“I really feel like we've entered an age where people are realizing that we need to put our money where our mouth is when it comes to the importance of making a better future for the planet and the inhabitants on it,” said former Fanshawe fine arts and continuing studies student, Jamie Sabot.

And she's doing just that, one bath bomb and body butter at a time.

Her business, Batty's Bath, offers delicious bath products made with cruelty free and vegan friendly ingredients. Most of the ingredients are local, or if she can't find them locally, she will source ethically responsible Canadian suppliers that have “fair trade compliant” ingredients.

Sabot started in the fine arts program at Fanshawe and while she enjoyed it, she never felt it was completely “right” for her. After taking a job at an Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals' shelter one summer, she realized she couldn't return back to her program.

“It felt so selfish for me to spend so much time working on ‘my art,'” she said.

So she remained with OSPCA for five years, while picking up continuing studies courses in public relations and corporate communications, business communications and other related topics that helped her establish the business model she wanted.

Now she's opened shop, so to speak. Interested customers will only find her yummy stuff online for now. It's the most manageable method for the full-time Brescia University College psychology student who also works part-time as an administrative assistant at the Brescia Foundation Office. There's also her second business — She's Batty Designs — and her degenerative bone disease, ankylosing spondylitis, that keep her busy.

“It's a bit crazy but this is the way I've always been — busy!” she explained about balancing everything.

But being a small business owner is worth it — especially putting out handmade products, she said.

“The exciting thing is.. knowing that when things succeed, it was because of me,” she said. “It's also exciting to be part of the handmade movement that has really taken off again in the last five-10 years.”

“(People) want something that has a story behind it.”

Sabot's eco-friendly products certainly do have a story behind them. As a self-proclaimed “tree hugger,” she integrates her motto of “tread lightly” into what she creates — whether it's through the ingredients she uses or in her packaging.

“I couldn't make my products any other way because it just wouldn't feel right and I certainly wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I was part of the problem rather than the solution,” she said.

The local community also seems to agree with her emphasis on ethical products as support for Batty's Bath goods has been great, she said. She has already been approached by several stores for consignment, but hasn't accepted any offers yet. She's currently hoping to reach some wholesale agreements in the next few months in order to get her products in local stores eventually, she said.

Some of her products include the delicious chocolate covered strawberries lip balm, citrus mist body scrub, coconut cream whipped body butter and other mouth-watering flavours, all available in adorable bars and containers.

She may just make bath products, but the care put into them speaks to a greater cause.

“Many people are looking for something with a little more meaning than the mass produced stuff you'll find at the local department stores,” she said.

“I'm so glad to be one of the many artisans who is filling this gap and reminding people that the simple things in life are often the most rewarding.”

You can check out Sabot's products at www.battysbath.com. She also offers free home delivery within London.