A Guilsfield entrepreneur who turned an interest in soapmaking into a natural skincare products business found success at this year’s Powys Business Awards.

At the 2024 Powys Business Awards ceremony, held on Friday, October 4, in Dering Lines, Brecon, skincareBOOtique Samantha Farr took home a prize for the business she launched in 2021 while still working in the cleaning industry.

She won the Sole Trader Award, sponsored by Mid Wales Manufacturing Group, for her skincare business based in Lower Varchoel Farm in Guilsfield, near Welshpool.

She said: “I am absolutely delighted to win this award, especially when looking at the quality of the other finalists.

 

“It’s an endorsement of what I believe in, and my passion has been recognised. It also provides impetus for pushing the business forward.

“I shall continue to expand my range of products this autumn and into the future and, building on the benefits that customers are finding from good quality, natural skincare at fair and competitive prices, promote growth from marketing and sales opportunities.”

She launched the business in 2021 after learning more about her interest in soapmaking through online courses, creating two soap bases, each with seven variations, which were sold on market stalls and at sales events.

The award judges said: “We were blown away by Samantha’s deep knowledge of the skincare market and use of particular products. She has gone to great lengths in terms of self-development to make the business work.”

The prize adds to the accolades the business has earned in the three years since it began, having won several for its positive environmental stance.

These prizes include the Business in Focus Green Goal Award, Celebration of Newtown 2023 Awards runner-up in the Climate Award category, European-wide ‘Free From’ Skincare 2023 silver award, a 'Free From' Skincare 2024 bronze award and a 2024 Vegan Beauty Award.