VOYAGE LA: Meet Sophie Wizmann of Ourika Soap in Shadow Hills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Wizmann.

Sophie, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have always been very passionate about noble ingredients, textures, and colors. I am Moroccan born, raised in Canada and France, I had the privilege to enjoy a multi-cultural and international upbringing from an early age.

Genuine to my life between three societies, I try to break free from built-up codes to make a differentiating and brave universe. The soap in my hands, becomes a noble material, a work of art. A natural progression from 25 years working in the fashion industry, running several brands, ringing the nasdaq Bell and owning my own company (Babakul) with a retail chain. From living in Paris, India, New York, Miami & St Bart. I now reside in Los Angeles, California where I hand make Ourika Soaps.

While visiting the Ourika Valley and the Atlas Mountains to reconnect with my roots and the Berber women, I had the joy of experiencing the luxury of Moroccan Hammams and the simplicity of natural products. This ethereal, breathtaking experience inspired me to create Ourika soap, to celebrate my Moroccan heritage and modernize these age-old rituals by combining them with Western self-care.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing in life is a smooth road. The journey is what eventually creates the outcome.

Defining your position, your vision and your message takes time, thoughts hit and missed objectives.

The most important element when building a brand is to stay as true to yourself as possible, it’s conveying your message, your vision and of course an excellent product.

In beauty as in fashion, using the best products is key. Never settle for second best.

As the saying goes, “You are only as good as your product.”

In today’s virtual world, with so many options and visions, you must focus daily on standing out from the crowd while keeping your integrity. It’s a tricky game.

Please tell us about Ourika Soap.
Ourika Soap creates Organic cold-pressed handmade soaps, body and face oils and soon candles.

Ourika Soap cares for the environment and for your skin. We use only eco-friendly organic materials… All our ingredients are plant-based essential oils and lotions, or natural clays and Moroccan spices. Our soaps are handmade with care, using the traditional cold saponification process, which conserves glycerin to naturally soften and moisturize the skin. Argan Oil, Olive Oil, Shea Butter and Coconut oil are mixed with Loofah leaving your skin moisturized and radiant throughout the day. This method also helps protect our climate by requiring very little water and heat and banishing all synthetic, harmful materials.

Ourika Soap strives to preserve ancient Moroccan bathing traditions and make them accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Our soaps contain authentic Arabian spices and herbs, as wells nourishing oils and natural exfoliators, familiar features of Moroccan Hammams. At Ourika, the Berber women of Morocco inspire us, sharing their rituals and culture. We seek to give back to their community by helping them establish themselves.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing at all. The journey is just full of surprises that I cherish everyday.

Life has a funny way of steering you in the right direction, one step at a time.

I always prefer to take the road less traveled, it makes the adventure more authentic.