How a female founded small business took COVID-19 induced lockdowns head on and made its mark doing so.

Lockdown Launch

June 5, 2021

Products in the original MadeByMars product line.
The brand shares a moniker with founder Amarah ‘Mars’ Radford.

Mars making Nourishing Body Butter, an all time best seller in the MadeByMars product line.
A graduate of the Southern School of Medicine in Melbourne, Mars is the creator of all product recipes for MadeByMars.

Mars launched MadeByMars in 2020 during Melbourne’s OCVID-19 induced lockdowns and makes all the products herself from her kitchen, using separate utensils and stringent sanitation protocols.

Ingredients used in the MadeByMars products during the production process.

MadeByMars Skin Lovin’ Serum product shoot for online content. Mars is the sole employee of her business so she takes care of all facets of the business from product ideas and creation to marketing, wholesale and customer service.

Mars at her desk doing administration for MadeByMars. Mars runs all aspects of the business from her 70s style Bungalow in the Dandenong Ranges, about 40km from Melbourne.

Labelling for various products in the MadeByMars line. Teaming up with long time friend and collaborator, graphic designer Noris Ariza to create labels for the brand gave Mars creative freedom over the brand’s aesthetic.

Mars making content for the MadeByMars social media pages.
“I’m so glad I invested in Instagram when I was young because it’s helped me so much with this business venture years later.”

Mars sets an intention on an amethyst to be embedded into a Dream Balm before packing to ship.
“Whenever I use the crystals I always like to set an intention first. For the dream balm I want to bring relaxation, calm and a sense of peace to the user.”

Mars packing an order.
MadeByMars exclusively uses sustainable packaging materials .


The MadeByMars stall at Body Fit Training in Boronia for their monthly Super Saturday event.

Since the end of Melbourne’s COVID-19 induced lockdowns Mars has been able expand the brand from its online infancy, taking products to markets and events.

All photos credited to Olivia Sanders