Our Story

The Boho story started back in 2018, when Jess Elliot created her first brand, Lil' Love Bugs, to pursue her passion for making natural body care products. This eventually evolved into Boho Body & Soul, which we now call Boho Body Care.

One thing led to another and she found herself attending local markets around the Bay of Plenty (New Zealand) most weekends, selling her soaps, skincare products and crystals.

Over the years, she built up a loyal customer base of people who loved her products. This was great and the markets have been fulfilling. However, it was time to take the business to the next level.

Jess and Callum team up

At the beginning of 2021, Jess decided to partner up with Callum Armstrong, the founder of Mānuka Essentials, Mānuka Sensations and Paste & Publish.

 

After working together casually and supporting each other as friends for a few years, they realised their complimentary skills and passions could help each other succeed.

After a few months of planning (and dreaming, and coffee), they made an agreement and joined forces to bring Boho to the world.

Mum's here to help us succeed

Jess' mother Barbara is a gem! Whilst she doesn't like to take the spotlight very often, Barbara is a key part of the Boho vision. Between taking care of Jess' boys (Rylan and Daxton), shipping orders, labelling products and being the 'go-to' for so many things, we couldn't do it without her support. Thanks Mum.

Enter: The Boho Store

We have some pretty big dreams, and The Boho Store is an important part of bringing them to life. Activate Tauranga helped us get into this building, which you can find at the entrance to Piccadilly Arcade, 47 Devonport Road, Downtown Tauranga. 

 

Here's what you'll find in our store:

  • A range of stunning soaps and natural body care products that you can choose from.
  • Our plant depot - we sell house plants and native seedlings to decorate your home and reforest your backyard.
  • Crystals of all shapes, colours and sizes.
  • Candles, reed diffusers and essential oils.
  • Mānuka Essentials and Mānuka Sensations products.
  • Lagom Design artwork.
  • Burnt Clay pottery.
  • A refill station for body/hand wash and cleaning spray (less plastic, yay!).
  • The opportunity to have freshly made aromatherapy roller blends in-store.
We're always thinking of new products to make. Got an idea? Let us know (hello@boho.nz) and we might even develop it!

The Boho Store is more than just a shop

We are a centre of innovation, sustainable business, education and a brand incubator to help ideas get off the ground:

  • You can watch us manufacture products in-store, as part of the 'factory shop' experience.
  • We are also going to be hosting workshops very soon. If you're keen to learn how to make awesome natural body care products yourself, register your interest by emailing us at hello@boho.nz and we'll be in touch when we start running events. We can also do private events for larger groups.
  • We can custom develop products for your brand or private label some of our ranges. The sky's the limit, and we can start with small quantities to help get you going. Email Jess@boho.nz to find out more.