Q&A: You Ask, I Answer!

Hello everyone! For this month’s blog I thought it would be nice to answer some of your questions about me, Bare Natural, and everything in between. Let’s dive in!

What is your favourite product to make?
My favourite thing to make without a doubt is soap! It holds a special place in my heart as it was the very first product I ever created when starting my journey into natural skincare. There’s something incredibly satisfying about the entire soap-making process – from carefully mixing the ingredients, to pouring the mixture into moulds, and later cutting it – I find the whole thing so therapeutic and I just love it!

What is a typical day like for you?
My day typically kicks off between 6am and 7am as I descend to my workshop clad in my trusty pyjamas, to inspect the previous day’s creations and dive into the day’s tasks. About 10am I make my way back upstairs for coffee and breakfast with my husband Paul, get changed out of my pyjamas (reluctantly!) then I’m off to the post office to send orders. When I get back, I go straight back down to the workshop and keep making, stirring and pouring, until lunch beckons me back upstairs about 3pm. Renewed with energy, I get myself back downstairs and crack on until 7pm rolls around, then I’m done for the day! Weekends should be for relaxing I know, but I often find myself still going down to my workshop to experiment and create – I just enjoy it so much that it never feels like work!

What was the feedback for your first products like? Do you still get feedback?
In the very early days my friends and family who sampled my first products were incredibly kind and supportive! I really appreciated when people would tell me what specific benefits my products had for them – for example making their sensitive skin feel soothed, or their dry skin feel moisturised. It was so helpful to get that feedback and really gave me things to work on and improve. I still receive feedback today and I still love it! I’ll often get private messages from people telling me how much they like my products and how much they help them. Just the other day a lovely lady emailed me to tell me how much she loves the body butters and how good they make her skin feel. The fact that people take time out of their busy days to share their thoughts and enjoyment with me really touches me. I still get excited when someone tells me they like my products, and I always will!

Are there any products of yours that you use regularly?
Everything! My soaps, scrubs, bath salts, lip balms, body butters – quite literally everything gets used! They’re scattered all over my house, and between myself, my husband Paul, and my boys, everything gets used. Before I even started Bare Natural I always made an effort to only use bathing and skincare products that were natural and kind to the planet, so it’s nice that I now have an abundance to use!

What are you most proud of achieving with Bare?
When I first started this venture, I never imagined I’d be capable of handling the more complex aspects of running a business – the finances, navigating regulations, the heaps of paperwork – you name it, I was dreading it! Delving into the world of business management overwhelmed me at first, and there were moments where I battled imposter syndrome, doubting my capabilities and wondering if I was truly cut out for this! But I knuckled down and did my best to learn as much as I could and looking back now, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. The fact that I’ve been able to overcome my self-doubt and push myself beyond my comfort zone is an achievement in itself that I’ll always be proud of!

What goals do you have for the future?
When I think about the future of Bare Natural I get so excited! I really want to continue making products that harness what nature can offer and benefit people’s skin. I also want to keep pushing myself to try new things, concoct new recipes, dream up new formulas, and eventually grow my range. I’m currently working on something new that I’m really excited about so watch this space! But at the end of the day, my main goal is to still to enjoy the art of creating, maintain balance in my life, and make sure that my family remains at the heart of everything I do.

What have you learned over the years about running a business?
If there’s one lesson I’ve tried my best to embrace over the years, it’s to do my best to keep calm and carry on! I’ve learned that not every situation calls for a sprint; sometimes, a leisurely walk with a cool head yields better results. I do still occasionally find myself making a midnight dash to my workshop at the ring of an order bell, but I’m trying to remember that not everything is an emergency! Learning to politely decline has been a game-changer too. No more overcommitting and spreading myself thin; sometimes saying no is necessary, and I’ve learned that it’s not a bad thing! It’s all about finding that balance so that I have a healthy work life that I still find joy in.

Do you have any tips for others wanting to start a business?
Firstly, and sorry if it sounds like a cliché but; do what you love! It really does make such a difference to pour your heart and soul into something that truly brings you joy, it will always reflect in your business. Another tip is to never underestimate the power of family support. Mine have been absolute superheroes, whether it’s lugging around heavy stock, accompanying me to markets and fairs, or simply providing valuable feedback, their encouragement has really kept me going at times. And finally I would say; trust your instincts. In a world where voices can sometimes drown out your inner convictions, staying true to yourself is key. If your gut says go for it, then go for it!

And that concludes the Q&A! Thank you for submitting your questions; I’ve enjoyed answering them. Remember, if you ever have more questions or need information, I’m always here to help! 😊