Simply Samui Spa Products History

A business women had a vision….

Over 120 years ago the sleepy tropical island of Koh Samui located in the Gulf of Thailand had a change. Local farmers started cultivating coconut plantations. Farmers prospered and the local people sustained a good way of life through growing coconuts.

Thirty years ago “backpacker” tourists discovered “the land of coconuts” and over the following years land owners sold their beachside plantations to make room for luxury tourist resorts. Landowners benefited but workers found a decline in farming.

After re-locating to Thailand a business woman found that the farmers had developed a traditional way of extracting a very pure virgin coconut oil and that this oil was perfect for use as a base for aromatherapy, spa and body care product for use in the expanding local tourist industry. Even the husks and shells are used for packaging.

A pure botanical, truly natural range of first-class Simply Samui Spa Products was born all made with expertise and love. Inspired by the health benefits of organic Thai and aromatherapy ingredients the blends created are ingenious. Exotic and tropical the natural spa products smell divine and enhance the natural healing of the mind, body and soul.

Shelagh is passionate about creating exquisite designs of products for resorts,hotels,spa’s and retail to suit any company image. Hand carved timeless packaging is made from recycled coconut and mulberry trees. Taking 6 weeks to make, by hand, using the traditional skills of local Samui craftsmen and women.

Her concept is to place the spa product inside the bottle or jar then into her special design of coconut or mulberry container. That means when the product is finished you have a beautiful timepiece for your dressing table or bathroom.She promises a truly exceptional result.

This environmentally friendly company has created a booming cottage industry by increasing the benefits of rural productivity, employment, conservation of the environment and culture, local people’s involvement and a suitable way of adapting traditional beliefs and values to modern times.

Behing the scenes-East meets west

     Shelagh ,the founder of Simply Samui Co Ltd is a  highly professional lady, with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the medical, health, spa and retail business.”I wanted to have a one stop shop concept. I design the product with amazing packaging to be different to anything you have seen before. Perfect for the retail and mini bar amenity in your resort or spa and also bulk for use in the resort rooms or spa. Even the label design is done by my team. I get so much reward from my initial thought for the design to  seeing the product as a finished item”

 Seeing the development of the Island Shelagh wanted to help re-use the coconut trees and  put something back into the community by keeping traditional family values alive. Also, to have a rewarding, fulfilling life.

The magical, spiritual energy of Samui enables her to live her dream of creating natural spa products. She is passionate about life on Samui . She is family orientated and always there to help others in need.

    After realizing a niche in the market for a complete range of natural spa and bathroom products and three years of planning and research the ranges are now completed. The Signature Tropical Coconut Range is great for dry skins.It smells good enough to eat and is so concenrated and rich you only need use a tiny amount.

 She believes to be the first foreigner to undertake a project such as this.

        Every detail and aspect of the business is controlled personally. Working alongside with the local coconut farmers, controlling marketing, packaging and distribution of this completely natural range of products to selected 5 star spas, resorts, hotels, retail outlets. Our customers include Four Seasons and Six Senses Hideaway Resorts, plus others. The long term plan is to market worldwide. Joining recently with a well successful  Thai manufacturing company means that production of the spa products is faster and quantities can be much larger now. Now the market has been established Simply Samui is ready for the world to be its oyster!!

Shelagh, a lively, Shelagh,a friendly ‘farang” (foreigner in Thai)made her home in Samui five years ago with her family.

 After having daily spa treatments to help her long term back and neck injury and arthritis she soon realized that the Thai’s have traditional herbal remedies and treatments to assist the natural healing process. Also that they are the best masseurs with their gentle nature they make excellent spa therapists.

Originally from England but living in Europe for many years has led a busy life. After graduating in London she went into Sales, Marketing and Buying within the fashion industry and worked her way up the ladder to become youngest fashion buyer for Fenwick’s, then gained much experience of customer service and man management working for Harrods as a manager. Her Father had his own printing, sales and marketing company, so she was brought up with the business.

 In the late 80’s she decided to change career direction, going into Human Resources and training and help set up large corporate training programmes for the high fashion retail sector. Her passion for first-class quality in products has been very important, always working with the best to give the best. A self-motivated entrepreneur with a zest for life and challenges.

In Europe she had her own exclusive spa and catered for the high rollers. She often assisted her Husband with corporate entertainment in his luxury yacht business. They retired to Samui for a quality life and to relax!!.As her children were both at school Shelagh wanted to get involved with helping the community. She began by staff training in hotels and spas to improve standards and service. Also as her role as  Spa Consultant who knows the Samui market inside out.She has helped Samui spa’s upgrade their image and open new spa’s.

 Samui for her is a place of spiritual energy, a safe place to bring up her children and the future looks bright with more high end resorts and homes coming here. Her only sadness is seeing the coconut trees diminish over the years as “The Land of Coconuts” really is a Paradise.

Through Simply Samui now Shelagh has a positive way of supporting the local farmers and keeping the traditional values strong.

She is happy to show tourists the coconut farms and the traditional cold pressed method of virgin coconut oil processing, basically, how the coconut gets from the tree into the finished product.

This is an educational method for tourists to take a part of the magic of Coconuts from Samui home with them. Every time they use our products they will have happy thoughts. Of course the local spas and hotels will benefit by using our products as they are truly natural, local and made with a true love for Samui and its future.

Please contact Shelagh personally for any enquiries by email: shelagh@simplysamui.com

Have a healthy, harmonious and happy day.