Inspiring Female Founder Spotlight: Nada Ward

From an established career in youth work to starting her own bodycare brand, Nada Ward founded Beauty kin in 2022 from her home in Yorkshire.

Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?

I launched Beauty Kin April 2022 but prior to launching the brand, I worked in the youth sector and had no previous beauty experience. We had just relocated to the north of England and then lockdown happened.

Driven by a new found love of soap during the lockdown period and wanting to become more plastic free, I set out to create a brand which was focused on providing solutions as well as being fit for purpose.

Unlike the average start up age of 35*, I was 48 when I founded the brand and left the youth sector to follow my ambition. Shortly after this, Beauty Kin was born.

Having found a local manufacturer and a pharmacist, I now work alongside them on the formulation of the bars to ensure they are totally focused on efficacy as well as the environment. I like solutions!  

How did the idea come to you for the company?

In the middle of a shower. I liked soap, but I didn’t like the feeling on my skin that some bars gave me. I thought it could be improved upon. I wanted to create a product that felt luxurious, looked good but also provided a solution (not just washed your skin) People (myself included) complain about the fact that soap dries skin out. This is something I wanted to avoid. Becoming plastic free shouldn’t mean making a compromise in quality levels. I wanted to create a product that you’d be proud to display on the bathroom shelf but that also provided a solution which meant you could also cut down on the additional products you generally use when coming out of the shower. Oh, and I wanted to make it accessible to all ! Not much then…

How did you achieve awareness?

By sheer hard work and a lot of trial and error. We worked alongside a PR agency to grow our awareness via traditional press and the usual channels of social media marketing.

What are the key successes?

Winning two competitions for best soap bar (we haven’t yet been trading a full year) and actually growing as a brand. I think sometimes it’s great to just sit back and look at what you’ve actually achieved. To come from nowhere with absolutely no background in this sector and start something that people love is a success in itself.

What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?

I had no knowledge of e-commerce at all so that has been a HUGE learning curve. Thelandscape has changed massively in terms of this so I’ve been playing catch up quite a bit. We don’t have the usual stock and supply chain challenges that a lot of brands have encountered in the past year as we’re UK manufactured.

What are your plans now/for the future?

To continue to grow and we’d love to be seen in some bricks and mortar retailers (come on superdrug and boots ..)! We’ll expand and improve on our existing range but always with a focus on providing solution driven skincare

What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?

Don’t let age be a barrier and just get on and do it. I think that’s the hardest part. You can plan all you like but you may as well get on with it and learn along the way.

Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?

Get yourself a good network. It can be lonely on your own. Collaborate with people that you gel with, that you spark off and that encourage you and are passionate about your business. Take all the advice you can get but ultimately the final decision lies with you. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else and recognise that their wins are down to their hard work just like your wins are down to yours. Oh and celebrate other peoples wins with them! Especially when it’s another female founder!

What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?

I’m not a fan of them to be honest but if I had to pick one it’d be “It’s never too late to be what you might have been” Just because I’m 49 this year!

What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?  

Website – https://beautykin.com/

TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeautykin

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thebeautykin/

Instagram –https://www.instagram.com/thebeautykin/