A decade ago, armed with passion and a few humble ingredients, I embarked on a journey to create a line of natural soaps, bath salts and skincare products that made skin as well as Mother Earth happy. Little did I know that this small, homegrown venture would evolve into a labour of love that would grow and flourish beyond anything I could have imagined!
Let’s rewind the clock to a time before the thought of soap-making had even crossed my mind. Over the years I worked a few retail jobs here and there before eventually becoming a carer. It was such a rewarding role, but after some time my responsibilities shifted and I wasn’t needed on hand as much as I once was, so I thought I’d find something that I could do from home while still being close by and available if I was needed.
I had always been interested in things that were natural and good for the environment, and would always try to buy products that were free from any chemicals. Over time, the idea to create something for myself that was infused with only organic and natural ingredients took root. Why not try my hand at crafting my own soap? Armed with enthusiasm and a tiny kitchen that would soon double as my soap-making sanctuary, I delved into the world of saponification, fragrances, and natural botanicals.
On February the 11th, 2014, with the aid of a few YouTube videos and online tutorials I created my first ever soap; a plain and simple bar of olive oil soap with no added fragrance. It turned out brilliantly and I was so excited! For the first time I truly felt bitten by the soap-making bug and wanted to make more. A little while later I made a second soap, which if I remember correctly was some combination like walnut and orange or something, and I’ll be completely honest with you…it was terrible! It went all mushy and was just a disaster! But I tried to view it as a learning curve, despite the failure it gave me valuable things to work on and improve for my next soaps.
In my quest to push myself and learn more I booked myself onto a course to learn about natural soap-making. I had no idea if I would enjoy it as I’ll be honest; my second attempt at a soap had knocked my confidence a little bit! But I thought to myself; why not give it a go? Well, needless to say, I loved it! I learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. My favourite thing about it was the process of making something with your own hands that is long lasting, useful and practical. It was such a joy to learn all of the tips and tricks, the science behind the skincare, and how beneficial it is to use natural ingredients on your skin.
Well, now the ball was really rolling! Every day I’d hunker down and do more research into soap-making and filled notebooks with my scribbles, lists and notes. Over time I made a few more soaps, branching out with my combinations and getting adventurous with my ingredients. I started giving some of the things I’d made out to friends and family, and their feedback was amazing and really gave me a boost to keep creating!
Paul and my boys were a wonderful support throughout this part of my journey, encouraging me to keep going, giving feedback on whatever I’d made in my little kitchen, and even suggesting new ideas for me to try.
Soon the scents of citrus and lavender filled the house as I spent every day tinkering away in my kitchen, mixing and moulding ingredients. As I honed my craft and saw the happiness my creations brought to friends and family, a seed of possibility sprouted in my mind. Could I actually turn this passion into a viable business? Yet, self-doubt crept in; would anyone really like my work? Was I skilled enough to do this? Amidst my uncertainty, a realization dawned – I loved the art of creating so much that the fear of failure couldn’t hold me back. With a heart full of resolve I decided to dive in and see where this journey would take me.
Now it was time to think of a business plan, and a name! I sat down with Paul and my sons and we brainstormed some ideas. I wanted a name that truly encapsulated the essence of what I do – creating products that are stripped back to basics, bare of any chemicals or synthetics, just pure and natural goodness. As we tossed around ideas, one of my sons piped up with a suggestion that instantly clicked – “Bare Natural”. It was like a light bulb moment! The name perfectly captured the simplicity and honesty of my work, and it just felt right. Thus; Bare Natural was born!
Let me tell you about the magical moment when I had my first-ever customer. I went along to Llandudno’s winter fair full of nerves and anticipation. The air was crisp, the hour was early, and there I was, standing behind my humble stall armed with twelve different soaps and four kinds of bath salts. As the fair buzzed, people came by and commented on how nice my products looked and how good they smelled. That in itself gave me such a thrill! And then came that magical moment; my first customer. After perusing my products for a while, a woman picked up a soap and with a smile said “I’ll take this one, please.” My heart soared! Someone was actually buying something I had poured my heart and soul into creating. That simple act of purchasing my work filled me with a sense of joy and validation, propelling me to want to keep learning and honing this craft.
I kept tinkering and developing until my stock of soaps grew and grew, and I gained more and more confidence with each creation. After some time, my son Ryan suggested bringing Bare Natural to the digital realm. As I was juggling soap and skincare recipes in my kitchen, Ryan with his savvy marketing mind dove headfirst into crafting a website from scratch. As if that wasn’t enough, he also rolled up his sleeves and turned his creative juices to branding, conjuring up a logo and packaging designs that represented my work beautifully. I couldn’t be more grateful for his invaluable contributions to Bare Natural!
With a click of a button, our website went live, and I couldn’t contain my excitement. Armed with my phone and sheer enthusiasm, I took to social media to proudly spread the word. And lo and behold, before I could even finish my celebratory cup of tea, an order popped up on my screen! I may have done a happy dance that day. Okay, fine, I definitely did a happy dance around my living room! It was a moment of pure joy, knowing that my little soap creations had found a place in someone’s daily routine. Even more amazing was a few weeks later when I experienced my first return customer. I couldn’t quite believe it – someone liked my creations so much, they had come back to buy them again!
I got stuck into developing new products and soon I had an arsenal of not just soaps, but bath salts, facial oils, body butters and more ready to share with the world. To my absolute delight not one, but two shops agreed to stock my creations within the same month! Echo Beach in Beaumaris and Lottie and Wren in Caernarfon welcomed Bare Natural into their cosy shops, and let me tell you, seeing my products sitting on their shelves was a moment I’ll never forget. It was a surreal blend of pride and gratitude, knowing that something I felt so passionately about was now being shared with the world.
In time, more and more shops began stocking Bare Natural, my social media pages received more followers, and the website was bustling with orders. It was all go, and in all honesty – it still is! It all started in my tiny kitchen with a simple desire to create something pure and natural for myself and those close to me. From that very first little olive oil soap bar I created, I knew that using only 100% natural ingredients was non-negotiable. It’s a commitment that I’ve upheld since day one, and one that’s deeply ingrained in the very essence of Bare Natural. From sourcing plastic-free packaging to ensuring that every product is natural and gentle on both skin and the environment, I strive to make choices that reflect my values and respect the planet we call home. For me, it’s not just about creating skincare products – it’s also about making a positive impact!
As I look back on these memories on this ten year anniversary, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Seeing Bare Natural flourish and expand has been nothing short of a dream come true, and it fills me with a sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that something I’m passionate about is resonating with others. From navigating the intricacies of business regulations to grappling with my self-doubt (something that I still do to this day if I’m honest!) it’s a journey that’s had it’s fair share of challenges, but so many rewards.
To every customer who has allowed my creations become a part of their daily rituals; thank you so much for your support and loyalty, it really does mean the world to me. Here’s to another 10 years! 🌿🛁✨
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