Behind the Brand – A Look Behind The Scenes At Our Platinum Award Sponsors
Let me ask you a question – would you go to any dentist in any town for your routine check-up? Are you happy to go to any hairdresser who has an appointment? The answer will be no! – we do business with those we like, know and trust! As customers we want to know if we can ‘like, know and trust’ the companies we buy from, so in this series we look at the brands who are sponsoring our 2018 Platinum Awards to step out into the spotlight and share with you.
It’s the turn of Rebecca Martin from Conscious Skincare
Tell us about yourself and your company…
I’m Rebecca Martin, founder of Conscious Skincare, a multi award-winning organic skincare company, based on the gorgeous west Wales coastline. I’m married with an 11 year old son.
How did you get started?
Couple of things really. Previously, I worked for a major company and spent a lot of time in airports where I’d buy a stock of high end face cream in Duty Free. A flight delay one day meant I had some time on my hands and I started to read the ingredients list. I consider myself to be reasonably educated but I couldn’t understand a word. I was then and still am very careful about what I eat, organic whenever possible so why was I putting stuff on my face that I had no clue about?
That’s when my research began into skincare ingredients. There was little choice for more natural and organic products, just the same, water based ‘thin’ moisturisers out there which did nothing for my skin and so the concept of Conscious Skincare was born! It was a while later when my husband and I moved to Wales that the catalyst for launching Conscious Skincare occurred. My husband was poisoned by wood stain and was very ill for months. It left him hypo-allergenic to just about everything so I scrambled around, going through all my notes and came up with some products he could use safely. It was a very scary time in our lives.
What were you doing in a previous life?
Like most people, working long hours in London, doing a long commute whilst studying a Masters degree in my ‘spare’ time!
Why natural / organic / sustainable?
Did you know that today, you need to eat 4 apples to get the same amount of vitamins and minerals we used to get from 1? Seeing the damage to ourselves and our environment caused by our chemically- laden way of life, the repercussions of sugar laden diet, the short-sightedness of intensive farming and mono culture depleting nutrients in the soil, all slowly destroying our food chain. Knowing the long term impact of plastic was always going to come to a head. It’s only now that governments are waking up to this crisis meanwhile, manufacturers and supermarkets carry on regardless as if they won’t be affected by it. I just can’t stand by and contribute to all of this as if it’s someone else’s responsibility. That’s why a natural, organic and sustainable lifestyle is not only incredibly important to me but it’s essential to a good quality of life going forward.
What’s your USP? What sets you apart from your competitors?
I personally create all of my products; each one is unique. And then I make them. I use a Soil Association Approved food processing facility near where we live. I’m allowed in there because all our ingredients are plant based, no chemical concoctions in there! I know exactly what goes into my products and where the organic ingredients come from. I carefully hand-pick the right suppliers. I define how my products are made and ensure my organic ingredients aren’t overworked so that they keep as much of their nutritional value as possible.
What kind of feedback you have received from clients?
My products and our customer service receive absolutely fantastic feedback but it’s still always a surprise! My mantra is ‘you’re only as good as your last product!’ Although many business people would say business isn’t personal, I take everything very personally in Conscious Skincare! It’s such a joy every time I hear that one of my products has helped someone’s eczema, helped a teenager’s acne, helped reduce scar tissue, given someone back their confidence through the flattering comments they now get after using my face creams and moisturisers. It’s funny, but even after all this time, receiving amazing feedback still makes me go red!
What’s the next big launch / project coming up for you?
Rather than a launch, it’s a positive step forward to offer refills and a refill service. It’s something I wanted to do from the very start but getting the model to work for everyone has been a challenge. Now there is more market awareness and appetite for a refill service, I’m looking to get it started in the coming months!
What’s your big dream?
To be the next Anita Roddick! Bold I know and she was unique. I was lucky to be a teenager in the 80s when Anita Roddick first appeared. She brought a whole new way of thinking and showed you could have a successful business and run it in an ethical way so everyone could benefit. In my day, I marched against just about everything, always fighting for the underdog. Nowadays, I’m more of an armchair protester but the fire Anita Roddick started in me is still there and burning bright! If I could emulate just a few of the things she did and bring some new ways of doing things for the benefit of all living things on the planet, that’ll do for me.
Why have you chosen to be involved with the JANEY LOVES Platinum Awards?
Janey herself is a bit of a trailblazer! Her website is an established, go-to place for many to get help or guidance on pursuing a healthier lifestyle. People perceive her as knowing what she is talking about and trust her. I’ve entered the awards for several years now and I’m so proud that my products have won awards. This has been a huge ego-boost to know that the high-calibre panel of judges think so highly of my products. When the opportunity to become a sponsor came up, I jumped at the chance because the awards have such long-standing credibility in the natural and organic world.
Where can we find your products?
Our customers are all over the world so I sell directly from my website www.conscious-skincare.com. As well as all my products, there’s lots of interesting information about ingredients, how to use my products and hints and tips on how to live a more ‘conscious’ life in my Conscious Living section. Lots of people get in touch about their skin concerns and which products would be best for them. I listen to them, provide advice and suggest products that may help or a new skincare routine to try; for my customers, I’m always here and happy to help!
www.conscious-skincare.com