A simple idea that evolved into a cultural phenomenon. What started as an interim way to occupy The Charlatan’s front man Tim Burgess for a period of three weeks at the onset of the pandemic has become a shining light in what was one of the most tumultuous and unpredictable periods of our lives.
Tim has united music fans through lockdown thanks to his tireless and herculean crusade to promote his musical peers and use the power of social media for good. His Twitter Listening Parties have not only received critical acclaim, but have also provided a much-needed boost to both his fellow musicians and fans alike.
The charismatic singer had the fantastic idea for fans to play a certain album, all starting at the same time, with the artist or significant people behind the album offering commentary and answering questions on Twitter. At a time when people were living in isolation, it was a force for good in social media which sometimes can be a hostile and negative place “I felt like it was something that was really important and that kept me going” he revealed.
Positively received, the listening parties grew and grew and soon listening parties were being organised from the likes of Blur, Oasis, New Order to Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue.
Last night was the 1000th Twitter Listening Party and it was the turn of Chris Stein and Debbie Harry from the iconic band Blondie to take to the (Twitter) floor and tweet along to their 1978 album ‘Parallel Lines’.
Prior to that, Tim was joined by an illustrious panel which included Helen O’Hara, Nitin Sawhney, Tim Pope, and chair Pete Paphides. Tim recalled the moment that Paul McCartney accepted his response to take part in a listening party “Six weeks later!” in the form of a simple ‘thumbs up’ emoji as one of his highlights. He also commented on how the listening parties has made appreciate and listen to music in a different way naming Spandau Ballet as an example of this.
Blondie’s Chris Stein also joined the panel via Zoom answering questions like ‘What was the best ever gig you played?’ Hyde Park, Glastonbury and Glasgow were named highlights alongside Susannah Hoffs (The Bangles) and Matt Johnson (The The) who also regaled the audience with endearing and funny ancedotes.
When asked what music has had the most impact on him, Tim revealed to the audience that it was The Buzzcocks album ‘Love Bites’ and how he likened them to the Beatles to his dad who swiftly disagreed with Tim’s appraisal which was a lovely insight into a teenage Tim.
1000 listening parties is a phenomenal achievement, but who is on Tim’s wish list now? “Kate Bush or Peter Gabriel would be amazing”
Tim Pope, Helen, Nitin and Charlatans guitarist Mark joined Tim on stage for an exclusive singalong which included some of his most-loved hits and a rousing edition of ‘Come On Eileen’.
What Tim Burgess has done is nothing short of amazing – bringing eternal sunshine to music lovers and enabling both musicians and music fans alike to reexamine and fall in love with both seminal albums and lesser-known gems in real-time.
The Charlatans’ boxset A Head Full Of Ideas and the Twitter Listening Party book are both out now. Head over to https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/ where you can replay every single listening party in real time.
Wellness is a word that has well, become something we say nearly every day. The demand for products that enhance our wellbeing is increasing and is re-vamping what we look for within beauty.
If you’re looking for luxurious, effective, and mindful products, then let us introduce you to Nubyén. A brand that focuses on clean cosmetics and activewear. Making women look and feel good
Made in England using only clean, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients, Nubyén manages to keep science at the core. Nubyén is created by Dr. Lola and a team of practicing Medical Drs alongside Clinical scientists and co-founding Veterinary Scientist, Hanna.
After a trip to Ubud, Bali with her husband, the importance of wellness was something Dr. Lola Rachel realised. That was when Nubyén was created. Since then, Nubyén has become a coveted brand with many cult products. A loyal following means the brand is currently available on FeelUnique, Revolve, Beauty Bay and launched with Net-a-Porter earlier this week.
Ever expanding, with now over 20 beauty products and an activewear range, Nubyen is set to reach new heights. #TeamCoco was lucky enough to have the chance to ask Dr. Lola a few questions about her routine and thoughts on wellness.
The pressure to look perfect is ever-increasing and ‘normal’ is less sought after. At what point did you realise you wanted to offer less invasive options?
That’s a very good question. I feel that we are under pressure consistently. We place our identity in our image. This is normal, however, this can breed insecurities especially with external pressures. I believe that we all have things that make us truly beautiful. Sometimes the things that we loathe another loves. I, therefore, love the notion of us celebrating the features that we have and accentuating them.
As a Dr. have you noticed an increasing interest in wellbeing?
At Nubyén we truly believe in the 360 approach to beauty that beauty, active and wellness go hand in hand. People are becoming highly educated in the products and ingredients that they use and consume. Another area I see is biohacking space where people try to optimise their performance. This can be done via eating habits, learning about hormones, gut health, using clean products and exercise.
The products on Nubyén act as alternatives to cosmetic procedures. At what point would you recommend a procedure?
Nubyén hopes to empower you. Whether you opt for surgical procedures or not. We do not judge and believe that everyone has freedom of choice. Our products also enable people to try without the full commitment of an invasive procedure. We also love that our products are reversible too!
What is your favourite product?
Personally, I love Nubyén Nude, Nubyén Lip Filler, Beautox & Elevated Mood Oil. (I couldn’t help but squeeze in four of my faves)
What is your current beauty routine?
I try to invest some time into my beauty routine, so try to set intentions for my day. First, I cleanse, with Nubyen Allantoin cleanser, then follow with a toner. Before moisturising with Nubyén Validate CBD Supercharged Glow facial moisturiser, which I add a drop of Nubyen elevated mood oil. Lastly, I do my brows but I have noticed I do not feel complete without a lip plumper; I love the feeling of the tingling.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Washed Ashore…
Washed Ashore was conceived from my love for Mother Nature and a way for me to express my creativity which has always been inspired by her designs. Jewelry has always held a very special place in my heart. My background is in archaeology and art history, and from my studies, these precious objects have always been revered as sacred objects. To me, jewelry holds sentimental values, making them every day magic. It had always been a dream of mine to make sure that we are creating beautiful jewelry without harming the people and the environment in the making. We were able to achieve that in May 2019, as we relaunched as an all-sustainable jewelry line that we are today.
What’s been the biggest challenge in business that you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge as a small business and setting out to always do what is right, both by the people and the environment, is there is no rule book or guidelines of how to operate. Challenges can be found from day-to-day operations, to finding sustainable alternatives to the traditional way of manufacturing and packaging jewelry. To overcome these issues, we take all options into account and see what makes the most sense, from all aspects, sustainability, financially, and morally.
Washed Ashore
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Compassion, Karma, Sustainability
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of jewelry design?
I would say that it is important to always stay true to who you are in regard to design and the creative process. For me, to achieve the best work, I have to be comfortable with my style and process and just go with whatever flows out. As much as you would like your design to speak to a lot of people, I learned that you can’t sacrifice and compromise your identity to try to please others.
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
We are a small team of women, so we all wear different hats when it comes to our day-to-day business. We start out the week with a team call to get the whole team on the same page, and to divide and conquer. Our CEO spearheads and handles all aspects of the company. An average business day for me consists of a balance between design and copywriting work, along with assisting my team with anything they may need.
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
I am very blessed to be surrounded by very supportive people, both in personal life and at work. When I am feeling down, I am reminded of what is truly important. Once you get centered, nothing else really matters. Self-care and meditation are always a good idea to keep the positive vibe going as well.
Washed Ashore
Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit” – Banksy
How much has social media played a role in the success of your jewelry brand?
Social media plays a big role in the growth of Washed Ashore. It is an amazing way to reach and connect with our customers directly. We share the brand’s ethos, philosophy, and beliefs through social media, in the hope that the impact we would like to have in the world can be exposed to our customers. The success comes from the engagement that we have built and created a community of like-minded people who would like to see and be an active player in making the change we would like to see in the world. Our jewelry represents much more than a monetary object.
How do you want people to feel when they first see your designs?
I hope that the designs provide people an experience of nature, subtle, yet powerful at the same time. The designs are not merely just for aesthetics, but intentionally done in the hope of expressing mother nature’s beauty, inspiring people to fall in love with her, igniting the need to protect her.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and do you have a favourite Washed Ashore piece that you would take away with you?
I am a tropical babe at heart, and love to spend time in nature. I have never been to Tahiti and have a good friend who is from there so that is number one on my bucket list. I would take with me the Tarita choker, bracelet, and anklet since they were named after the famous Tahitian actress Tarita Teriipaia.
What’s next for you and your brand?
We are getting ready for the holiday season, we are excited to launch the new holiday pieces so please stay tuned! At Washed Ashore, we are also always striving for higher levels of sustainability so we are working on various certifications. So hopefully we will have some exciting news to share soon.
Where can people find out more about Washed Ashore?
A journey that led to the launching of The Clarity Circle
A problem for a lot of people, as highlighted by Stacey Dudley of The Clarity Circle, is not acknowledging and recognising when they are repeating patterns of behaviour that are detrimental to their physical and emotional well-being. Several years ago, I was one of these people. After yet another challenging relationship, I found myself alone and a single parent to four boys. I was at a crossroads in life – something had to change.
I had always believed that what you think, you create. So, after seeking counselling for my marriage breakdown, I started to look at how I could move my life forward. I turned to self-help books and came across The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It was my first real insight into The Law of Attraction.
I dived deep into this amazing world of aligning with the Universe. After seeing the impact it made on my life, I wanted to share this way of living. I have always had a strong passion for business, huge empathy and a desire to help others, despite how negative I ever felt.
Once I began to see the results I was achieving, I pushed myself further, studying and working hard to develop my skills. I began facilitating Wellbeing, Vision Board and Money Mindset workshops. I gained qualifications in Life Coaching, Mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Quantum Holographic Echo Healing and many more. I started to help other separated women adopt a problem-solving attitude. Giving women the confidence to believe in themselves and the knowledge that just because your life had changed from separation, it didn’t mean you had to downgrade. Levelling was the only option for me.
I worked with a coach to gain more experience and focus on how I wanted to help women. From there, The Clarity Circle began. Now The Clarity Circle has evolved to assist passionate female solopreneurs create soul-aligned success within their lives and business.
Why is it important to have a coach?
Every single one of us holds a passion that is deep within. Discovering what is holding you back and overcoming these obstacles will allow you to truly shine your light. Having a Life Coach can help you see a different perspective on situations. It can help you gain clarity and control. It will unleash your potential and input strategies along the way that you can use for the rest of your life.
What’s been the biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?
People think that if you’re a Life Coach then you have everything figured out, but that isn’t necessarily true. I still spend time working with my coach and go out there to learn new techniques and practices. It benefits my clients, but it also helps to keep me focused and develop as an individual. Are there days when I could just stay in bed with the duvet over my head? Of course! But the key is becoming resilient, recognising your triggers and knowing the tools and techniques which work for you to help get you back on track.
Business mantra in three words
That is a really hard question… my business mantra is so much more than three words, but for this purpose, we can go with – Creating Vibrant Clarity.
The opportunity for people to get into coaching
The Clarity Circle recently became an accredited Executive Training Provider by The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and an Approved Training provider for The International Association of Therapists, meaning we uphold the knowledge and code of ethics to further educate students.
I have worked so hard to be able to offer this to my audience and I am super excited about getting started. I have so much interest from people already, it’s amazing!
Registration will be opening over the next few months for training to be a coach. I have just opened up a register of interest so people can let me know if it is something that they would like to participate in. There have been quite a few sign ups already, so I strongly recommend signing up as there will be limited spaces available for this first cohort. To register your interest, you can sign up via the Clarity Circle website www.theclaritycircle.co.uk.
This is just the beginning. The Clarity Circle Academy will be the place to secure many qualifications in the future, not just the Coach Certification, so keep your eyes peeled!
An average business day in my life would look like…
I wake up about 6am, meditate, journal my visions for the day and then grab a cup of coffee. Getting my four gorgeous boys ready for school is like a military operation and we set off around 8:15 am. My PT sessions are at 9 am. I adore them, they help get me focused and motivated for the day ahead. Then I head into the office with my high-vibe music blaring out.
The rest of the day can consist of working with 1:1 Clients, going Live in the Clarity Circle Facebook Group or talking as a guest expert on other platforms. I have catch-up meetings with my gorgeous Clarity Circle team to discuss courses, social media, branding and content.
At 3 pm it is time for the school run and between the hours of 4-7 pm it is strictly family time! Then I will usually head back into the office if I’m delivering any training or continue to write my book.
Business can be an upward struggle at times
I remind myself that everything happens for a reason. There are things thrown at us in life to challenge us. Without these times, we wouldn’t be who we are or where we are today. Every time I come across an obstacle, I take a deep breath, ground myself then ask, “How can I overcome this?” I adopt a problem-solving attitude and discover whatever it is I need to learn from this particular situation. Then I come back stronger than ever!
Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?
Ask any of my clients or group members and they will shout “I HAVE A DREAM!” – waving their hands in the air!
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media has been essential for the success that The Clarity Circle has achieved so far. It has allowed me to connect with THE MOST amazing ladies. I have built a group of supportive, like-minded people who are ready to up level their lives and businesses. Social media allows us to share and teach valuable and motivational content. It ensures that people are getting the support and advice that they need to be able to create a life that they truly desire, from any location in the world.
How do you want people to feel when they first come to see you?
I welcome The Clarity Circle clients and potential clients with warmth and empathy. I want them to know I hold space for them whilst we implement tools and techniques to uplevel their lives and that they can trust my accredited knowledge and skills. This in turn will make them feel safe and relaxed but energised and motivated to truly shine their light.
What’s next for you and your brand?
The next thing for The Clarity Circle is delivering our first-ever UK Retreat. Plans for next year’s global retreats are already underway. We are currently interviewing for trained professionals to widen the expertise and knowledge for further developing future certification programmes. Our main focus is upscaling our brand awareness and continuing to make an impact on people’s lives around the world. Our purpose is to create change and a tidal wave of clarity.
Where can people find out more about The Clarity Circle?
In this inspiring guest post, Girl Boss Maxine Wells gives House of Coco the lowdown on how she started her business, Intimate Apparel Samples, became London’s resident lingerie lady.
“Turning creative visions into a reality makes my day job a dream! I am Maxine Wells proud Founder of Intimate Apparel Samples.
My business offers a unique design and development service supporting Intimate Apparel and Swimwear businesses.
I love my job, whether working with start-ups or established brands I enjoy the entire process of supporting my clients along their creative journey to produce high quality collections”
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start your business?
I am the youngest of four sisters and was very quiet & introspective as a child. This meant I had a vivid imagination & wild creativity. I enjoyed losing myself in a daydream about what I could create or who I could become. My daydreaming was a cause of concern at school, with teachers often noting the negative effects it had on my schoolwork, however it has since become one of my superpowers
My ability to form a crystal clear vision of my dream life & mission propels me in their direction, with complete belief that they will manifest externally regardless of my circumstances.
I started my business, because I wanted to add value to the world and I felt I could make a positive impact by creating jobs with a company culture that uplifts and supports those around us.
Our factory & coaching programs also nurture start-ups and independent brands which furthers my mission in supporting people living their dreams & life purpose.
What have been the biggest milestones so far?
There are so many, but moving into our Wembley Park studio in 2018, investing in high tech industrial machinery and hiring full time permanent staff, was a big turning point in the business.
It took a big mindset shift to make those commitments. I was no longer hiding behind ‘busy-ness’ and instead took scary financial risks which has since paid off!
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the way to becoming the lingerie lady of London?
Balancing motherhood and business has certainly had its difficult moments, although it is much easier now he’s eight years old.
I suffered the dreaded mum guilt to a severe level when he was younger. I felt there was something fundamentally wrong with me for still having the desire to continue growing my business and wanting to work.
I gave up my first studio when he was a baby and scaled back the business, so I could be a ‘proper mum’. I tried to convince myself I could be fulfilled without working towards my big ambitious dreams, but there came a breaking point where I could no longer lie to myself. I am who I am, and once I embraced that and started pursuing my goals again, both mum and son become much happier.
What advice do you have for women who would like to become GirlBosses like yourself?
Start small and minimise your risks. Business is a marathon not a sprint, so take small but continuous steps in the direction of your wildest dreams and do everything you can to enjoy the journey otherwise you risk quitting before seeing the results.
Bootstrap at the beginning until you understand your business and industry well, but depending on the business there may come a time when you need to take a calculated risk and invest in the business’ growth. Working harder doesn’t always equate to higher rewards but taking well-thought out risks can.
When the business is going through tough times, remind yourself that if business was easy everyone would be doing it. I have always found this helps me. Also, when things feel hard or messy, it doesn’t mean you are not cut out for this, it simply means you are challenging yourself and you should congratulate rather than be hard on yourself, because you are freaking awesome for pushing outside of your comfort zone.
Ibukunoluwa Oyerinde is the brainchild behind Lola Tara and a fierce designer who has fashion in her DNA. Her story is that of strength, inspiration and one that will encourage you to always rise and conquer.
We spent some time with her to find out more about her brand, plans for the future and so much more…
Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Lola Tara…
From when I was young with my mother’s patterns books, through my years modelling and after my university studies, fashion has always taken up a large place in my heart. I always knew this is what I wanted to do. After studying Business Marketing, I thought that I had enough of a 360 view of the business to embark on my life dream. It has been a challenging journey but extremely fulfilling.
You’re well traveled and Africa is your mama, where do you feel most at home?
I feel at most at home with my dog, a good meal and good music. I am not attached to an- ywhere physically or geographically.
Since launching the brand, are there any decisions you have made that you later went on to regret?
I don’t really believe in the concept of regret, everything happens in order to learn a lesson in order to be better version of myself. I never lose, I only learn and then win.
How do you want people to feel when wearing your designs?
Empowered, Gorgeous, Comfortable.
If you to describe your brand in three words, what would they be?
Versatile, Stylish, Fun
What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch a fashion label?
It is not an easy road but if it is something you really love, then go after your dreams. It is better to try and not succeed in the traditional sense, then it is to regret never trying.
How would you describe your personal style?
Timeless.
Talk us through an average day in your life…
Pray, meditate, stretch, walk my dog and answer emails. Work changes day by day, which includes factory visits, fabric sourcing, meetings with various people, etc. I can tend work late especially when I get into a creative groove. I love food so I enjoy going out for dinner or cooking at home. Pray, meditate, read and sleep.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Not as much as I would thought. It has served the purpose of creating an image for the brand and giving it a bit of validation but ultimately it has been word of mouth and referrals that have played a major role. Also, joining platforms like Wolf and Badger has really given us a boost.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
Bhutan, Osaka, Lima
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
Closed mouths don’t get fed. Ask for help when you need it.
What’s next for you and the brand?
Expanding distribution and producing the next collection, which I am very excited about.
What does self care mean to you?
Taking the time to ensure your peace of mind. Removing anyone or anything that stands in the way of that.
Where can people find out more?
Our Instagram @lolataraofficial and our website www.lolatara.com
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand EDOBIO…
At the beginning of my journey, I started software and robotics development in the IT industry. Later, I entered the bio industry in hopes to merge IT and bio, and thus started our research on lactic bacterial acid. While efficiency and productivity is of utmost importance in IT development, I felt that it was important to pursue functionality instead.
Culturing lactic bacterial acid uses a fermentation method from ancient Japan as its foundation. People even bathed themselves in rice bran during the Edo period. Using rice bran as part of a beauty method was the key in founding EDOBIO. Fermentation methods, like ones that have been around since ancient Japan, are being used in today’s bio industry, such as food, enzymes, and antibiotics. EDOBIO is a skincare brand that hopes to advocate Japanese wellness, with its foundation in fermentation methods, incorporated with the latest biotechnology to the rest of the world.
Japanese skincare is all the rage at the moment, why do you think this is the case?
I think it’s because the fundamentals of sustainability and minimalism that were cultivated by Japanese people during the Edo period also affects the skincare industry, and I believe that this meets the potential needs of modern people around the world.
As well as skincare products Edobio make tea, why did you decide to include tea alongside skincare?
EDOBIO advocates for being “Biotiful Inside Out.” The phrase “Beautiful Inside Out” is widely understood as being beautiful with your looks as well as your heart or inner body. By adjusting it to “Biotiful Inside Out,” we advocate for the use of biotechnology (Bio) to “create new things that are useful to the world,” which will draw out the natural beauty in your skin, becoming beautiful inside out in a natural way.
It is believed that the teas that have been widely enjoyed since ancient times in Japan also have beauty essentials, which help maintain the beauty of our skin from the inside.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
Bio industry requires time, research funding, and facility investment. A business model that requires a large amount of R&D [Research & Development] investment upfront will directly affect the company’s overall cash flow, if it does not produce results. In order to maintain funding, it’s important for banks and investors to understand the company’s work and potential growth. By conducting collaborative research with universities and research organisations, and collaborating with specialists, we are able to use research facilities and utilise public funding. As a group company as a whole, we are entering into new businesses through M&As [Mergers & Acquisitions), diversifying their businesses, and expanding the businesses of all group companies.
EDOBIO
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
I make sure to follow the next 3 points daily:
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” No matter the hurdles you come across, through bold decisions and unwavering determination, you will find a way.
“Take the lead” No matter the task, be accountable for it and own it. Over time, this will grow and develop initiatives, while giving it your all. When you are too receptive, you won’t be satisfied with your work, which impacts you but also the people around you.
“Work in modesty” If you are not getting the results you want, it’s not any person or any environment’s fault but your own. You need to maintain this modesty when you work.
I keep these three points close to my heart as I tackle the day.
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of skincare?
When you’re entering a new industry, I would advise you to seek an external advisor or build a partnership, rather than stepping into this new world alone.
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
The most important thing is to have a clear work-life balance. I believe fundamentals are important, so I stick to a routine by starting my day at 8:30 and leaving the office at 17:30 sharp.
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
I go to the sea and spend a day on my boat on my days off. I also cook everyday.
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
I tell myself, “No mountain is insurmountable,” and tackle my next task.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media enables us to target an audience, spread brand recognition, and connect with people all over the world, no matter where you are. Also considering the pandemic, social media has become the biggest tool to share product information for EDOBIO.
The biggest benefit of social media and influencer marketing within the beauty industry is you have the ability to shape the brand’s image and narrative and share them.
When a brand utilises social media and able to connect with their audience, that brand can share use-case scenarios or information, lead sales, and increase revenue. EDOBIO is constantly collaborating with the world’s top influencers through social media. We are strengthening EDOBIO’s beauty identity by utilising media and through important relationships and sponsor systems.
How do you want people to feel when they first try one of the EDOBIO skincare products?
We are committed to essential beauty, starting from the packaging to the quality of our products. I hope people can feel the professionalism as well as a sense of comfort that our products bring.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list and which of your products would you take on your travels?
Switzerland is on my bucket list, and my favorite product is Moisturizing Souffle Soap (10g). It’s the perfect size for when you’re traveling.
What’s next for you and your brand?
As the president of the company, I hope to continue M&A [Mergers & Aquisitions] while entering new fields. I want to expand our academic-industrial collaborations and develop relationships with new universities and research facilities. As for the brand, I want to continue to steadily expand while creating one-of-a-kind products. We’re hoping to increase our SKU’s next year, as well as strengthening the shipping and export system to other countries. I hope more people will get the opportunity to enjoy EDOBIO.
Where can people find out more about EDOBIO?
Since launching in 2018, EDOBIO has established a global brand presence. The products are beloved by both male and female customers and available internationally. Currently customers can find Edobio in shops in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States or the products can be purchased online at edobio.com and shipped worldwide.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Sweet Tree by Browns…
The idea came about just over 10 years ago when my daughter Charlee was getting married. In typical bride-to-be fashion she wanted her centrepieces to stand out from anything that had been seen before. And so, it began… hours of doodling ideas, often late into the evening, trying to come up with the perfect table creation. Having been trained as a pastry chef in my father’s kitchens, I used my skills to create ideas using chocolate. Eventually, with no time to spare, I came up with the idea of trees made from our family and friends’ favourite chocolates and sweets. At last, something deliciously different which was a huge success at the wedding!
People enjoyed the Sweet Trees so much I began to think, wouldn’t it be great if we could share them with more people? That’s where the business began. It took years of frustration and occasional tears to finally make them look and taste as yummy as they are today. When we first started, we used polystyrene balls in the centre of the tree. However, we have now moved onto a chocolate crispy core so practically all of the tree (except for the wooden stem and glass vase) is edible!
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge that I have faced during the last 10 years is falling ill and being diagnosed with a neurological condition called Myelitis. When I first fell ill, I became partially paralysed and was unable to walk or even talk properly. However, with the support of my family and people close to me, as well as my own strength (and stubbornness!), I persevered to get stronger each day and not let my disabilities hold me back. After years of undergoing different treatments and physio, I am now able to walk (albeit for short distances), talk, and run a team of up to 20 people.
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Family (my business started as a family business; my team today are my family).
Perseverance (we have got to where we are today through hard work, determination, and perseverance)
Crazy (You must be a bit nuts to work with my mad lot)
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of artisan chocolate production?
Keep up-to-date with trends but try to keep your ideas original, make sure your products have a point of difference. There are so many beautiful companies and products out there, you need to make sure you stand out to succeed.
Sweet Tree by Browns
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
We are a small business working from my family home. In small businesses you tend to do a bit of everything- even as the boss. My business day starts with me walking down the stairs from my bedroom into the office (the room which was once my living room!) This is where I do all the boring things that I like the least – cash flow, finances etc.
As the business has grown over the years, it has managed to spread across every room in the house (apart from my bedroom). My dining room is now a chocolate room -floor to ceiling with racks of molded chocolate smash cakes, plaques etc. My kitchen is our main production area. Here is where the team work together to get the orders made, packed, and sent out. This is the place I like to be the most. I like being in the thick of it. My job in production is personalising our Sweet Trees and writing chocolate messages on our chocolate gifts.
Every day is different, but no day at Sweet Trees is boring!
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
The most important thing for me is being able to laugh. My family and my team are what keep my going and keep me laughing!
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
Shit Happens… only joking!
My house is covered in hundreds of quotes I couldn’t pick one.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
More so now than ever before. We’ve recently jumped on the TikTok hype, we’re amazed at the impact it’s had already. Our Instagram is really coming into its own and growing it’s following every day.
How do you want people to feel when they first try some of your chocolate gifts?
We want them to think: “Mmmmm this is really nice”.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and have you ever been anywhere that produces the cocoa bean?
I would love to go San Francisco.
Many years ago, I went to Kenya.
What’s next for you and your brand?
Moving premises. When I say we have outgrown my family home, that is an understatement. We currently have four sheds in our garden which are used for storing packaging and hundreds of kilos of Belgian chocolate.
We want and need to move to a unit so that we can expand our team, take on more retailers, and grow the business. However, finding the right place hasn’t been an easy feat. Hopefully 2022 will be our year!
We interviewed Nino Oniani and Irina Keidia via zoom recently for our Women Worldwide series. These female entrepreneurs have shown us that passion, determination, and knowledge can lead to a dream vocation in life. Read on to find out more about Zeg Skincare and what goes into running the business.
Tell us about the journey that led you both to launch your brand Zeg Skincare…
I have always been committed to giving best care to my skin. I was researching the most powerful formulas available on the market, however the more I researched the more I understood potential harm of some of the ingredients in those formulas. For the past few years I opted for the best botanical products available on the market, however I soon realised they didn’t meet my expectations in terms of delivering results, no matter how expensive the botanical brand was. That was when I decided to look around and research properly how could botanicals really work when you add proper scientific knowledge to it.
I was lucky to know some of worlds’ best scientists in the field who created custom made formulas for my skin. The result was tremendous. This period coincides with my true passion with entrepreneurship and the credit goes to Imperial College Business School where I had just graduated from my MBA and met some incredibly successful entrepreneurs who had started up just a few years before, and had successfully grown their companies. They not only inspired me, but they actually taught me. I decided to dedicate my career to entrepreneurship, and I had two conditions for it, one was, the business I would start should be scalable and another was it should definitely be my passion. Skincare and Beauty ticked all those boxes, in addition I had access to the yet undiscovered Georgian nature, a country that is nestled between Europe and Asia, which has tremendously diverse climate zones and a wide variety of potent medicinal botanicals. I then approached longtime friend Irina, who shared my passion about skincare, she is also one of the leading marketing specialists in Georgia. We both had individual expertise which would work perfectly together to deliver the best possible product. We set to create an independent beauty company, with clean, potent ingredients that deliver results.
Our strategy is accessibility; and we want all our products to be affordable to as many people as possible. – Nino Oniani
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
The Pandemic has been our biggest challenge so far, especially with product development which slowed the process down. Uncertainty is probably one of our biggest issues as well. – Irina Keidia
If you to were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Results-Driven Forward-Looking Honest
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the skincare business?
Be persistent, be patient, and be hard working, but most of all have a deep passion for what you’re doing. Science knowledge is probably one of the biggest assets if you want to deliver a good product. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
Almost every day starts following up our ongoing tests, trials and research. Because we are in the active NPD phase this is an essential part of our business. I think it is a very exciting time right now to be in this business; science advances, including opportunities given by BioTech gives us lots of possibilities to move forward.
This process is followed up by meeting with our scientists most days who are based in the UK near London. These meetings are probably the most important ones for us at the moment as this is where we have the chance to deliver some truly great products, by tweaking, testing, and altering even slightly you can get something completely new.
Recap on sales and marketing activity is also part of our daily activity. We decided to go down the route of having our own state of the art online store, to us this means daily review of the sales channel. While Irina might be doing that, some days I might be engaged with the investor zoom meetings. – Nino Oniani
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
This whole journey is rather difficult, I will not sugarcoat this for you. Problem solving on a daily basis is part of the process. The value chain in our business involves many stakeholders, meaning there are many things that can go wrong. Staying positive is probably not part of our strategy, I would say that actually solving problems is. Being an early bird probably helps us both! – Irina Keidia
What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?
To be honest situations vary and so do our motivational approaches. What helps most is encouragement from one another. But if there are any quotes we can think of, then these two are probably the ones that make us think big to not lose motivation. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia
“If you can’t do it with feeling, don’t.”
by Patsy Cline
“For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.”
by Dhirubhai Ambani
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Nowadays social media is a key consumer marketing tool, it allows us to connect and engage with potential customers, easily reach them, share directly updated information about products and their benefits, and allows us immediate interaction and customer feedback. It is quite Important to make engaging content to get attention. Our target customers are professional skintelligent women who have money to spend and want to keep their skin looking good. They are self confident, passionate about skincare and a healthy lifestyle, they have ‘Digital First’ attitude, with social media a primary source of brand reviews and product information.– Irina Keidia
How do you want people to feel when they first see and try your products?
We want people to feel empowered when they use our products. We want to emphasis their natural beauty. We don’t want our users to live up to a standard of none existent beauty. We can promise to help make better versions of themselves with long term health in mind. – Irina Keidia
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your products would you take traveling with you?
There are a few favourite destinations, they include Italy and Montenegro, but desirable locations would probably be Jamaica or Mexico. We would always take our Oxygen Serum and Eye Patches with us wherever we visit in the world. But we would also like intrepid travellers to come and visit our very own Georgia to see the beautiful mountains and the nature that surrounds us. – Irina Keidia
What’s next for you and your brand?
We are going in to a speciality and SPA product market, keep your eyes peeled as you might see ZEG Spa in a number of places around the world soon. – Nino Oniani
Where can people find out more about Zeg Skincare?
Here at House of Coco we love seeing couples living life on their terms, working together on their dreams and creating a legacy and that is exactly what Ali and Zoe are doing, founders of the Wild Science Lab. Wild Science Lab is committed to producing high performance, botanical, sustainable product solutions that ensure exceptional performance while maintaining a continued promise of environmental responsibility. A brand that has innovation at its core.
The duo are not only #CoupleGoals but their combined experience makes them a force to be reckoned with. We spent some time with them to find out more…
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Wild Science Lab…
The British brand was founded, as a husband-and-wife team, in response to my own battle with pregnancy-related hair loss and an irritated scalp, and motivated by a desire to create our own solutions. I formerly worked in the research and development department of some of the largest beauty companies, and I have collaborated with some of the most creative and innovative natural beauty specialists to launch Wild Science Lab. Innovative solutions based on natural science, and devoted to providing high-performance, botanical, and sustainable products based on effectiveness, whilst upholding a pledge of environmental responsibility.
Have you found the sustainable, natural and vegan haircare and skincare sector a competitive one?
Yes, it is intensely competitive, but there is a clear differentiation. Many products claim to be natural, however owing to low concentrations of wild ingredients, the treatments usually aren’t very effective. Even though some have natural ingredients, many products include harmful chemicals that are nonetheless detrimental to your hair. Generally, our customers get positive outcomes. It’s meaningless to include natural ingredients “simply to keep up with the trend” if they don’t provide effective outcomes or make a significant impact. Those natural ingredients must have therapeutic values, and not be randomly thrown in.
By harnessing the pure energy of the wild world, Wild Science Lab has created effective, multi-award-winning hair and skin solutions that are shaking the realm of beauty. To counteract everyday skin and scalp stress produced by the environment, lifestyle, and biological changes, the collections are designed with high concentrations of active ingredients. Natural science-based solutions committed to offering high-performance, botanical, and sustainable goods founded on efficacy while keeping a commitment to environmental responsibility. Free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, the collections pledge to reveal your wild side.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
Launching during the pandemic. However, it didn’t stop us from growing as a brand. In the past few months as post- launch, we have already won so many awards.
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Home of Natural Innovations.
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of haircare or skincare?
It’s not just about creating a solution. There must be science behind it, and something unique. It should be different from what’s out there on the market.
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
Work, work and work. All day. Everyday. The amount of energy and enthusiasm poured into every tiny detail on the way, is more than what you would expect. But I have passion in what I try to achieve and set my goals high. Sometimes, you just need to switch off, and resist from checking your emails one more time, or just checking over that little thing you needed to finish. After all, looking after yourself is key to ambitious ideas and inspiration!
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
Self-care or spending time with my family. I always look to the bright side of things. Every misstep leads to a new path with opportunities!
Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?
‘It’s not the end. It’s the beginning.’
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media has played a huge role in the success of Wild Science Lab, especially during lockdown. Since it’s an online business, there’s no way to it then to spread the message online.
How do you want people to feel when they first try Wild Science Lab products?
I want people to feel the difference. Wild Science Lab has designed effective, multi- award-winning hair and skin solutions to shake the realm of beauty, by harnessing the pure power of the wild world. The collections are formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients, to combat daily skin and scalp stress caused by the environment, lifestyle, and biological fluctuations. Innovative solutions based on natural science, devoted to providing high-performance, botanical, and sustainable products built on effectiveness, whilst upholding a pledge of environmental responsibility. The LEAF + SEED collection was designed using a scalp-first strategy to achieve hair that is smooth, lustrous, and resilient from root to tip. The ROOT + FRUIT collection was created to achieve radiant glow, even skin tone, healthy luminosity, and a hydrated and plump complexion, derived with blends picked for their therapeutic values as well as their allergy- friendly aromas. Free from sulphates, silicones, and parabens, the collections pledge to reveal your wild side.
Do you have a personal favourite product that you can’t live without?
Head First Scalp Relief Shampoo! My hair loss slowed dramatically, and my scalp irritation ceased.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your collection would you take on a trip with you?
I would love to go to Australia, because the beaches are amazing. I would take travel- sized Head First Scalp Relief Shampoo and travel- sized Head Way Scalp Recovery Conditioner, since they would easily fit in my suitcase! I would also take my skincare routine, and apply lots of Bright Start SPF!
What’s next for you and your brand?
To carry on developing vegan, natural, effective and eco-friendly remedies to help people embrace their wild side.
Where can people find out more about Wild Science Lab?
They can check out the Wild Science Lab blog, where all things haircare and skincare are discussed! You can also find some handy tips too. https://wildsciencelab.com/blog/
