Elaine Bermitz discovers how businesswoman Rivka Rose founded her award-winning Manchester-based company Faith in Nature.
Rivka Rose founded Faith in Nature skin care products in the early 1970s when her particular brand of organic, ethically-produced creams, were a distant, expensive dream for those who really cared about what they were applying to their skin. 40 years on Rivka runs her company, on its original ethical lines, turning over £3million and she is the recipient of many industry awards. Since she won North West Female Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011 companies have been coming to her with ideas for product development.
How was the concept born?
In 1972 I was living by the Solway Firth and couldn’t find any face creams which suited my skin. I began to experiment with oils and emulsifiers in my own kitchen and made my first batches of cream with a second-hand food mixer.
I had background knowledge of plants and herbs, and I grew my own as I knew certain ones had specific healing or soothing qualities. Then I put them in pots, a friend made some labels and I took them to independent health food shops all over the country. I had two things really – energy, I come from New York and the absolute certainty that I could succeed. I knew other people would want what I wanted – entirely natural, well priced creams whose every ingredient was pure.
What makes Faith in Nature stand out in the market?
It’s our values most of all. After 40 years people trust us because we share the same vision as I did when I started the company.
The second product I made was a seaweed shampoo, because seaweed is a natural cleanser and again I could be sure of my ingredients. People write to me all the time telling me that my shampoo is the only product that doesn’t make their scalp itchy or strip the oils from their hair. Now we have 200 different lines, but they are all tested, produced and externally checked to the highest standards, so our customers are confident.
We don’t seek out expensive accreditations so that means our products are reasonably priced. We use Fair Trade, organic and no animal tested ingredients. It’s our consistency that makes Faith in Nature stand out.
How has the company grown in 40 years?
On the sales side I knocked on doors, not just in London but I would target an area methodically visiting all the health food shops presenting my brand and its values. I had no marketing strategy I just wanted to get them on the shelves and in a wide spread of areas as I knew they were worth buying.
On the production side I moved from home to a pair of shops, which I bought ridiculously cheaply in a smart part of Edinburgh, one of which was my first factory and the other next door where I sold my growing range of products. From there I moved to Manchester, where we now live, to our premises in the Bury area and finally to Radcliffe buying more space each time. We have room to expand five-fold on this site which is important for the future.
How important is Manchester as a commercial location for you?
It is great. It’s my home and a wonderful distribution point for my business. Friendly and, if I understand the government correctly, the place to be for entrepreneurs of the future.
What has been your greatest challenge over the years?
It has to be balancing my work and my family life. Business is always a challenge, but here we see every obstacle as something to be overcome. We have a truly great team, we don’t panic and we all make time for each other, but if you want to have a truly vibrant home life, as I do, you have to make compromises every day.
What’s next for Faith in Nature?
We want to build on these achievements, without compromising our ideals and to grow the export market. Since the awards, people have come to us with ideas and our venture with ‘Humphreys House’ – producing a baby products range to complement the book – is already being taken by Ocado and Boots. I started with strong principles and I want to continue benefiting my customers.
For more information, visit Faithinnature.co.uk.
Awards
2015
– Winner in the SME Exporter of the Year category at the North West Business Masters Awards
– Green Sustainable Company runner up at the North West Insider Made in the North West Awards
2014
– Bury Woman of the Year – Entrepreneur Award
– ‘Free From’ Skincare Awards – Faith in Nature Coconut Shampoo Gold Award
– UK Packaging Awards 2014 winners – Label of the Year
