Beauty Science Labs

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

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.

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