On The Cover Breast Cancer Changed Our Lives
Breast cancer didn’t stop these ladies starting their own businesses…
I was fortunate my cancer was caught early. I worked for a global technology corporation and every year they’d give executives a health check. In tthe spring of 2016, a mammogram picked up breast cancer. I was shocked. After five months of treatment, my priorities changed. Cancer taught me ttime runs out. I wanted to see more of my husband,
Philip, and our children, Eddie and Emily. I resigned and we moved to a cottage with the vision that it would be cosy one day. I’d studied chemistry at university and was fascinated by the effect of compounds on the body. Cancer gave me the time and space to reignite that interest. I started thinking about the ingredients in the products we put on our hair and skin. So many shampoos, conditioners and body lotions were made with cheap ingredients that didn’t do the body any good.
I wanted to make products in a different way, using natural, effective ingredients. The kitchen was the first room we renovated in our new home and it was there that the Cosy Cottage Soap Company came to life.
Production soon grew and now happens in a converted barn in Malton. We make soaps, shampoo bars, balms, creams and deodorant. Our products work in harmony with the body rather than forcing it into submission.
Philip is now in charge of the soap, Eddie is our graphic designer and Emily runs accounts and payroll. There’s no doubt that cancer is a negative experience, but it helped me see what I should prioritise for the rest of my time here. Instead of feeding the corporate machine I’m putting something into the world which might make life a little bit better for our customers.
◆ Visit COSYCOTTAGESOAP.CO.UK
‘CANCER HELPED ME REEVALUATE MY LIFE’
When my mum was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in January 2010, I felt floored. I vowed to do everything I could to help her not only beat cancer, but thrive.
An event manager, I started working with the charity Breast Cancer Now, who fund world-class research. I visited research units and was fascinated to see what was being discovered.
The Research Director had an interest in the potential of antioxidants and their effect on preventing and treating cancer. Thanks to him I found out about the antioxidant EGCg which is found in green tea. If Mum was going to drink any green tea, it had to be the best so she and I started drinking organic matcha green tea and both felt great.
Mum was taking back some control that cancer inevitably robbed from her and I was doing something positive to help.
I felt passionate about spreading the word about this extraordinary green powder and so, five years after Mum’s diagnosis, I launched OMGTea – Organic Matcha Green Tea.
The business has grown rapidly since we started selling on Amazon three years ago.
We now sell across Europe and we’re looking at Canada and Australia next.
Thankfully, Mum’s had the all-clear but we both continue to drink Matcha tea every day.
I don’t claim that antioxidant tea cures cancer, but scientific research suggests it might help protect cells against the free radicals that cause cancer.
I receive lovely emails from customers and feel so proud to know we do so much more than sell tea. We are building a community of positivity.
◆ Visit OMGTEAS.CO.UK
‘LIFE LED ME DOWN AN UNEXPECTED PATH’