AS more innovative products launching on the beauty market by bright business start-ups and the steady decline of global market leaders and industry giants ownership of the market, local woman, Deborah Lamberton is hoping her new business ‘so27 skincare’ will revolutionise the beauty world.
Deborah has been supported by the ‘Go For It’ programme, which is currently run in collaboration with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Enterprise Northern Ireland, Enterprise North West and the Strabane Enterprise Agency.
The programme helped Deborah launch her business so27 skincare – a natural skincare manufacturing company that chooses high quality, natural and organic ingredients to create high-end skincare products with a spa feel.
Currently she is one of the challengers in Derry City and Strabane District Council’s £10k Business Start-Up Challenge and has just made her final pitch alongside thirteen other budding entrepreneurs to be in with a chance of winning a share of the £10k prize pot.
Deborah, who has been formulating her own skincare for over three years since gaining a Diploma in Organic Skincare said:
“I wanted to bring a natural product to the market that matched the quality of main-stream brands but with none of the junk.
“I plan to launch my ‘Rewind’ range, specifically formulated to make skin fresh and glowing, over the summer of 2017.
“The range has been designed specifically for those seeking to rewind time and have fresh, glowing, youthful skin and next year I plan to launch my ‘Clear’ range for those with problem skin. As consumers are becoming more aware of what goes in to their products, I wanted to bring to the market a brand that could be trusted, formulated with only the highest quality of natural and organic ingredients.
“I am the Head of Programmes for Young Enterprise NI and for the past 11 years I have been encouraging young people to start a business.
“I have always been passionate about enterprise and a lucky opportunity unfolded while working on a European project with Young Enterprise in Italy.
“The local area harvested their local olives and used them to produce the most beautiful skincare and hair care products.
“I immediately noticed a difference to my skin and on my return home I realised my regular choice of skincare just didn’t live up to the same performance, which was the point where my research and learning started.
“When I got involved in the ‘Go For It’ programme I knew what I wanted to do with my business but I really needed to formulate that into a business plan and work out the numbers, the programme helped me map out exactly where I felt my business was headed and more importantly, ensure the numbers made sense.
“The 10k business challenge is an amazing Council-led initiative for young and new business start-ups that really helps break down some of the barriers that start-up’s face. I am excited to be shortlisted amongst some brilliant new and innovative companies and I am really excited about sharing my products with everyone.
“To win would be the icing on the cake. The money will certainly be an advantage and will accelerate my business into year two of my plan and help cover the costs of the very expensive cosmetic assessments that all skincare products must go through.
“However, the accolade of the award and the associated PR this would bring would greatly assist with catapulting my brand as ‘award-winning’ and would be a fantastic endorsement – and that would be priceless!
Tara Nicholas from the Business Team at Derry City and Strabane District Council, said Deborah’s start-up business was a very good example of what can be achieved with the ‘Go For It’ programme, she added, ‘Go For It’ is a one stop shop for local businesses and entrepreneurs like Deborah.
“Our team is there to help, support and assist businesses to push forward and be on hand with useful information and advice to successfully get businesses off the ground.
“During one-to-one assessment meetings with our dedicated business advisors we can offer support in financial and business planning, developing a business plan and ways to access funding and finance, to ensure individuals are getting the most out of their business plan.”
10K Challenge first, second and third place winners will be announced this Thursday 22nd June and the lucky winners will each get a share of the £10,000 prize money to invest in their business.
For further information please contact Derry City and Strabane District Council’s business support services on 028 7125 3253.
For information on the ‘Go For It’ programme go to www.goforitni.com
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