What’s on : Cafe-scientifique

“Starting up a Bio-based small business in Yorkshire” Postponed to 15th November 2022

Cafe-scientifique
Date
15 Nov 2022
Start time
7:00 PM
Venue
Speaker
Clara Challoner Walker
"Starting up a Bio-based small business in Yorkshire" Postponed to 15th November 2022

Event Information

Clara Challoner Walker, CEO The Cosy Cottage Soap Company

Clara Challoner Walker, a graduate chemist and associate of the Royal College of Science started The Cosy Cottage Soap Company in 2015. Clara will share how, using her knowledge of chemistry and cell biology, she created a range of personal care products which avoided the use of environmentally damaging ingredients alongside potentially harmful chemicals including parabens, SLS, and synthetic limonoids. She will also talk to us about how, with the help of Biovale, she established her first manufacturing operation in 2016, in premises at the University of York Science Park and how she has grown the company into a thriving business, now based in two manufacturing units in Malton, North Yorkshire and a retail store which opened in Autumn 2020.

We are meeting in a new venue in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall.   Doors open 7pm.  Talk and Q and A 7.15pm to 8.15pm

Member’s report:

Using her knowledge as a qualified chemist and as an associate of the Royal College of Science,

Clara explained how she started her business, Cosy Cottage, from her kitchen table developing a range of naturally derived, additive-free, soaps and skincare products.  She explained that most soap products contain water which means that preservatives must be added during their manufacture.  Clara took us through her research which led to her using only natural, sustainable ingredients which where possible are sourced from local suppliers.

Clara explained that starting with a £100 she aimed to grow the business ethically to a million pounds in five years.  Her international work for IBM helped with skills such as marketing, pricing and organising social media campaigns.  In 2017 Clara was offered a place on week-long course for entrepreneurs run by Biovale, part of BioYork, a University of York led imitative which is still offering support with networking and other opportunities.

Outgrowing the kitchen table Clara set up a shop and manufacturing space in Malton where she also runs popular soap making workshops and offers soap making kits to use at home. A priority is to source ingredients from local business such as spent coffee grounds from a local café for use in a range of bath scrubs. A new partnership with SeaGrown has led to the use of seaweed in bath products and biodegradable alternatives to plastics. Clara also works with local charities offering opportunities within the business for local people to learn skills and enjoy working partnerships.

Products can now be found in the York National Trust shop and there are plans to upscale both manufacturing and sales whilst at the same time retaining the ethos and quality of their products.

Catherine Brophy