Balance Me

British sisters Rebecca and Clare Hopkins, co-founded Balance Me in 2005 when they spotted a gap in the market for natural, results-led beauty products.

The two sisters left their corporate careers behind, taking with them Rebecca’s experience in communications at L’Oréal and Clare’s experience in finance and operations. They retrained in the holistic field in the search for a better work-life balance.  Rebecca is a qualified reflexologist and Clare a yoga teacher and these additional skills inspired them to first set up a wellbeing events business which offered bespoke pampering packages and homemade skincare samples to a number of corporate clients. Doing so, they were spotted by Topshop who asked to buy 200 foot polishes and offered them a pop-up store on Oxford Street which led to the birth of Balance Me. From here they were approached by John Lewis who wanted to take the brand nationwide and Sian Jones joined, bringing her wealth of retail and aromatherapy experience to the brand. 10 years on Balance Me has reached natural skincare lovers across the globe, gained celebrity fans and won a wealth of industry awards.

Balance Me prides itself in the quality of its natural ingredients and the sophisticated textures that their products offer. Customers trust their naturally sourced active ingredients and aromas to solve skin concerns without creating others.

We were given the opportunity to spend some time with Rebecca and jumped at the chance to find out more about Balance Me and how they came to hear about The House of St Barnabas…

HoSB: What has been the biggest learning curve you’ve gone through in the last 10 years?

BM: Less is more. As a privately funded business everything we do must count. Cash is king and although we take calculated risks, each activity, new product launch, new retail partner or new country launch must deliver on our company mission, vision and values. If it doesn’t, then we should not focus our attention on it or we deviate from our goals.

 HoSB: If you could have a business superpower what would it be?

BM: To create more hours in the day!

HoSB: What do you think about the idea that luxury and social conscience aren’t mutually exclusive?

BM: The House of St Barnabas is a prime example of how luxury meets social consciousness and everyone benefits as a result! As a luxury skincare brand we are very excited to be forging a strong relationship with such an outstanding organisation.

HoSB: How did you come across The House of St Barnabas?

BM: We wanted a venue partner to showcase our products that had a social conscious. We have spoken to The House of St Barnabas over the years, hosted client events at the House, know the twins behind Benugo and also have many other links through private members and corporate partners. The timing is perfect this year to cement our relationship and bring our skincare brand to life across all your different platforms.

HoSB: Why have you chosen to support The House of St Barnabas?

BM: Because you have a heart and you are not just a private members club. You are also a charity.

HoSB: What are your hopes for the partnership between Balance Me and The House of St Barnabas?

BM: We would like to support your training academy programme with the view to employing students to work across our business. We would like to offer skincare luxury and treatments to your staff and members through our toiletries in the bathrooms, through pop-up pamper events, through special offers on our website and partnerships with your members. There are many possibilities and we are open to all ideas! One day we would like to open a Balance Me Spa at the House!

HoSB: If you could give one nugget of advice to anyone wanting to launch their own business what would it be?

BM:

1. Do your research to check there is a market for your product or service
2. If possible, find a complementary business partner as it is good to work as a couple
3. Stand back and challenge that your business idea will make you £ so you can eventually pay yourself a proper salary
4. Do your numbers. If you are not financial get appropriate help. Cash is king
5. Get help through friends, colleagues, family e.g. legal, financial, PR, IT etc
6. Network to grow your own support network, cultivate opinion formers, raise your own profile, publicise your business
7. Get your product or service right so there is repeat purchase or use

HoSB: Cats or dogs?

BM: Cats for me and my sister Clare.  We grew up with a Tabby and then Clare inherited Sylvie, a beautiful grey Tonkinese through a yoga student eight years ago. My daughters persuaded me that we should get a kitten and so Gracie was adopted six months ago from the RSPCA in Southall. Although they can be a handful, they do find owning the cats very therapeutic at times!