On her 25th birthday, Sophia Art found herself knee-deep in our planet’s plastic trash problem. She was visiting Bali and had booked a surfing class for her birthday. As she excitedly waded out into the water with her surfboard, she found herself in an ocean full of plastic trash.

“When you're in it — literally in trash, like up to your knees — it's something you just simply cannot unsee,” said Art. As a mental health professional who counseled clients on how to build a balanced, healthy relationship with themselves, it pained her to see the severely unbalanced and unhealthy relationship humans have with our planet. 

“Since then,” said Art, “I started thinking about how I can contribute to a world that is more clean… how we can be more conscious about our choices.”

Later, while Art was shopping, she held a luscious bar of all-natural soap in her hands and reveled in its lavish smell and silky feel. It occurred to her that she held the alternative to three plastic soap bottles. “And it just came to me in that moment,” Art said. “Of course, systemic change has to happen, but also, there is so much power in the collective action.”

What if even just everyone she knew chose a bar of soap over bottled soap? How many plastic bottles per year might be eliminated?

Art enrolled in a soap-making class, bought books, and attended workshops. Soon, she made her very first batch of organic, vegan soap, and just six months later, her business, Colibri, was born. She sought out the highest-quality ingredients for her soap, always keeping her earth-friendly ethos at the forefront of her business practices.

Equally important to her is the user experience. Art’s soaps are made with decadent moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, castor oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and vitamin E, all USDA organic. She avoids some commonly used, cheaper oils that contribute to deforestation. “So I do thorough research,” Art explained. “Not only on the ingredient list but beyond that, including where they come from.”

In early 2022, Art began selling her soap at the Port Angeles and Chimacum farmers markets. She loved meeting her clientele face-to-face and hearing their feedback and requests. These interactions guided Colibri’s expansion from offering soap to 20 eco-friendly products, including deodorant, lip balm, beard oil, and the current best-seller, face serum.

Even when Art isn’t present at the market, every bit of feedback is recorded and reported to her. “I am listening to everything,” she said. “I feel like this helps me to remain in this constant state of growth.”

Colibri has grown to vending at fairs, festivals, stores, and even more markets, including the Port Townsend Farmers Market. Art has found an incredible community within the markets that motivates and supports her business and her cause. Whenever possible, she collaborates with other local businesses to source ingredients such as beeswax, lavender, and herbs. She also hands out product samples to shoppers. 

“I always aspire to inspire,” she said. “I approach behavior change through compassion and the excitement and joy that comes from discovering and using an incredible product.” She sees Colibri as a vehicle for inspiring change. 

Art keeps both the health of her customers and the earth in mind. She prices her products low compared to similar luxury products to make them more accessible. When she introduces a new product, she seeks out the best biodegradable or recyclable packaging available. Most recently, she partnered with One Tree Planted. Art plants a tree for each purchase over $55 at the farmers market.

As she continues to strive for a more earth-conscious life and business, she hopes to be an ally and resource for others who wish to do the same. She understands that busy lives and convenient options can make it difficult.

“I just want to be a support system because I know what it’s like,” said Art. “No judgment, just a desire to elevate together.” She wants to encourage others to keep it simple and make small, incremental shifts. “I try to embody it and also see that I have a lot of room for improvement. For everyone — including me — it's one step at a time.” 

Colibri products can be found online at colibri.eco. To experience the products, visit Art at the Port Townsend or Chimacum farmers markets this season. You can also follow Art on Instagram for planet-conscious lifestyle tips, @hello.colibri.

Holly Erickson of Jefferson County Farmers Markets presents an inside look at the people, histories, and passions behind the booths of our community’s vibrant marketplaces. A longer version of this story will be published on the farmers market website.