Ever wondered whose modelesque hand is holding those stunning items in our product images? For the 5 of you who just said yes - hello! I'm Issy Koh, the founder, dreamer and chief bubble-tea-sipper behind Rocks and Soul.
If you’ve ever shopped with us, you’ve experienced a little piece of my vision, dedication and slightly obsessive (but always enthusiastic) pursuit of the most beautiful, high-quality products. But how did it all begin? That part of our story isn’t quite as clear to see.
So, let’s pull back the curtain. Here’s the story of Rocks and Soul – so far.
Every business starts with a bribe.
I’ve been obsessed with nature, animals and crystals for as long as I can remember. So, as a kid, my parents quickly discovered the best way to keep me in line – bribery. But not with chocolate or toys. Nope, my currency of choice was crystals from the National Geographic store. Good behaviour meant another sparkly treasure for my collection, and let’s just say, I was exceptionally well-behaved. Most of the time.
Fast-forward to university, and my love for the earth only grew stronger. A bunch of earth science classes later – plus a few incredible overseas trips where I saw the world’s natural beauty firsthand – and my passion turned into something bigger. Some say obsession, I say devotion. Regardless, that’s when I committed to building my very own crystal collection.
The only problem? A student budget doesn’t exactly accommodate retail-priced crystals. So, I got resourceful and figured out how to source wholesale crystals for my own collection and for some excellent gifts to friends and family. It was an instant hit. Word spread fast, and suddenly, I wasn’t just collecting crystals – I was selling them.
And just like that, Rocks and Soul was born.
Turns out, you can have too many rocks…
Like all great ventures, Rocks and Soul started small – specifically, in the corner of my parents’ living room. Our platform? Facebook Marketplace. Our logo? Designed on an iPad in 5 minutes.
Wholesale orders would arrive at their house, the very first of which being just shy of $200 AUD, and I’d unbox, package and store everything away in whatever tiny space I could claim. Mum and Dad didn’t mind – much. But as demand grew, so did the chaos. Soon, crystals were everywhere.
Enter: The Great Garage Expansion. We moved Rocks and Soul to the garage, storing treasures like amazonite somewhere between the garden hose and some old paint cans. I stacked order upon order in what could only be described as an extreme sport, defying all laws of both physics and gravity along the way. And yet, it didn’t take long for the business to outgrow that space, either.
When I finally moved into my own home, Rocks and Soul got its own garage. But, guess what? We grew again, so it also got its own portable room.
Today, we’re settled in our very own factory and shop front in Cheltenham, with plenty of room for all our treasures to truly shine – and for customers to browse, hand-pick their favourite crystals and experience the magic in person.
If you’re ever in the area, come take a look at our finally-forever home – I’d love to show you around!
Accidentally starting a crystal-loving cult
Rocks and Soul didn’t just grow as a business – it grew into a full-blown community.
It all started with a simple Facebook page, where I’d go live to showcase new stock and chat with whoever happened to tune in. In the early days, it was a small, intimate group, and I loved getting to know everyone personally. But even as the audience grew, that spark of connection never faded.
Now, twice a week, I go live and watch a group of incredible people – who might never have met otherwise – come together over a shared love of crystals. We celebrate wins, share struggles and swap stories like old friends. I know about their hobbies, dreams and favourite crystals, and they know about mine.
It’s become more than just selling – it’s a space filled with support, laughter and just the right amount of witchy cult energy. And honestly? That’s my favourite part of this whole journey.
Pretty products, even prettier ethics
At Rocks and Soul, the way we operate is deeply shaped by my own experiences and values.
Caring for the environment means reducing waste wherever we can, which is why we pack orders in recycled materials. It may not be glamorous to some, but Mother Nature would disagree.
Ethical sourcing is just as important to us – we primarily work with mines that educate employees, ensure fair pay and restore the land after mining.
Wildlife conservation has also always been close to my heart, so we proudly support charities protecting endangered species, like the Australian Conservation Foundation, The Rescue Collective and Animalia.
But perhaps the most personal cause is breast cancer awareness. After my own journey with breast cancer, I know firsthand how vital support from organisations like Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) can be. I’m sure you’ve seen their infamous pink lady logo before! Their resources, community and guidance made an incredible difference for me, and I understand just how much they need support in return. That’s why BCNA is a regular feature in Rocks and Soul campaigns, and we’ll always find ways to give back – like with our annual live featuring a pretty, all-pink table spread (keep an eye out for the next one)!
There’s always room in the Rocks and Soul heart for more – so if you’re a charity or not-for-profit looking to collaborate, we’d love to hear from you!
Now that you know who we are, it’s time to meet another rockstar (literally). From ethically-conscious and affordable crystals to hand-picked fossils, every piece in our collection has a story to tell. Come find one that speaks to you!