For International Women’s Day (March 8) we’re speaking to the female founders of five of the UK’s beauty brands, all of whom have passion, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of other women.
Scroll on to read their stories and learn how these women came to start their brands.
‘My brand grew out of personal experience of hair loss’
Gail Waterman, co-founder of Watermans Hair
‘My journey to becoming a co-founder of Watermans, a globally recognised haircare brand, began with a deeply personal struggle. Like millions worldwide, I faced the daunting challenge of hair loss.
‘The experience was not just physical but also deeply emotional, impacting my confidence and self-image. The market was flooded with products promising results, but none seemed to deliver the effectiveness I desperately sought. Fuelled by frustration and a determination to find a solution, I embarked on a mission.
‘This wasn’t only just about regaining my hair; it was about reclaiming control and helping others facing similar struggles. That’s how Watermans was born. Driven by a passion to create products that genuinely work, we delved deep into research, exploring the science of hair growth and hair health.
‘Our goal was clear: develop a product that’s not just a temporary fix but a source of long-lasting confidence. After countless trials and tribulations, we achieved our breakthrough. The first bottle of Watermans hair growth shampoo was more than a product; it represented hope and resilience.
‘It was a solution crafted from personal experience and made with care. The response was nothing short of phenomenal. Word spread rapidly, as did the results experienced by our customers. What started as a solution to a personal problem resonated with people worldwide. We now sell a bottle every 30 seconds!
‘Today, Watermans is more than a brand; it’s a community. We’ve empowered so many individuals to face their hair challenges with confidence and pride. Our journey from personal struggle to global success isn’t just about selling products; it’s about transforming lives, one bottle at a time.’
Find out more at watermanshair.com
‘All our products are effective, ethical and pure’
Cheryl Thallon, founder and MD of Viridian Nutrition
‘My career in the natural products movement began when I started working in independent health food stores at age 21. Later, in the 1990s, I became editor of Natural Food Trader magazine and visited hundreds of health food stores and natural product manufacturers in the UK and around the world.
‘I fell in love with both the kindness and the knowledge of the independent health-store staff, as well as the healthy, cruelty-free, environmental products they sold. But over the years, as I dug deeper into the ingredients and the manufacturing processes, I became more concerned with the supply network.’In 1999, I set up Viridian Nutrition with three fundamental principles: purity, environment and community support. These core values have since evolved into effective, ethical and pure.
‘The purity of supplements is rarely considered, with many products having the words “natural” and “healthy” on them. However, the majority of vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements include a wide range of “junk” additives, i.e. ultra-processed ingredients that are used to speed up and cheapen the process, which are otherwise useless and have negative health impacts.
‘To drive change, we’ve commissioned a body of research called Viridian Dejunk Your Life and launched a national campaign to encourage people to rethink their diets and lifestyles, read labels, and dig deeper into their nutritional choices.
‘We not only sell supplements but also skincare, including herbal balms to soothe skin, including one with horse chestnut to revive heavy legs, one with arnica to soothe aching muscles, plus a lip balm and nail and cuticle oil.
‘We have also just launched our Organic Repair 5 Serum, containing black seed, flaxseed, lavender, chamomile and safflower, which is great for any areas of dry skin.
‘Being founder and managing director of Viridian, in an industry where our main competitors are owned by mega food or pharmaceutical companies, I can control the ingredient and supplement journey, from the seeds to the recycling bank, ensuring our products are 100 per cent active and ethical standards are met.
‘My daughter, Holly, joined Viridian in 2021, and together we are on a continued mission to help make the world a kinder, healthier and happier place.’
Find vitamins and skincare at viridian-nutrition.com
