It’s been 25 years since my husband, Roger, and I founded The Somerset Toiletry Company in 1999. I’m sure if you asked us during the company’s first days, headquartered from our kitchen table in Somerset, if we thought it would last for 25 years, we would have fallen off our chairs.
So much has changed over the course of two and a half decades. My two sons have grown from toddlers to men, who are both now actively involved in the business. Roger is no longer with us, although always in our thoughts. Our kitchen table operation quickly became an office fit for four, then twelve and now we operate out of a converted pub, complete with a warehouse and soap factory.
Little bits of serendipity have occurred along the way. From winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2004 to opening a production facility in South Africa, fittingly called Serendipity, to opening our own Soap Bar Café and Gift Shop to exhibit our products and host the local community.
What is clear to me, as I look back on the journey, is that the key to longevity is having the best people around you. Informed people can make informed decisions and help carry the load that building business can inevitably bring.
With that in mind on this silver anniversary, I wanted to tell our story as written by our team who have been here since the beginning, as without them, The Somerset Toiletry Company would simply not be here. Please enjoy their reflections on twenty-five years of The Somerset Toiletry Company.
There is perhaps no one better to start us off than Carl Lockwood, who was The Somerset Toiletry Company’s first hire back in 1999.
“Wow, where do I start. 25 years is a lot to cram into a few sentences. Before I get to a story, I have to say that my experiences have been like no other. There are not many companies you can work for where you get a broader experience of life and business rolled into one. From trade shows to travel, meeting suppliers and working with such fantastic clients, there are new challenges all the time.
Driving a 7.5-ton truck to Bologna after the first trade show in the UK, will always be a lasting memory.
In 2000, Roger, Sakina and I had been developing a new range of bath and body products, based on a bathroom tile Roger had found in an in-flight magazine travelling back from the United States. I remember his excitement, and he said, “Lofty (as that was my nickname of course) we need to get onto this. I had a great idea and I want to launch this at the Spring Fair in Birmingham”. I can’t remember what time of year this was, but probably the summer of 1999, I think. Not much time!
The tile had a crackle effect across them which gave him the idea of a range of four fruit and floral fragrances. Essentially it had to look quintessential and offer a real English feel.
We then took up developing a new bottle shape and bespoke cap. Label design had to be worked on, and working with an illustrator, ready for a Spring Fair 2000 launch.
As time went on, and the deadline got shorter and shorter, we were fast running out of time to get the bottles tooled, and in with us. Once all in, Sakina was filling bottles on her kitchen table. We were in the office printing out labels and mocking up, so we had enough to display for the show. I think we all stayed up to finish everything off until about 4am, and we were done…almost. Roger suddenly realised that we didn’t have any business cards. “Lofty, how long will it take you to get some printed out and mocked up?” he asked. I designed them right then at 4am.
Exhausted, I went home to get a couple hours’ sleep. I came back to the office before 8am the same morning to spray mount them all, and trim them to go to the show. The buzz around getting everything done with only minutes to spare was very exciting.
For me the greatest reward was to see this new range on display at the Spring Fair. It was something I had not experienced before. I think this memory of getting there, the achievement, the goals we set for ourselves, was what was so exciting, even to this day. The joy of getting the immediate reaction from customers. I had long hoped that all the hard work would pay off and be well received…and it was.”
Carl Lockwood, Studio Manager - 25 Years of Service
We next turn to Terry Healy who has handled the operations of The Somerset Toiletry Company and so much more for twenty-five years (with one year out to lay down).
“During the company’s early days, I fondly remember the weekly meetings with the initial crew in the Hunters Rest Pub AKA “The Boardroom” where there was both an Agenda and a Menu.
The first £50,000 order which was massive target at the time.
The weekly unbelievable noise of loading the feed for the animals into the silos and the animals themselves. A reminder that our office was in fact on a working farm.
The office supply of biscuits in the early days to keep us going. We had more varieties available than in all the major supermarkets combined.
The huge number of products created over the years some more adventurous than others, from Flowerpot Sets, Robe Sets, and hand painted Planter Sets.
The massive growth overall from six people with a few product lines to around seventy people with a significant product offering.
The fact that there are people who have been around a long time with Carl being the longest serving, right from the start.
The business resilience through some extremely tough times that took some skilled, stressful navigating by Roger & Sakina and commitment to cause from the various team members to keep driving forward.
Global interaction with many suppliers and customers over the years.
Meeting Roger at the Movies for an afternoon meeting. Interesting venue!
The most important part is being given the opportunity to participate in the business up to where it is now.”
Terry Healy, Operations Manager - 24 Years of Service
We now turn to Sarah Friendship who joined the business in 2001, working in our warehouse before moving into the Administration Office.
“I’m not a big writer, but I would like to say a big thank you to Roger and Sakina for giving me the opportunity…and letting me stay!”
Sarah Friendship, Export Sales Administrator - 22 Years of Service
Following Sarah, we have Harvey Legg who helped lay the foundation for many of the brands we sell nationwide to this day.
“I have been part of The Somerset Toiletry Company for almost two decades. I joined in 2005, when the company was still young, thinking that I would go back to Advertising after a few years. But I soon fell in love with the creative freedom and the family atmosphere that the company offered.
My job was not just sitting at a desk and designing, but also traveling the world to meet clients, manufacturers, and visit trade shows. Even driving a van with a show stand to European trade shows, setting it up, and showcasing our new products for the next year. I have explored, South Africa for 2 weeks, looking for inspiration and potential suppliers for a future range. I stayed in some weird places and even rode an ostrich, which was both fun and scary.
Design is my passion, and I have been doing it for about 30 years. I still get thrilled by good design, and I still enjoy creating something and seeing it sell. I love walking into a shop and seeing someone buying something that I have worked on. I always feel proud that someone is spending their hard-earned money on something of mine.
I have evolved and adapted with the company over the years, and I am excited about the future adventures it will bring me.”
Harvey Legg, Head of Design - Distribution - 20 Years of Service
Finally, Alex Whitcombe writes her thoughts on eighteen years at the company, having helped grow our private label business.
“Wow how times flies, nearly 18 years at TSTC! Starting off as a production assistant because I was adamant ‘’I wasn’t a salesperson’’, to now managing the company’s Mass Market Private Label accounts, just goes to show with the right support & people around you, you can even become a salesperson! I have loved my time with the company, learning most from our founder, Roger, in the early years, traveling all over the world and experiencing different cultures along the way. It’s been hard work, but I have had a lot of fun!”
Alex Whitcombe, Corporate Sales Manager - 18 Years of Service
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked for The Somerset Toiletry Company, both past and present and contributed their time, talent, and biceps (in the case of those in our warehouse and Ministry of Soap factory) to the cause. It takes a village. Cheers to twenty-five unforgettable years. Here’s to the next chapter of our story.
Best wishes,
Sakina