LAKE+MAIN started with something pretty simple: a shared love of good skincare.
What began as a conversation between friends about a collection of small-batch, natural skincare formulas eventually became something much bigger. In 2023, Aly and Lisa took the leap and launched Lake + Main online. Not long after, they found themselves transforming the former Westport Bakery into the shop and production space we know today.
In an episode of the Watercolor Westport Stories podcast, Aly and Lisa sat down to talk about that journey—and what it actually looks like to build a small business in a small community.
They talk about why Westport felt like the right place for LAKE+MAIN, what they've learned about growing a business, and why community has been such an important part of the brand from the beginning.
They also get into something that has always mattered deeply to us: transparency.
The beauty industry isn't as regulated as many people assume, which is one of the reasons we've always believed customers deserve to know exactly what's in the products they're putting on their skin. For Aly and Lisa, skincare isn't just about making something look good. It's about understanding ingredients, making thoughtful choices, and taking a longer-term view of skin health.
And, of course, there's plenty of behind-the-scenes conversation about what it's actually like to make and sell products in small batches—from sourcing packaging and ingredients to learning from the occasional production mistake.
It's not always glamorous. But it's real.
One of our favourite parts of the conversation is hearing Aly and Lisa talk about the local relationships that have become part of LAKE+MAIN's story, including partnerships with nearby businesses like Maple Ridge Farm, where we source the honey used in HONEY BOMB.
That's really what this episode is about: the people and places behind Lake + Main.
If you've ever wondered how the brand came to be, why Westport became home, or what goes on behind the scenes of a small skincare company, this is a lovely introduction to the story.
Watch Aly and Lisa on Watercolor Westport Stories.
And if you're new here, welcome. We're so glad you're along for the ride.
