Beauty Science Labs, exists to support indie personal care/beauty brands with their
New Product Development requirements.
Brands that are scaling, can enjoy having a chemist without the commitment of employing one full time and start up brands can benefit from retaining their intellectual property which will enable them more ownership over their formulations as they grow.
How did it all begin?
As a Cosmetic Science (BSc) Graduate – London College of Fashion Alumni I have
accumulated over a decade of Industry experience. A member & the social
secretary of The Society of Cosmetic Scientist (SCS) and a founding member of the
Nigerian Society of Cosmetic Science (NiCos). A second-generation Briton, who uses
my resource rich African heritage as inspiration for interesting and inspiring raw material
trends and concepts. Up till 2017, I had worked at multinational and small scale contract
manufacturers in the UK before transitioning into Regional Account Management and
ingredient sales. That’s when I saw a gap in the market to serve and make R&D
facilities more accessible to indie beauty entrepreneurs. As
COVID restrictions began to ease, a premises near my home in
Sunbury on Thames became available for more than half price as the landlord was
keen to let the space. I value designing unique, creative and ‘on trend’ formulations to suit a brands
personality. I feel strongly about efficacy, educating brand owners on how to eliminate
toxic marketing and encourage sustainability throughout the supply chain of FMCG working with Ecovadis or Fair Trade approved suppliers where possible.
What sets your business apart?
Our technical knowledge and personal touch is what has kept many of our customers
loyal.
What is the concept behind your business or the problem you’re solving?
We exist to give independent beauty brands the necessary resources and technical support to facilitate new innovative product development.
Where to next/What is your brand vision?
Our hopes are to be able to offer our services in West Africa and help to facilitate and
give leverage to A-Beauty brands born in Africa, that want to be sold in the EMEA, UK
and USA regions.
Tumi Siwoku
Founder of
Beauty Science Labs
What do you feel passionate about/what drives you?
Passionate about empowering women who are aware of their shortcomings to play into
and focus on their strengths and to be bold about existing in their sphere of influence. I
also feel strongly about the healing power of community and eating/living well.
Share an example of early life that has shaped you?
My father passed away two weeks prior to me being born, this threw my mother into
motherhood without a spouse. Understanding how our family and friends became a
village and pillar of strength to my mother made me see how powerful a support system
in any capacity is so crucial. My mother is, to me the giants’ shoulders that I stand on,
whilst in full time employment she pursued business’ in real estate, as well as fashion.
She had a business selling well cut ladies shirts from her supplier in the USA and would
sell them for a slightly lower price point than T.M Lewin or PINK. Her drive, resilience
and entrepreneurial flair seems to have been something that I have inherited to a
degree.
Highlights of your business journey so far?
After living in the West Country (Devon) for almost a decade, my business has allowed
for me to continue to do what I love from the comfort of my hometown, a luxury I didn’t
have before as a Chemist. I feel most proud of the relationships that I cultivated whilst
living and working in Devon. They have enabled me to continue serving my clients
whilst staying close to work that I thoroughly enjoy.
Key lessons you have learned along the way?
I’ve learnt that a CEO is very different to a creative/visionary founder. I came to realize
my strengths are not in managing business operations but in driving the creative and
visionary side of business. I now understand why creative founders tend to eventually
step away from the day to day running of a business. It frees up their time to innovate
and stay close to the things they’re truly passionate about.
Best piece of advice you have received?
“To not cast your pearls before swine” – such a strong statement but It’s bible scripture
an older south African friend of mine shared with me, she’s in her 60s and comes with a
wealth of experience. This was said in attempt to convey a picture of knowing what you
bring to the table, knowing your worth and not trying to convince those that do not
immediately see your brilliance of your worth.
Advice to an aspiring entrepreneur or woman just starting her career?
The journey to self-actualization is a marathon and not a sprint, to continue to follow the
paths you feel most energised by and to continue to trust your gut about making the
right choices for yourself. I rebelled against my mothers wish for me to study medicine
and it paid off, I am thriving in a path that feeds the best of me.
What funding route have you chosen for your business and why?
Up till now, I have used my own personal savings, government grants and Innovate UK
funding as well as being fortunate to be on Payroll for one of my customers, this helps
me to continue ticking on without outside capital. If we get the opportunity to go for
venture capital – I’d love to grab it because growing a team and having more chemists
involved would be an absolute dream!
Some of the challenges you have faced and how you overcame them?
Initially felt overwhelmed by the amount of operational elements there are to running a
business, now I delegate everything that I am not particularly enthusiastic about. I have
a brilliant virtual PA for admin and accountant for all things money (& HMRC)!
Why is it important to support women-led business?
Community sustains everything, it adds strength, and it encourages. In a business world
where the misogyny exists, women best stick together.
60
Seconds
with
Tumi Siwoku
My inspiration is...
my mother.
My greatest fear is...
is not living a purposeful life.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is...
skydived for charity.
Guilty pleasure?
any type of chocolate from the Ferrero Roche Family (Kinder Beuno etc).
Mantra you live by?
what you sow, is what you reap.
Female role model?
Madame C J Walker.
Women-led brand you love?
Lovewell once again.
Top productivity tool?
3 point, daily to do Lists.
Beauty Science Labs has created a SPECIAL OFFER exclusively for Women's Chapter Members