Leanne Faulkner

Leanne Faulkner's Biography

Many people in the business community might know Leanne Faulkner as “the soap lady” or the “goat lady”. Leanne’s youngest son had suffered with eczema from birth and in an effort to ease his discomfort she learned how to make goat’s milk soap as a gentle protective skin care alternative.

In 2004, Billie Goat Soap began. It was a humble affair initially and started in Leanne’s kitchen. By 2010 she had grown to employ over 20 people and sold the products in over 2000 outlets around the country. Billie Goat Soap was the NSW Business Chamber Business of the Year in 2010 and the Myer Supplier of the Year (general cosmetics) at around the same time. Leanne sold Billie Goat in 2012. 

The challenges that came with growing a small business came at a cost to Leanne’s mental health. Needing support, she was shocked to learn that there was nothing available specifically for her – a small business owner.  There were resources available for employees and the general public, but nothing for entrepreneurs and business owners. That put Leanne on a path to lobby for change…

As a small business mental health consultant Leanne has worked with a range of government departments, industry associations and corporate clients to help them better understand the realities of small business ownership.

She’s a keen collaborator and expert advisor focused on how big business and government can improve their support for their small business clients. Projects she’s worked on have included:

Consulting on wellbeing initiatives developed for the small business community

Educating employees on the realities of small business ownership

Advising on policies and procedures that may affect small business clients

Leanne has consulted on a range of projects that have been developed to support the mental health of small business people including:

Ahead for Business

My Business Health

Heads Up

and the original developer of the Victorian Small Business Mental Health Strategic Plan.