Page 36 - INSIGHT MAGAZINE_Oct2025

MEMBER PROFILE

‘You have to stay focused’

- Molloy’s Bulk Refill & Soap Supply

PHOTOS BY BRIAN RODNICK

Finding a niche is crucial for “But we didn’t know what to start.” The “It was very cool, and it wasn’t long
entrepreneurs, especially in a answer was found thanks to Pete’s former before we opened our second store
world where businesses are often sales and marketing job at a company that in Guelph,” says Pete, who worked at
centred on packaging and the manufacture the Cambridge location which had the
flooded with competition. of some soaps, which often left the former warehouse capacity required to create
Defining a niche not only helps in Kitchener resident with unsold odds and their growing list of products, including
distinguishing a brand but also in ends of various ingredients, including a bevy of cleaners, shampoos and bars of
establishing a clear, focused path for essentials oils. Initially, he toyed with the soap handcrafted by BJ.
success, something Pete Molloy and idea of selling these items online but at They have since enlisted the talent of
BJ O’Brien have been doing since they the suggestion of a relative, the couple a soap maker to help introduce a wider
opened Molloy’s Bulk Refill & Soap Supply took the plunge and opened a retail store selection of bars.
seven years ago in an Elgin Street North utilizing Pete’s manufacturing knowledge
storefront providing organic solutions to produce their own products. “It (Cambridge) had a very little store, so
in the household cleaners and skin care He credits BJ’s vision when it came to we just made it work,” adds BJ, who was
sectors. getting Molloy’s off the ground, referring working in event planning and marketing
“We always talked about starting to its model of allowing customers to at Langs Community Health Centre when
the first store opened but left to work
something and both had a bit of the purchase items in prepackaged and at Molloy’s full time to run the Guelph
entrepreneurial bug in us,” says BJ, taking branded containers and bottles which location.
a moment to chat, alongside husband they could refill, as well as use their own
Pete, in the office of their store’s new containers to fill up from a diverse supply
location on Bishop Street North. of bulk products.

36 Fall 2025 www.cambridgechamber.com