Check Out Courtney Fillion’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Fillion.

Hi Courtney, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
After years of watching our recycling bin fill at a faster rate than our trash can, we decided to implement some big changes in our household. The challenge to eliminate waste from one’s life can be daunting and we are fortunate enough to have the time and resources to attempt such a challenge. At first, it was easy to find zero-waste options for items sold in bulk (nuts, rice, seeds, pasta, grains, etc). I’d just load my trunk with empty mason jars and head to one of our local co-ops. What we could never find, however, were household and personal hygiene products, so we began the task of learning to make our own.

Our first aim was to make a liquid hand soap from a Castile base. The process looked complicated at first, in that it involves chemicals like potassium hydroxide (KOH), but after we got the hang of it, we found joy in the process. And to our great surprise, the hand soap was much gentler and more moisturizing than the store-bought brands we’d been using. I’ve always suffered from dry hands in the winter, but with this soap, my hands are finally free of painful cuts and dry patches. We felt encouraged and began exploring other products we could make. Basically, we (my then 18-year-old daughter and I) began examining the contents of our recycling bin to see what we could make ourselves in order to eliminate waste. We spent hours researching formulations, environmental guidelines, and sourcing options for raw ingredients. For over a year, we took vigorous notes, altered our recipes, failed, and tried again.

Once we’d received positive reviews from our family and closest friends, we began to consider ways to make these products available to others. Delivery always felt like an option, but a brick-and-mortar re-fill store was our initial concept. Given the collective circumstances we had found ourselves in (Covid), delivery seemed the only logical choice. Also, it is more environmentally friendly for one car to travel in a well-crafted loop, than for ten cars to travel from point A to point B.

After a year online, we decided to branch into the world of markets and were welcomed by dozens of amazing vendors. They have become our customers, teachers, and friends. Furthermore, market life has helped give us the opportunity to meet our customers in person and expand our mission. Customers can return containers to us (upon return, all containers hold a $3 value), purchase new products, ask questions and provide feedback.

We like to think of Just as a collective endeavor— a community effort to reduce waste and limit our impact on Earth.

When choosing the name Just, we did so for three very important reasons. First, ‘just’ means local. For us, this means we do not ship our products. Our aim is to reduce the travel weight (oil) placed on products by keeping them local. Second, ‘just’ means simple and our products are carefully crafted in small batches, with as few, natural ingredients as possible. Our recipes are bio-degradable and our reusable container system is structured to eliminate waste. Third, ‘just’ means equitable and our aim is to make our products accessible to everyone. We know that compared with standard brand prices, our prices are high.

Because we are crafting small batches from high-quality ingredients, they have to be. That said, if you want to participate in our community, but cannot afford our prices, we understand and want to help. We have a financial aid page on our website (www.justtoledo.net) and encourage anyone who needs it to fill out the application. Or, if we are at the market, simply let us know, and together we will find a solution. It is our deepest belief that everyone deserves clean products and a healthy planet.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When we began this mission, I often told my family and friends that I was going to run this business instead of ‘it running me.’ After 3 and a half years, this adage has become laughable. I often feel as though I am at its behest. That said, I am learning to create boundaries around work and personal time; it’s pretty obvious, but you are definitely better at your job when you’ve taken the time to rest and refuel.

Additionally, when I used to frequent markets, I’d look longingly at the vendors, imagining an idyllic work life–making and selling items you love—what could be better? Now that I’m active in the markets, the veil has lifted. Market life is demanding. You work in wind, rain, heat, and freezing cold temperatures. Your body hurts from hours of standing and bending. Sometimes, you are so busy you can barely think, and other times, you feel completely invisible. I have been humbled by my naivety.

Finally, like most other businesses, the supply chain has presented us with a multitude of challenges. Sometimes, raw ingredients or containers become suddenly unavailable and we have to rethink everything in order to keep going.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a BFA in Creative Writing and Psychology and have published several poems in small literary magazines. I also have a poem stamped on the sidewalk near the Great Lakes Museum in Toledo. Twenty years ago, I pivoted from poetry and started a small photography company that has grown organically over the years. I specialize in family portraiture and have a passion for abstract art.

I am the mother of two daughters (ages 20 and 17) and am deeply proud of them both. My eldest daughter has been my partner since our inception. She has helped develop and manage the website, oversees the production of several products, manufactures compostable parts for our jars, works at the markets, and is our head dishwasher. My youngest daughter has also worked at the markets and has been on call to help in any number of ways.

I’ve been with my partner, Tom, for over twelve years. While working a full-time job, he has helped us build every part of the business. He outfitted our entire workspace and is often found carrying crates into the market. There is no way I could have done all of this without their help.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Having grown up on the shores of Lake Huron, proximity to water always makes me happy; I have always been moved by its power and mercurial nature.

I have an obsession with books and look forward to the years when I’ll gain back the time to read them. And as trite as it may sound, I savor quality time with my husband, children, family, and friends.

Pricing:

• Laundry Detergent $0.25/ounce
• Crackers $1.50/ounce
• Castile Hand Soap $0.60/ounce
• Deodorant $3.00/ounce
• All containers hold a $3 refund upon return

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justtoledo.net
• Instagram: @justtoledo
• Facebook: Just Toledo

Image Credits
Courtney Fillion Photography