Our founder, Chew Jia Tian, passed away in Oct 2023 at the age of 33. She had been working on Rough Beauty for 9 years. We dedicate this page to her and hope it comes a cherished space where her legacy lives on, inspiring love, kindness and the values she held dear.
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Everyday, we remember and honour the legacy of our beloved founder, Chew Jia Tian, whose vision and passion for handcrafted soaps brought Rough Beauty to life. Jia Tian was more than a founder; she was the heart and soul of Rough Beauty. Through the brand, she created products and experiences to inspire mindful living. She had a gift for turning everyday moments and routines into experiences, and her products were little pieces of art that made life more beautiful.
When she began crafting soaps, she started with the basic melt-and-pour process while she was still studying, and selling them to nursing classmates. Encouraged by their positive response, she journeyed to Malacca to learn from a Taiwanese soap-maker the cold process method of soap-making. Excited by the newfound skill, she continued making soaps in her parents' kitchen, but quickly outgrew it. That's when her business began to flourish.
As she oversaw the growth of Rough Beauty, it became clearer to Jia Tian that she wanted to delight her customers and deliver mindful experiences through her products and services. She developed Rough Beauty's mission and values around this vision.
She was kind to animals, showing empathy for their fragile lives. Her love for cats led her to adopt three street cats, and she named one of Rough Beauty's soap after her third cat, Mari. She was a regular donor to various cat rescuers and organizations.
Jia Tian cared deeply about others. Seeing her grandmothers age and struggle with dementia inspired her to find ways to make their elderly years better. She also championed the importance of strong community support for caregivers in similar situations.
In remembrance of Jia Tian's compassionate and love for others around her, let's carry forward the torch of kindness she so brightly lit. From 24 Nov 2023 to 31 Jan 2024, 10% of Rough Beauty's online proceeds will go to support these causes that she cared deeply about.