East Lothian skincare businesses collaborate to deliver wellness experiences

About the business

Caryn Fower Advanced Skin Therapy, led by experienced skin therapist Caryn Fower, delivers personalised, results-driven treatments tailored to each client. Her approach, grounded in clinical expertise and holistic care, has recently evolved through a new collaboration with fellow East Lothian business Raven Botanicals - creators of all-natural, ethically produced skincare formulations.

Raven Botanicals was set up by sisters Arabella and Charlotte Harvey to create a unique range of natural, sustainable skincare products to care for and nourish the skin at every stage in life.

Caryn is now using and promoting Raven Botanicals’ natural formulations as part of her treatments, offering clients a blend of professional skin therapy and ethically produced skincare products. She’s developing a Raven signature facial and offers the products for clients to take home as well.

Caryn has now expanded into new premises and is bringing together fellow sole traders in the spare treatment room to offer extended services to her growing client base. She also uses this as a way to promote small businesses.

Both businesses were finalists in the recent Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, which recognises the achievements of those who have demonstrated excellence in their field.

How Business Gateway has helped

The collaboration was sparked through their work with Business Gateway. The team recognised the shared values of the two businesses, with both founders committed to offering thoughtful, ethical services that support overall wellbeing.

Caryn reached out to Business Gateway for support when she first started her business. She received one-to-one advice on start-up planning, financial projections and successfully secured a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) New Business Support Grant from East Lothian Council, which helped cover essential set-up costs including her treatment licence, website domain and accounting software.

Caryn also regularly attends Business Gateway workshops and networking events to continue developing her business skills.

Arabella and Charlotte also reached out to Business Gateway when they started their business and worked initially with a start-up adviser. They are now working with a growth officer and have had support in international trading from both Business Gateway and Scottish Enterprise as well as a UKSPF Business Growth and Innovation Grant, E-commerce and Expert Help from East Lothian Council.

Caryn Fower, founder of Caryn Fower Advanced Skin Therapy said: “Business Gateway helped me from the start, giving me practical advice, reassurance and the right introductions at the right time. Their support has been a big part of my journey to this point.

“Working with Raven Botanicals has been such a natural next step for my business. Our values around skincare and wellbeing are so well aligned, and the feedback from clients has been amazing. We wouldn’t have been brought together without Business Gateway, so we have them to thank for this partnership.”