How East Lothian Business Gateway helped Me-Time Therapies

I am featured in the latest East Lothian Business Buzz magazine – P15/16 –
https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/28228/east_lothian_business_buzz_newsletter_-_spring_2019

Here is the extract from the East Lothian Business Buzz magazine – “A workshop on using social media for business led an established East Lothian business in an unexpected direction – with brilliant results! By attending a Business Gateway Facebook for Business workshop in September 2016, Geraldine McCullagh of Me-Time Therapies can now look back and see that this was the first stepping stone into diversifying her established therapy business. Geraldine had wrongly assumed that Business Gateway workshops were only open to and relevant to new businesses. But attending one workshop opened her eyes and she went on to take part in further workshops on social media and marketing – all relevant to her therapy business. As well as workshops, Geraldine successfully applied for a Digital Health Check and went on to receive support to build a new website. With the confidence Geraldine gained in creating her own website, she decided to create a product – Make your own Body Butter & Lip Balm kit. With a prototype created, she attended her first Biz East Lothian Coffee Morning where she was introduced to Stephen Newlin, East Lothian Business Advisor.
https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/e ast-lothian/local-support

Meeting at the Business Gateway office at Queen Margaret University, Stephen recommended Geraldine put in an application for Branding and Marketing Consultancy with the ERDF business support programme. This proved to be a major stepping stone into launching the Make Your Own Body Butter & Lip Balm Kit in October 2017.

The consultancy helped Geraldine create a new logo for Me-Time Therapies as well as a new design for the sleeve of the kit.

From the inception of the idea of creating the kit, Geraldine knew it belonged on Amazon and after some setbacks and frustrations, the kit was accepted by Amazon UK, two weeks before Christmas.

To her surprise, she had some sales which spurred her on. At the beginning of 2018, armed now with her new logo and beginning to understand how to sell products on Amazon Prime, Geraldine created three more handmade aromatherapy skincare products – Relaxing Massage Balm, Invigorating Massage Balm and a Vegan Body Butter. Throughout 2018, Geraldine established Me-Time Therapies products on Amazon and gained five-star reviews and repeat customers. Sales in December exceeded her expectations as all the products where popular as Christmas gifts.”

Geraldine said: “I am very grateful for all the assistance and encouragement that I’ve received from East Lothian Business Gateway. Now, having a successful product range, I feel it gives me a strong platform to continue running my own business in East Lothian. I’m also just about getting used to being called an entrepreneur’!”

Joanne Thompson

I’ve tried the new Comforting Massage balm for over a month now and it’s certainly easing my aches and pains. Took a few days to start seeing a difference but my osteoarthritis in my hands isn’t as painful and neither is my lower back. Think I’m just going to put it on my knees now too. It’s great that it doesn’t smell either so people don’t ask you if you are using deep heat as soon as you walk through the door. Worth the investment.

S B

I’ve tried Me-Time Therapies balms before and love the products so I was excited to try the new comforting balm. I was not disappointed. I’ve suffered from knee pain and joint pain in my hands for some time now but since using the comforting balm, my pain has considerably improved. I have found the results to be quite amazing and it feels lovely in your skin which is an added bonus. I’m closely keeping my eyes open for any new product from this company!

Elspeth Walker

Me-time therapy balms are incredible. There is a new balm out called Comforting Balm. It’s a miracle balm. It soothes all types of pain and especially arthritis complaints. As a therapist (25yrs) my hands get very sore. Not now! Thank you Me-Time Therapies

Niamh Clancy

I purchased the self-care kit as an activity to do with my flat mates to unwind after a stressful week of lectures and studying for exams. The products were a great size and perfect for a group activity on a Friday evening ! The clay face masks were so relaxing and the hand reflexology videos were so informative and de-stressing, to accompany the beautifully smelling body butter. The pamper evening finished off with a lovely refreshing mist of orange blossom water. The kit was a great purchase and there is plenty left over to do another pamper night ! Perfect for a well needed self care night.

Grace Budge

I love this balm, the scent provides an ambience conducive to relaxing.and it has a silky non greasy texture that leave my feet nourished and the skin is smooth and soft.

jacqueline McGrath

I have been looking for a product that will help with rosacea and discovered this product- I could feel the face clay working it’s magic and can see and feel the difference in my skins condition. Added benefit was the vegan body butter. This is really good on dry skin- especially around heels…. The packaging is lovely- and really good instructions. I thoroughly enjoyed the hand reflexology and learned a lot from that. The blossom face spray has a lovely scent. I also thought the cloth that was included was a very high quality product . So overall- I am very impressed with the quality of product and packaging and am looking forward to trying out more products from this range.

Lisa McCormick

I have been using the relaxing massage balm for use during Indian head massage on my clients and they all comment on how nice it smells, I love how well it goes on and would definitely recommend it for this use. It’s also great for control on how much you use

Judith Dunn

I really appreciate the Muscle Relaxing Massage Balm. I’ve been using it for a few months now whilst recovering from some serious injuries caused by an accident. The feel of rubbing it in is so therapeutic, and with its gorgeous texture and aroma it is lovely to use, hugely soothing and calming. I am certain this product has been key to getting my body working again, so thank you Geraldine for your wonderful product.

Vijay Chumber

Brilliant products used in my clinic, ethical, natural and super smooth on the skin. The scent is lush and leaves an everlasting impression. Great value all round with service, quality and sustainability in mind. Excellent overall! Craven Physio Clinic

Fiona Robertson

I bought four Me-Time Self-Care Kits recently as gifts for friends - two who were under a great deal of stress with work and family issues, one who is under-going treatment for cancer and one who is struggling through a difficult menopause. Apart from the products, which are entirely natural and smell wonderful, my main motivation for buying these was the very original link to the reflexology and meditation videos. I have never seen this with any other gift product and, given their individual circumstances, I knew that my friends would appreciate them - and they certainly did! One friend was keen to try meditation, but had no idea how to start and this was the ideal introduction. The others said that it was a wonderful boost to morale in difficult times and, combined with the lovely products, was the perfect excuse to carve out some essential, therapeutic me-time. This little kit is very aptly named and is a very thoughtful gift for anyone in need of some time to themselves and a spot of mindful pampering. I'll definitely be buying more in future - including one for myself!

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