Besides running the business, Kovic spends her days raising awareness on alternative, eco-friendly ways of living via her TikTok account, which has amassed over 318,000 followers.
“Through my digital community, I’ve noticed firsthand how sharing practical tips, real-life experiences, and creative solutions can inspire people from all walks of life to make more sustainable choices, whether it’s through upcycling, reducing waste, or simply being more mindful about consumption.
“Platforms like TikTok allow us to really engage with our customers — or future customers — to answer any questions they might have or provide them with the information they may be looking for. In fact, it has completely transformed how we can promote sustainability by making it accessible, engaging, and community-driven.”
At the same time, TikTok’s global reach means that positive ideas can spread quickly, empowering consumers to take action in their everyday lives.
“I love how the platform brings together so many voices and perspectives. It often makes sustainability feel less overwhelming and more like a collective movement that we can all be part of.
“Our customers are also our biggest advocates. Our best-selling shampoo and conditioner set has over 600 five-star ratings and a much higher repurchase rate. That kind of endorsement helps new customers go the journey.”
