GAIL Bryden set up wellbeing firm JustBe 10 years ago after a period of stress. She retrained from working in consumer insight to alternative therapy and created the company, providing spa treatments, herbal teas and skincare products.
Name: Gail Bryden
Age: 47
Position: Founder
WHAT IS THE BUSINESS CALLED?
JustBe Botanicals
WHERE IS IT BASED?
WHY DID YOU SET UP THE BUSINESS?
AS work related stress had started to affect me, I wanted to focus on my own health and retained in a range of wellbeing therapies. Working with clients one-to-one as well as on retreat, was the inspiration for the range. I always started each treatment by asking clients why they’d booked in and how they’d like to feel. Clients always talked about what they didn’t want, to feel less tired or stressed. I wanted to provide something that focused on the positive. There are six signature blends: JustBe Happy, Active Energised, Tranquil, Pure & Detox which form the basis of the wellbeing journey. Whilst the range started with massage oils, it has developed over the years to include natural skincare, spa treatments, soy candles, enriched soaps, herbal teas and aromatherapy chocolate. Each treatment is tailored to the individual, and The Gin Spa has become the No.1 spa on Trip advisor in Glasgow.
In the early stages of setting up my business, I received support from Business Gateway and ESPARK as well as receiving funding from Scottish EDGE. There’s a strong network of support for small and growing businesses in Scotland. There’s so much support in Scotland. The business is 10 years old and it needs different support over its lifespan. My ambassador role is about sharing my story and supporting other females.
WHAT IS YOUR TARGET MARKET?
I ALMOST think of the target market as myself. It’s a very female-led range. When I started out, I thought it would appeal to women from their mid-30s but there’s a growing awareness of natural-led skincare for teenage skin. If mum buys it then it is suitable for all the family. The cleansing gel won an award at the Freefrom Skincare Awards in the family category.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM COMPETING BUSINESSES?
JUSTBE'S all about the emotions – how you want to feel. While aromatherapy oils and a range of botanicals form the base, it’s an intuitive range and there’s something for each of the five senses –you can touch it, taste it, smell it, see it and even it hear it [JustBe in tune, is an album of music based on the DNA of the essential oils]. The entire range is also nut free which I think is another real point of difference. The key ingredient in most of the products is coconut oil, the benefits of which are more widely known than when I started. There’s a growing awareness of the importance of what we apply on our skin. As the skin absorbs upto 60%, if you wouldn’t eat it, you probably shouldn’t put it onto your body. When I started JustBe, I was staggered to learn that the average female applies over 500 chemicals a day as part of her beauty routine. With a growing interest in wellbeing, the popularity of ethical and natural skincare will continue to grow. Scottish skincare brands are well placed to be part of this growing sector. JustBe Kind is the latest addition to the range with 20% going back to support Scottish mental health charity SAMH.
IS SCOTLAND A GOOD PLACE FOR THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS?
ABSOLUTELY. The business network is very accessible. Businesses are willing and want to support other businesses.
There’s an understanding that if you have something unique and a purpose then people will be willing to support it.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
MAKING a change. I like hearing feedback that people have experienced something positive. I love the variety, flexibility and ability to make decisions at your own pace. You can put purpose before profit and know you are doing it for the right reasons.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
KNOWING that things can take time. It takes time to be a success and I try not to rush it. It’s also hard to switch off. I work from home and in the early stages that could be a challenge but recently I converted my loft so it’s more separate.
WHERE DO YOU HOPE THE BUSINESS WILL BE IN 10 YEARS’ TIME?
IT’S an exciting time because in skincare people are now more aware of their carbon footprint. The entire range is blended in Scotland and people like to understand where it is from and know the story behind it. People care about mindfulness and mental health.
This year I’ve got an exciting project – I’m working with the visit co-ordinator in Scotland for the Dalai Lama. It’s interesting to see how much the company has changed in 10 years. The next 10 years will be about how to scale the company up.
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