HANDMADE SOAP COMPANY:Donagh Quigley is a thatcher by trade who needed to find something new to do as demand for his skill dwindled. While on a road trip in Australia with his partner, Gemma McGowan, they visited a local market in a rainforest and discovered a vibrant cottage industry making soaps with natural ingredients.
Having tried the soaps and discovered they suited Quigley’s sensitive skin, the idea for the Kells-based Handmade Soap Company was born.
The company began trading in 2009 and employs four people. All products are made in-house. Sales are growing exponentially (300 per cent year on year) and Quigley is aiming for a turnover of €1 million by the end of 2013.
Currently, the balance between domestic and export sales is 50-50, but this is expected to tip in favour of exports shortly.
The firm is selling in the UK, the US and most recently secured a deal with a large Japanese retail group.
BEARNA NATURAL CARE
Ronan McGuire launched Galway-based Bearna Natural Care last November with organic and Fairtrade Argan oil as its initial product. McGuire became aware of the oil when travelling in western Morocco.
“I discovered it had been used by Berber women for centuries and is regarded as a superfood for the skin and hair,” he says.
McGuire’s product is niche within a niche, but he intends raising the oil’s profile and adding more products by the summer. He has just signed two distributors to take the product nationwide and is setting his sights on building an export business to the Bric countries.
SALLY MILLER COLLECTION
Cork-based aromatherapist Sally Miller set up her handmade skincare business in 2006. Unrefined shea butter, which is known for its healing properties, is a key ingredient in her range.
“I think the reason for the growth in the sector is that people are much more aware of what they are putting on their skin,” she says.
“They want products that soothe and moisturise and that are also ethical and made with sustainable ingredients.”
Despite the recession, Euromonitor is predicting that the Irish skincare market will grow by 3 per cent between now and 2015.
Facial moisturisers top the skincare sales table here and were worth €34.9 million in 2010.
