Brooklan Tree is an all-natural and organic range of skin and baby care products, operating from Allenby Gardens.
Cass shared with us some of business learnings and experience participating in our Business Support Program.
Business Journey
Cass began her business journey 18 years ago, following a diverse range of experience as a beauty therapist.
“I was always interested in natural products when I first started my beauty career and there wasn't a lot of natural products around at the time.”
Cass learnt lots about skincare products in salons and as a state manager for a well-known brand. Once she had her three kids, she decided to follow her passion and start her own skincare business.
The name ‘Brooklan Tree’ is a blend of her children’s names – Brooke, Christian, and Dylan. The word ‘Tree’ represents growth, renewal, and family, which fit well with a family tree logo and brand meaning. Her sister-in-law created her design and still creates her product labels today.
Cass began doing beauty from home and started making products – the first one was instant manicure and the rest is history.
As Cass expanded the skincare range, she was working out of home and started the business with party planning. This stage of the business had Brooklan Tree representatives doing on average 30 parties a week.
As times changed, she pivoted the business to lean on her beauty therapist experience.
Outgrowing and Moving
Around eight years ago, an opportunity came up to rent a space on Queen Street, where her retail store was for three and a half years. “It was a tiny shop, but it was a really good chance for me to get out and see how I would go being in a business premises”, reflects Cass. The shop was at ground level and then she had all of her packaging in the downstairs cellar. The location was close to home, however she soon grew out of the space.
Her current location came up just as the pandemic hit and she was lucky enough to get a good lease to try it for a year.
Some of her products are also sold in local City of Charles Sturt businesses and beyond.
The Range
Brooklan Tree has a diverse range of products including cleansers, fresheners (similar to a toner, without the alcohol), Myrtle spritz, moisturisers, day oils, masks, baby products, scrubs, organic teas, recovery products, haircare, and serums.
Cass works with lots of teenagers to help target hormonal skin but generally works with all ages - often customers are seeking more natural products.
Brooklan Tree’s products have a long shelf life anywhere from 12 months to two years.
Cass is very against animal testing, so you can be sure that Brooklan Tree products aren’t tested on animals.
At their retail store, Brooklan Tree also offers massages and facials (with all natural and organic products by Brooklan Tree). These services are popular as gift vouchers, especially around the festive season.
Benefits of Shopping Local
Cass understands first-hand how being a sole business owner is a lot of work. She personally creates all the products herself, manages accounts, speaks with customers, and more. There are benefits to this - customers like that when they call or have questions about use, they speak with Cass. She also creates custom products for customers, which is a great way to gain market research and test new product lines.
Cass aims to be ethical and sustainable with all her orders and packaging – she has just switched to a new packaging alternative. We love to hear how businesses are making sustainable choices – this is also great for her clientele as those who are conscious about what's going into their skincare products are more likely to want to shop local and sustainably.
Advice and Learnings
We asked Cass what advice she had for other business owners.
“It’s a long process and at times you want to give up - don't. Just focus on your business and what you want to do. Sometimes you have to put blinkers on and not look at what everybody else is doing.” Cass explains that in her industry, it's very easy to get caught up in competition. “Not saying that I don't look but I try not to let it affect me as such. I just focus on what my goal is and what I need to do.”
“It's so great with the City of Charles Sturt with everybody who works there, and you just feel so special being part of the local business leaders,” Cass says, “It’s amazing just chatting to other business owners and feels that some of the people you meet, you could message them and ask for help or advice. (Western Business Leaders) events make you feel quite welcome, and you learn about different businesses, so you also try support them as well.”
Why Charles Sturt?
“I was lucky enough to have a few grants over the years for website, search engine optimisation, and social media guidance.”
Her business advisor set-up a monthly social media guide and Canva templates, to help her plan out her social media posts. Currently she is using a grant to learn more about Google advertising, to think bigger than Facebook and Instagram.
Cass says she chose Charles Sturt as the place to business because she wanted somewhere near home (as she’s always lived in the west), as she is quite often backwards and forwards doing online orders. She also loves the support from council, as it’s helped her stay motivated and positive.
What’s next?
Brooklan Tree aims to have a dedicated baby range in the new year and bring out some new products, based on consistent customer feedback.
You can find Brooklan Tree at 103 Grange Road, Allenby Gardens, 5009.
You can visit their website and shop online/book here.
Cassandra accessed our Business Support Program to receive marketing expertise and coaching.
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Emma Grivell
Business Engagement Advisor - Urban Projects
E: egrivell@charlessturt.sa.gov.au