Community Highlights: Meet Carol McEwin of Lilly Sage Apothecary

Lilly Sage Apothecary opened in Roswell, Georgia, in December of 2017. Our intent was to provide our community with a completely unique gift shopping experience. The plan was to integrate the manufacturing, and sale of self-branded natural/eco-friendly and artisan-made body and facial care products, within an elegant retail gift environment. Our production lab is visually open in the back of the retail shop. We literally manufacture within the same space. This layout was designed to invoke a traditional apothecary (compounding remedies) experience within a retail shop.

After opening the shop, with the intent of expanding our products into the production of facial skincare, I undertook formal training in organic skincare formulation at Formula Botanica, an accredited United Kingdom-based college. I have since completed the program earning several certifications. This degree program is very equivalent to an associate’s degree in the United States.

In 2021, we launched the LS.Topaz Botanical Skincare brand. The LS.T product line is entirely facial skincare. The two brands, Lilly Sage and LS.T, are consistent in that they are exclusively composed of natural and sustainable ingredients sourced from all over the world. However, we view LS.T as a unique brand because its brand identity is different. Lilly Sage is based on clean-ingredient soap production. It’s a playful and family-oriented brand; whereas, LS.T is elegant and sophisticated. Its target customer is an educated working adult who prefers organic, sustainability-produced, age-defying facial care. Both brands were created by Lilly Sage LLC, but each has a unique website, as well as, a social media presence.

You’ve heard it – p.a.n.d.e.m.i.c. We pivoted in a few ways by expanding both in products and education. This future growth had been included in our original business plan; however, the anticipated timeline changed. The pandemic opened a window, enabling the time for continued education and related creativity. From this perspective the extra time was helpful and well utilized!

I held a position with Wash Depot for 18 years. They are a midsize corporation and I held a senior-level management position. My role was as creative as it was logically demanding. I learned a great deal about business management and product branding. The position was critical to my development as an entrepreneur.

Great question. I have success – we are successful. Around town, in Roswell, Georgia, I am personally known as, Carol/Miss Lilly Sage. That part is fun. In the shop we are seeing ever-increasing traffic. We are very pleased with the direction of LS.Topaz Botanical Skincare. These customers are returning over and over to refill products, as well as, to give them as gifts. We have amazing reviews, and I’ve been recognized by the school I attended for organic skincare formulation. All this is very rewarding. We look forward to introducing new SKUs, continuing a positive revenue trend, and we are focused on wholesale growth. The sum… I have joy in my life.