Member Article

Ex-Deloitte professional turns entrepreneur with Ripon handmade cosmetics venture

Ripon entrepreneur, Jennifer Feltham, who formerly worked at Deloitte, has set up Mia & Dom Organic Skin care, which specialises in handmade herbal products for mothers and babies.

Jen’s business came from her desire to use only natural products on her own children Mia and Dominic.

She has had experience of marketing and business development having spent 15 years working for professional services firms Deloitte and Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds.

She explained: “I have been making what my father dubbed ‘lotions and potions’ since the age of eight and I have always had a passion for natural medicine and herbal products. This passion has led me to gain experience – and qualifications – in herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

“As a result I started creating soothing creams and balms in my own kitchen, and once I had perfected them, the time was right to launch Mia & Dom Skin care.

“My objective, which is instilled throughout the company, is to use the very best ingredients to provide our customers with beautiful, organic, natural and safe skin care for their family. My organic, natural mother and baby products are gentle on delicate skin, eczema-friendly and free from harsh chemicals,” she said.

“Our skin care range is aimed primarily at pregnant mothers, new mothers and babies, as I feel there is a major gap in the market there.

“But that does not mean that they cannot be used by younger women and older men, or older women and young men, who want to look after their skin naturally or treat conditions such as eczema or psoriasis,” Jen explained.

“The business will be primarily mail order and, working from home, I will be utilizing social networking sites as a primary source of marketing.

“The huge popularity of sites such as Netmums and Mumsnet graphically underlines the power of the Internet when it comes to mothers, and these sites specialise in providing advice on parenting, pregnancy and baby care products.

“I also feel the time is absolutely right to launch Mia & Dom Skin care. Women are having babies at an older age than previously, when they are more financially secure, which has provided a significant boost to the mother and baby product market.”

Jen is also keeping Mia & Dom Skin care in the family. Apart from naming the company after her two children Mia and Dom, step-son Tom has been instrumental in developing the website, www.miadomskincare.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .