Meet the Team: Clara
Welcome back to our blog series in which we will be introducing each member of the fantastic team here at The Cosy Cottage Soap Company to help you get to know us. This week we are catching up with the founder of Cosy Cottage, Clara.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am the founder of The Cosy Cottage Soap Company and currently work full time making, marketing and selling our lovely products worldwide. Before starting Cosy Cottage, I worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland and for IBM. For several years I lived and worked in the Middle East, Far East and in Africa. In 2014 I took some time out and in January, 2015 my book, A Tapestry of Vice and Virtue, was published. My first novel, it has sold in excess of eight hundred copies and I really enjoy hearing from readers. Since coming back to the UK, I live in Yorkshire, which I certainly consider the most beautiful place in the world!
What inspired you to establish The Cosy Cottage Soap Company?
After discovering the potentially harmful effects of certain chemicals (such as SLS) found in commercial cosmetic products, I decided to make my own and have done so for many years from my 'kitchen laboratory'. Having previously trained as a chemist during my years at the Imperial College London and as an Associate of the Royal College of Science, I was familiar with the science behind creating these products. I soon moved onto balms, bubbles and creams and in 2016, my sister Kate joined me, as operations director, in the business. We refreshed our packaging, began to sell via a number of independent retailers and in France too. We also set up a the website to sell online and now Kate works almost full-time in the business too. The rest, they say, is history.
When you aren't working at The Cosy Cottage Soap Company, where can we find you?
When I'm not up to my elbows in soap, creams and balms, I enjoy passing the time with friends and family and walking in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside with my two dogs. I also run courses, retreats and workshops for writers with my good friend Janet over in France, Awakening the Writer Within. This week we have been at a week long retreat in France with six lovely writers. A wonderful break from all things soap and creams!
Which Cosy Cottage product is your favourite?
It has to be our Hemp and Patchouli Soap, Hand and Body Balm. The beneficial properties of hempseed oil for skin and well-being are numerous and I absolutely love the evocative scent of patchouli.
Visit The Cosy Cottage Soap Company Store at www.cosycottagesoap.co.uk
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