Some moments in running a small independent brand stay with you.
This week, I was invited to an evening with skincare expert and Skin Rocks founder Caroline Hirons at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh. It was a celebration of skincare, full of conversation and advice. Fittingly, one of Caroline's comments stayed with me: laughter lines are a sign of a life well lived.
A chance to say thank you
There was another reason the evening felt special. Back in 2014, Caroline reviewed the JustBe Cleansing Balm on her blog and called it one of the nicest she had ever used. Having Caroline recommend one of my products was a huge moment. Her review went on to introduce JustBe to customers far beyond the UK, including people in Canada, Europe and Australia.
Her review mentioned that my range included chocolate, so I took along the collection for her to try, together with a Happy Aromatherapy Pulse Point Rollerball. And, of course, I couldn't resist asking for a photograph.
From JustBe Cleansing Balm to Skin Rocks
It was also a lovely opportunity to learn more about Caroline's own brand, Skin Rocks. Naturally, I couldn't leave empty-handed. When asked to name her favourite product, she said she's always reluctant to answer, because the last time she did, it sold out. She did mention that One Spa still had some in stock, so I came away with The Antioxidant, along with The Strong Acid, which was a personal recommendation. I'm looking forward to seeing how they fit into my own routine.
Perhaps that's another thing I took from the evening. Even after more than a decade of creating skincare myself, I'm still curious. I still love discovering new products, learning from other people in the industry and trying something different.
A little reminder of the JustBe journey
Meeting Caroline also made me reflect on how much can happen in a small business over a decade. In 2014, JustBe was still finding its feet. Today it has grown into a Scottish skincare and aromatherapy brand with a professional range used by therapists, alongside spa collaborations, teaching partnerships and customers across the UK and beyond.
There have been plenty of twists and turns along the way, and plenty of people who have helped JustBe along the journey, sometimes without realising quite how much their support meant. Caroline's review was one of those moments.
Celebrating the laughter lines
I came away with some new skincare to try, lovely photographs and a reminder to appreciate the journey. The business journey, the skincare journey and my own.
Here's to gratitude, plenty more learning and a few more laughter lines along the way. Thank you to the team at One Spa and the Sheraton Grand for such a lovely evening.