My rash move is the right one
Business owner Paul tells how he was spurred on by his sons to create organic cream to tackle eczema
PAUL McGregor’s two sons suffered from infant eczema as children and, frustrated by creams available at the time, he set about creating his own.
After 10 years of research, the airline cabin crew member launched his own cream for dry skin last August.
Here, Paul, 49, from Glasgow, tells us about his working day as owner of HydraNure.
Can you tell us about HydraNure and the inspiration behind the business?
My sons both had infant eczema and we had to use thick, chemical emollients that just didn’t work.
They were very thick, difficult to absorb, and they make a mess of carpets, bed-sheets, and pyjamas.
My boys are 18 and 15 now and what was in place then is still in place now. So I looked for a better way.
I’ve been working with a guy in Aberdeen for 10 years to find an organic alternative that’s natural and also more effective than what’s already out there.
We ended up with five plant-based ingredients that are known for healing skin, plus we added vitamin E and a natural preservative that comes from olive oil.
What’s the business’s journey been like so far?
We launched at the end of August last year, online and on Amazon.
We have managed to grow sales throughout the UK and Ireland, and the product is also available in America, Hong Kong, Dubai, Canada, and South Africa.
The reaction so far has been incredible. It’s joyous, actually, knowing the relief our customers have had just by applying the cream – the changes they have seen has been fantastic.
It was designed initially for dry skin and baby eczema but the cream works on most adult eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, as well as those who just have dry skin.
It’s for anyone and everyone, regardless of your age, skin colour or type. We’ve currently got three-monthold children using the cream right through to pensioners using it for psoriasis.
What’s a typical day like?
It’s usually manic and it’s usually long.
Sometimes, the working day stretches into the early evenings and occasionally during the night. Coming from a customer service background, I like to get in touch with people immediately.
I like to keep all lines of communication open so we are only a text, email, phone call or a What’sApp away.
I’m still flying around the world as well for an airline as cabin crew, which does have its bonuses.
For example, I use a designer in Hong Kong and I’ve met him for a coffee when I’ve been over there. It does come in handy at times.
Favourite part of the job?
Helping people. It’s the most incredible feeling. We constantly get sent before and after photographs of what customers’ skin was like previously to what it is now.
It’s the greatest feeling in the world, to be honest with you. When you get a note from someone to say thank you for giving them their child back, it’s something else.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking of starting their own business?
The best bit of advice I could give to anyone is to have a business plan.
Write it yourself, don’t get anyone else to do it, because you really need to understand the nuts and bolts of your business.
Future plans?
I’m trying to put forward a business case to the Scottish Government to have our cream available on prescription. The criteria just now is to use thick, chemical emollients and, when they don’t work, to use steroid cream.
If we can get our cream to the user first and foremost, before the skin gets broken, there wouldn’t be any need for them so it would be cheaper for the Scottish Government.
I would also love our cream to be in pharmacies and supermarkets. Find out more at www. hydranure.com