EPISODE NOTES
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Today on the podcast I’m talking to Laurence Quinnell from Leonora Haircare. I actually have two businesses on the podcast in the next couple of weeks who sell hair products. The reason for this is they make similar products, but their stories and way they have produced their hair products are really different, and I think it is fascinating to see different ways of setting up a similar business.
I know Laurence personally, use her products myself, and I've been really inspired by her story over the last couple of months. Laurence is an ex-midwife who, having been made redundant from a high street job in the pandemic, has set up her own business and is making the products at home. She has been incredibly diligent about making sure that her products are all accredited and certified, and has developed her products using Ayurvedic ingredients. She has achieved so much in a short amount of time, and is incredibly knowledgeable about the importance of ensuring cosmetic products are safe to use, and how to go about this.
Listen in to hear Laurence share:
- An introduction to herself and her business (01:17)
- Using Ayurvedic ingredients (05:49)
- Finding a formula that worked, and getting it certified (09:04)
- Practical considerations when creating your product at home (12:17)
- Long it takes to create a batch (14:42)
- How long it took to bring her products to market (15:42)
- Gaining feedback, reviews and customers from sending out samples (19:30)
- Sourcing sustainable packaging (23:25)
- Using fellow small business owners for printing and logo design (25:45)
- Getting stocked in local shops and setting up partnerships with hair salons (28:52)
- The differences between selling on Etsy and on her website, and shipping globally (34:11)
- The importance of testing the product at the outset (41:33)
- Working with the NEA (46:51)
- Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (49:47)
USEFUL RESOURCES:
Leonora Haircare Website
Leonora Haircare Etsy
Leonora Haircare Instagram
Leonora Haircare Facebook
Leonora Haircare Tiktok
Leonora Haircare Twitter
Laurence Quinnell Linked In
NEA - New Enterprise Allowance - this has now closed to new participants June 2022
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Mentioned in this episode:
FREE call for Amazon Sellers
I’m running a free call on 26 Feb for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together.
It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on upcoming Amazon policy changes, Q&A and discussion about what’s working and what’s not right now. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen.
I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join.
Amazon Sellers Support & Connect
FREE call for Amazon Sellers
I’m running a free call on 26 Feb for anyone selling on Amazon (or planning to) who’d like some practical support and a chance to talk things through together.
It’ll be very relaxed - a mix of updates from me on upcoming Amazon policy changes, Q&A and discussion about what’s working and what’s not right now. It’s fine to come along and chat, or to just sit back and listen.
I’d love to see you there if you’re able to join.
Amazon Sellers Support & Connect
