Over 120 years ago the sleepy tropical island of Koh Samui located in the Gulf of Thailand had a change. Local farmers started cultivating coconut plantations. Farmers prospered and the local people sustained a good way of life through growing coconuts.

Thirty years ago “backpacker” tourists discovered “the land of coconuts” and over the following years land owners sold their beachside plantations to make room for luxury tourist resorts. Landowners benefited but workers found a decline in farming.

After re-locating to Thailand a European Business woman found that the farmers had developed a traditional way of extracting a very pure virgin coconut oil and that this oil was perfect for use as a base for aromatherapy, spa and body care product for use in the expanding local tourist industry. Even the husks and shells are used for packaging.

A truly natural range of first-class Simply Samui  Spa Products was born all made with expertise and love. Inspired by the health benefits of organic Thai and aromatherapy ingredients the blends created are ingenious. Exotic and tropical the natural spa products smell divine and enhance the natural healing of the mind, body and soul.

Shelagh is passionate about creating exquisite designs of products for resorts,hotels,spa’s and retail to suit any company image. Hand carved timeless packaging is made from recycled coconut and mulberry trees. Taking 6 weeks to make, by hand, using the traditional skills of local Samui craftsmen and women.

Her concept is to place the spa product inside the bottle or jar then into her special design of coconut container or Saa paper packaging (mulberry tree bark)

This means when the product is finished you have a beautiful timepiece for your dressing table or bathroom. She promises a truly exceptional result.

This environmentally friendly Woman has created a booming cottage industry by increasing the benefits of rural productivity, employment, conservation of the environment and culture, local people’s involvement and a suitable way of adapting traditional beliefs and values to modern times.

Behind the scenes-East meets west

Shelagh  Foster,the founder of Simply Samui Co Ltd is a  highly professional lady, with a wealth of experience and knowledge in the medical, health, spa and retail business.”I wanted to have a one stop shop concept. I design the product with amazing packaging to be different to anything you have seen before. Perfect for the spa at home ,retail and mini bar amenity in your resort or spa and also bulk for use in the resort rooms or spa. Even the label design is done by myself. I get so much reward from my initial thought for the design to seeing the product as a finished item”

Seeing the development of the Island, Shelagh wanted to help re-cycle the coconut trees and put something back into the community by keeping traditional family values alive.

Also, to have a rewarding, fulfilling life. The magical, spiritual energy of Samui enables her to live her dream of creating natural spa products. She is passionate about life on Samui. She is family orientated and always there to help others in need.

After realizing a niche in the market for a complete range of natural spa and bathroom products and three years of planning and research the ranges are now completed.

She believes to be the first foreigner in Samui to undertake a project such as this.

Every detail and aspect of the business is controlled by Shelagh personally. Working alongside with the local coconut farmers, controlling marketing, packaging and distribution of this natural range of products to selected 5 star spas, resorts, hotels, retail outlets. Customers include Four Seasons, Six Senses Hideaway Resorts,W Resort,Napasai Oriental Resort,Central Hotels,Dara Group,Pandora Resorts,Sala Samui  plus others.

Simply Samui’s  ranges include Natural shampoos, conditioners, hair treatment masks, shower gels, bath crystals, bubble bath, soaps, body scrubs, body wraps, body butters, body lotions, facial care, essential oils, aromatherapy massage oils and products, feet and hand care…

Simply Samui’s Signature Samui Tropical Coconut Range is great for dry skins. It smells good enough to eat and is so concentrated and rich you only need use a tiny amount.

Heavenly Detox Range   -a sensuous, unique blend of pure coffee, orange and  coconut essential oils and Shea Butter to slough off dead skin, eliminate toxins, moisturize and keep cellulite at bay.

Chocolate lover Range is the range for chocoholics- without the calories

Thai Fruits and Flowers  Fusion Range – Moke,Mangosteen,Strawberry,Pineapple,Papaya,Frangipani,Rose,Lotus,Jasmine,Lemongrass,

Tamarind

The fabulous Romance sensual range for weddings and special occasions.

The ranges use Traditional Thai ingredients handed down over many generations. Thai’s have the amazing ability to combine nature with health and looking young.

Simply Samui brand new  Men’s and Ladies Facial ranges launched in March 2010 include cleansers, toners, moisturizers, face masks, face massage creams, eye creams : Tamarind (anti ageing, anti-acne and whitening, great for all skins) Jasmine Rice( revitalizing dry, sensitive skins, gives a youthful appearance )Lotus Flower Blend(regenerating and rejuvenating for combination, normal, dry mature skins ) Pineapple and Papaya (Fresh and light for sensitive and dry skins – anti-oxidant, rejuvenating  anti –ageing great for young skins and sensitive skins)  and of course Tropical Coconut(for pre-sun and  all skin types)

Shelagh, a lively and friendly ‘farang” (foreigner in Thai) made her home in 2005 on Samui with her family.

The Island of Coconuts captured her heart in 2004 when Shelagh first holidayed with her Husband.

The following year they moved here from a glitzy lifestyle in Europe with their two children and made their  home here. She love’s the informal life, the incredible energy of the Island-along with the peacefulness and serenity here and of course the Thai people who are friendly and charming. The Buddist nature makes Samui a safe and happy place to live and work and bring up the children.

After having daily spa treatments to help her long term back and neck injury and arthritis she soon realized that the Thai’s have traditional herbal remedies and treatments to assist the natural healing process. Also that they are the best masseurs with their gentle nature they make excellent spa therapists.

Originally from England but living in Europe for many years has led a busy life. After graduating in London she went into Sales, Marketing and Buying within the fashion industry and worked her way up the ladder to become youngest fashion buyer for Fenwick’s, then gained much experience of customer service and man management working for Harrods as a fashion buyer and senior manager. Her Father had his own printing, sales and marketing company, so she was brought up with the marketing and design business.

Shelagh’s  Son, Ben, now follows in this Family’s creative footsteps as a freelance Photographer and Graphic Designer based in Phuket. See his work  on www.thailandphotography.net

Now Shelagh is also gently introducing her daughter into the Business to take over when She retires in 10 years (never if you know Shelagh,a workaholic!!!)

In the late 80’s She decided to change career direction, going into Human Resources and training and help set up large corporate training programmes for the high fashion and lifestyle sector. Her passion for first-class quality in products has been very important, always working with the best to give the best. A self-motivated entrepreneur with a zest for life and challenges.

In Europe She had her  own exclusive business and catered for the high rollers. She often assisted Her Husband with corporate entertainment in his luxury yacht business. They retired to Samui for a quality life and to relax!!.As her children were both at school Shelagh wanted to get involved with helping the community. She began by staff training in hotels and spas to improve standards and service. Also as her role as  Spa Consultant who knows the Samui market inside out. She has helped several Samui spa’s upgrade their image and open new spa’s.

Samui for her is a place of spiritual energy, a safe place to bring up her children and the future looks bright with higher end resorts and homes coming here. Her only sadness is seeing the coconut trees diminish over the years as “The Land of Coconuts” really is a Paradise.

Through Simply Samui now Shelagh has a positive way of supporting the local farmers and keeping the traditional values strong.

She is happy to show  tourists the coconut farms and the traditional cold pressed method of virgin coconut oil processing, basically, how the coconut gets from the tree into the finished product.

This is an educational method for tourists to take a part of the magic of Coconuts from Samui home with them. Every time they use our products they will have happy thoughts. Of course the local spas and hotels will benefit by using our products as they are truly natural, local and made with a true love for Samui and its future.

Simply  Samui Co Ltd has gone from strength to strength since the new company structure was set up in February 2009. Joining with a very well respected International spa product manufacturer based in Bangkok manufacturing and packaging all the products. Along with this merger the products of Simply Samui Co Ltd   now have the GMP Thai government seal of approval and GMP number plus FDA approval.  It’s the same International recognized approval required for EU certification.

Simply Samui is ready for the growing demand of Thai spa’s products and can cope now with large quantities and faster delivery times. Now the market has been established Simply Samui is ready for the world to be its oyster!! New export customers include the countries of France,Hong Kong,China,Australia,United Kingdom

In addition  many new lines have been created to include the original designs of Coconut range that are part of the expansive selection of  facial,body,hair,massage natural spa products. Now with over 500 different products there is something for every demand. Shelagh remains up to date with market trends, as always.

Shelagh and Simply Samui Co Ltd remain supportive of the local craftsmen and women in Samui who continue to hand carve the coconut wooden accessories that compliment the products. They recycle the coconut trees that have been cut down for development of hotels and housing on Samui.

Each coconut wood timepiece takes about 6-8 weeks to create and is a work of art. The tubs of bath salts,body scrubs,body creams then go into the lovely coconut wood container.

After the beauty product has finished you are left with a trinket pot to use forever.

For all the bottles for shampoos,massage oils,body lotions,facial mists,suncreams etc  is  a unique coconut wooden lid to seal the bottle.Even the string to tie up the gift boxes is made from coconuts.

Also the base coconut oils are still manufactured on Samui, using the traditional Thai cold pressing methods.

Shelagh remains loyal to you and committed as ever and assure you that consistent quality and personal attentive service by Her is paramount. A first class product with personal assurance from the owner that She handle’s all aspects of the business.

Her office is  at her private unique retreat in the Southern mountains of Samui . Apart from spa products design and manufacturing Shelagh continues to create new packaging from natural materials, coconut wooden items, spa consultancy   and spa design and set up is offered. Shelagh also offers spa therapists training on or off site for every area of spa operation and treatments. Coming soon is the exclusive natural spa and beauty  products retail shop in Chaweng and on line shopping through www.simplysamui.com

Please contact Shelagh personally for all orders,any enquiries by email: shelagh@simplysamui.com

Have a healthy, harmonious and happy day.

Thank you for your kind assistance and support and remind you  all to  work in harmony and peace in this ever competitive world and above all be green ,respect and protect our environment.

Teach our children to take care of the environment and each other.

Shelagh is a Member of Thai Spa Association, Skal International, Skal Samui,

Simply Samui Co Ltd An Official Sponsor of Intraflash Events .