Based in Stafford, Sophic Hair Care produces sustainable, non-toxic hair care products designed for professional salons and individuals who prioritise ethical and environmental responsibility in their purchasing choices.

Back to the roots

Founder Amanda Thompson launched Sophic after a personal journey of discovery. Diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune condition 20 years ago, she became increasingly conscious of the chemicals she used, and was soon frustrated by the lack of transparency around ingredients in hair care products.

“I would go to the hairdressers and ask them questions, and they didn’t know the answers,” Amanda explains. “I think being curious from the start – asking where things come from, how they’re produced, and whether they’re healthy for the environment – shaped everything we do at Sophic.”

Amanda then bought her own salon, but always with the goal of eventually launching her own range of hair care products. “In order to do that,” she explains, “I had to understand what salons needed and how best to service them.”

In 2019, Amanda launched Sophic, with a focus on creating salon-proven formulas that deliver vibrant results while avoiding synthetic fragrances, sulfates, silicones and other harsh ingredients. The company is also dedicated to cruelty-free and vegan practices, ensuring that its products are never tested on animals and contain no animal-derived ingredients.

Sustainability is at the heart of Sophic’s approach – not only in the formulations behind its products, but also in its packaging choices. The brand’s CARE range is packaged in recycled glass and aluminium, which can be infinitely recycled, unlike plastic.

“The creation of the brand actually started with a bottle,” Amanda shares. “We wanted to source glass made from recycled materials and found the best option was actually a beer bottle manufactured here in Brisbane by Vissy. It’s made from 70 percent recycled glass and repurposed for our shampoos and conditioners.”

The brand’s products are also shipped in cardboard boxes with corn starch beads, which can be composted, dissolved in water, or even eaten.

Crucially, Sophic also minimises environmental impact by keeping production local. More than 75 percent of the brand’s costs are sourced from local and independent suppliers, and the brand has featured several Australian native botanicals. Manufacturing also takes place within 50 kilometres of the company’s headquarters.

“What I love about running a business in Brisbane is the community, and the access to local businesses all around us that can provide the supplies and services we need,” Amanda says. “Keeping suppliers and manufacturers close enables us to reduce our carbon footprint, which is central to our mission.”

The business of beauty

While Sophic is known for its sustainability, Amanda’s strong business acumen has been just as critical to its success. Before moving into hair care, she spent 15 years working in Brisbane’s automotive industry, where she developed a deep understanding of finance, data analysis and business operations.

That analytical mindset has been especially important in managing Sophic’s distribution arm, which ensures salons and customers receive products reliably and on time.

“The distribution side is very logistics-heavy,” Amanda explains. “It’s about knowing what stock moves quickly, forecasting how long things will last, and ensuring we have enough inventory to maintain supply. Sometimes that’s tricky, because it takes between 6-12 months to bring a product to market, and you don’t always know which products will take off.”

Sophic’s warehouse space holds roughly $2–3 million worth of stock at any given time, with at least eight months’ supply ready to go. That buffer allows the company to maintain business continuity, even if supply chains are disrupted.

The entire fulfilment process happens locally, with salon orders picked and packed on-site.

Tressed for success

Since 2021, the Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant has supported more than 200 women-led businesses in Brisbane to create new jobs, build stronger networks, and drive business growth.

For Amanda, the grant will be used to monitor and further reduce Sophic’s carbon emissions. “We’re using the funding to bring in an external company to assess our emissions,” she says. “It’s important to us that we ensure our brand is as sustainable as possible as we keep moving forward.”

Amanda credits her daughter, Danielle, for encouraging her to apply for the Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant. “I’ve always been someone who prefers to stay in the background and not put myself out there, but applying for this grant helped me to see that we do have a great story to tell.

“If you’re thinking about applying for the next Lord Mayor’s Women in Business Grant, just do it. Don’t overthink it or doubt whether you’re good enough. Even if you don’t win, the application process itself is so valuable, because it makes you reflect on your vision and everything you’ve built so far.”

Amanda’s story is just getting started, as she prepares to expand the brand from her warehouse in Stafford to the world. “We’ve registered the product in Europe,” she says, “and the next steps will be the United Kingdom and the United States.”

As Sophic continues to grow, Amanda remains committed to her purpose. “I think people see me as ambitious, but I just focus on doing what aligns with my values,” she says. “When you do what you love, the ambition follows.”