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 ask the person behind some of my favourite natural and organic companies to step out into the spotlight
It’s the turn of Michelle and James Sutton from Butterflies Healthcare
Tell us about yourself and your company?
James and I run an eye health company specialising in dry eye treatments, eye vitamins and cosmetics for sensitive eyes/skin and contact lens wearers. We are a family run business based in rural Oxfordshire. In 2011, I won a Banbury Business Woman of the Year Award for an Established Business and in 2013 we won Team of the Year at the Banbury Employee of the Year Awards.
How did you get started? What were you doing in a previous life?
We noticed customers were unable to purchase certain eye vitamins and drops from the opticians and pharmacies we worked in at the time as they were not stocked at the wholesalers. We set up our company to distribute these niche products. When the UK distributor retired for NATorigin, James applied to take it on as he had seen as an optician just how many women struggled with eye sensitivity issues, particularly those with dry eyes or who wore lenses.
Why natural / organic / sustainable?
In 1990, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With little research on PCOS, I successfully treated my illness using natural remedies and detoxifying my lifestyle. I remain passionate about natural beauty since I developed sensitive skin myself as a result of my hormonal imbalance.
My skin improved massively when I switched to using the extremely tolerant NATorigin cosmetics and skincare. Previously my skin was prone to spots and my cheeks were so sore but it all cleared up immediately. As a pharmacist myself, I see first-hand how ill we are as a society and I believe that a simpler and more natural lifestyle is well worth investing in.
What’s your USP? What sets you apart from your competitors?
In 2004, we came across Contapharm, a small, family run, French company. I met with the pharmacists who developed the science behind NATorigin over 30 years ago in France, the home of many well-known cosmetic companies. I was impressed with the company and the way they had responded to their pharmacy customer requests for a hypo-allergenic yet natural beauty range. The similarities between our two families underpins a close working relationship that values our joint aim to help women who are unable to wear cosmetics, particularly mascara, due to allergy or intolerance.
What kind of feedback have you received from clients?
Over the years we have received lots of positive feedback from award judges and many glowing testimonials, here are two recent ones;
“I have been using NATorigin eye liner (3 colours) and mascara regularly for over one year now, and I am delighted that my eyes don’t react and become inflamed, as they do with other brands.”
“I have tried the eyeshadow and I get no problems with it at all! This is just brilliant as it is at least ten years since I have been able to wear eye make-up. Just brilliant!”
What’s the next big launch / project coming up for you?
We have just launched NATorigin nail enamels and we are busy submitting entries for the Green Parent, Free From Skincare and Cherwell Business Awards.
What’s your big dream?
To be the leading hypo-allergenic brand for sensitive eyes/skin and contact lens wearers.
Where can we find your products ?
Website www.natorigin.co.uk
On our website, independent health food stores or online at Amazon, Lovelula, Vanessa’s Choice, Our Natural Selection, Evonsch and Lucy Rose (natural beauty retailers), AllergyBestBuys and Allersafe.