Interview with Claire Barker, Founder of Barker & Sloane
When you’re head down preparing to launch a new business, it’s good to step back and reflect where you’ve come from and why you started it all in the first place! We are lucky to be working with Tara Punter PR who recently tied me down to get the low down on who we are….
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO LAUNCH BARKER & SLOANE?
I already have a successful award-winning skincare brand that uses the honey and beeswax from our own hives, but I decided I wanted to be more specific and develop a targeted skincare range. My initial products were quite generic which is great for my current customer base but I’m out and about all year round and my skin suffers dreadfully with exposure to the elements. Whether I’m out with the bees or at the clay shooting ground in the summer or during the colder winter months working on the shoot or standing on a peg, my skin certainly gets tested to the limits! With my experience as a skincare cosmetic formulator, I was able to develop a new range that targeted those issues.
WHAT MAKES BARKER & SLOANE DIFFERENT TO OTHER SKINCARE BRANDS?
A whole number of things. One thing that I’m super excited about is that we have worked with British farmers and are using British botanical oils. I don’t know any other skincare brand that does that. All of our skincare ingredients are also specifically sourced to work with the skin so they are nutritionally beneficial which means they really work and deliver the results you expect
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE CHALLENGES ALONG THE WAY?
From a formulation perspective, working with those British oils has been a challenge – the natural scents that these oils produce isn’t always a good one! Red raspberry seed oil for example, doesn’t smell like raspberries believe it or not – that’s been a challenge and I think that’s why cosmetic formulators don’t work with those oils. Supporting British farmers is really important to me – it’s great to support British industries but it also keeps air miles down so matches our very strong sustainable ethics. Sourcing packaging that is effective, beautiful and yet recyclable has also been a challenge. We have opted for glass for now but we are always open to new ways in how we can limit our waste.
WHAT’S BEHIND THE NAME?
Well starters, Barker is my own surname and being the founder and the creator of our products. The Sloane aspect of the brand is all about an influential strong woman at the top of her game, much like Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. Those with good social connections who enjoy the field sports associated with country life.
WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM BARKER & SLOANE?
We are launching three key products to start with which will become the core of your skincare regime. The Daily Defender is to be applied in the morning as it protects your skin from the elements throughout the day and becomes your day to day moisturiser.
The 12 Bore Boost Mist is about maintenance throughout the day. It counteracts any redness from the wind and cools. It is also good for refreshing your make up throughout the day and as a hydration boost when needed.
The Overnight Recovery is very much that – an overnight repair and an essential part of the skincare regime. Going forward we will add in additional products such as an eye serum, lip balm and hand cream. We also want to start a really targeted range – so if you have hyper-pigmentation issues for example we will have some skincare products that can help with that. We also don’t want to forget about the men either – so we will in time do a range for them too.
YOUR OFFICIAL LAUNCH IS AT THE GAME FAIR THIS JULY – WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THAT?!
We are delighted to be collaborating with British Designer, Emma Brown Tweed and we will be sharing a double stand on Gunmakers Row. We believe we target and attract the same sort of customer so our brands compliment each other nicely. You’ll be able to try and sample all of our products and you’ll also be able to purchase too – keep an eye out for show offers! We will also have some beautifully presented Discovery Kits which are not to be missed.
WHAT IS YOUR MISSION STATEMENT?
We are nutritional skincare experts who use British ingredients to provide targeted support to those who spend a lot of time in the field.
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