Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch and successfully grow a creative brand that is also kind to the planet? Especially within an industry that is traditionally known for its impact? We chat to the leading force behind Southsea Bathing Hut, the ethical skincare brand, to find out how.
The world is changing. Consumers are understanding the impact that choice and consumption has on the planet and personal health. As a small business, how do you match this evolving consumer conscious and build a successful creative brand, that is also kind to the planet?
Well, I managed to speak to someone who is doing just that. I squeezed in a chat with Samantha, the leading force behind ethical skincare brand Southsea Bathing Hut. She kindly took a break from weighing, mixing & blending indulgent ingredients in her workshop, and opened up on how she grew all of this from the ground up.
From its humble beginnings on Samantha’s kitchen table just three years ago, Southsea Bathing Hut has grown to a brand with over 30 products, a well-established workshop and newly launched beauty retreat. All whilst maintaining its strong value-driven core to create ethical, conscious and sustainable products. Core values that define every decision Samantha makes, from the individual ingredients used, through to the packaging chosen.
Her journey and approach to business is really is something to admire. Especially once you find out that Samantha had no previous experience within the skincare industry before launch. Being very happy in another creative career, Samantha had a niggle that there could be more out there, so she used her personal savings and followed that intuition.
I make that sound easy. It took a lot (!) of hard work, a strong passion for the industry, research, determination and very clear strategic direction to make it happen. Her approach offers so many valuable insights into growing a product-based company, including the need to make every decision value-drive, and really understand the direction you want the business to go in (despite what people say).
I had an epic time hanging out in Samantha’s incredible product-making workshop, and came away with such value in my own approach to business growth, but also a need to ditch all my old skincare products for the consciously sourced Southsea Bathing Hut range!
Links from the episode
Southsea Bathing Hut
Angela Chick Illustrations
Strong Island
Love Southsea