Wealden Times | WT166 | December 2015 | Interiors supplement inside

Introducing...
BLEND
Collective
Clive Walker & Pippa Bennett turned their
fascination with blending essential oils into an
award-winning cosmetics business focused upon
creating a luxury yet truly natural product.
What’s the significance of your company
name, ‘Blend Collective’? The name was inspired
by our fascination and commitment to the art of blending
pure essential oils, a talent that relatively few people possess.
Rather like the appreciation of gourmet foods or fine wine,
the subject of fragrance is far reaching and evocative.
What inspired you both to start your business?
Clive had always wanted to work for himself, and Pippa had
previously had her own businesses since 1998. We wanted to
create a brand from scratch and needed the absolute freedom
to do this. The thrill of starting something from scratch is most
satisfying as is being the complete masters of our own destiny!
Have you always been creative people? Yes, both of
us have had jobs that allowed our creative sides to be nurtured,
and behind closed doors we are to be found engaged in hobbies
that range from re-building old cars to landscaping our gardens.
What influences your product aesthetic? We
wanted to be different - our desire was to appeal to a chic
modern individual, irrespective of age or gender. We wanted
our ‘customer’ to appreciate the finer things in life and to have
an eye for detail and design.
What is the essence of the
business? To provide a truly
natural, luxury product that we can
feel 110% confident in. To us, the
superior quality of the pure essential
oils used and our constant desire
to make our brand completely
natural are our driving factors.
How did you go about
choosing and sourcing your product range?
We studied the already crowded marketplace and selected
products that complemented one another, whilst still allowing
the customer enough choice. With each of our three signature
fragrances, the products were developed specifically to play
to the strengths of the essential oil blends. So, for example, a
morning shower is where you need your senses to be awoken
and for your skin to feel fresh and clean - this is achieved by
our Enlivening blend which features Sicilian lemon and limes.
What’s your favourite product from your
collection? We both like all the products and for different
reasons - you can’t help having
some favourites though!
The Enlivening Hand Wash
is a personal favourite of
Pippa whilst Clive’s favourite
is the 100% Organic
Balancing Soap Bar with
its exquisite Mediterranean
bouquet. The overall top
favourite probably goes to
the Unwinding Sandalwood
and Frankincense Hand
Cream. Many customers have said it is without a doubt
the best hand cream they have ever used. It is that kind
of genuine feedback that makes it all worthwhile!
Do you enjoy working for yourselves? Yes,
when things are going well there is nothing quite like the
feeling of achievement you get when working for yourself.
With no company politics to worry about you can do
what you want, when you want, how you want, within
reason - the reality is you end up working every hour that
God sends. Most people will work harder for themselves
than for others and hopefully enjoy every moment!
What makes all the hard work worth it? Th e
amazing feeling of personal satisfaction when you look through a
shop window and see ‘your’ products on the shelf alongside some
of the oldest and most well established cosmetics brands in the
world. Also, the buzz when one of your products is picked from
amongst many, by an expert, to be the winner of a coveted prize!
Clockwise from above, Unwinding Hand
Cream, £15; Assorted Products from Balancing
Range, from £12; Enlivening Gift Pack, £38
www.wealdenfairs.com/blendcollective