Dook is my soap company which I run from a shed in my back garden in Edinburgh. Dook is an old Scots word meaning ‘to dip, bathe or plunge.’
I’m lucky enough to live and work by the sea in Portobello - Edinburgh’s beach. So, the name references the place the soaps are made and also the salt in the soap which creates our unique lather.
Quick fire questions!
Who /what is your inspiration? I love being in nature and looking at natural patterns, lots of these have been translated into my soap designs.
How did you get to where you are today? When my children were very little, I found that working as a teacher was not as compatible with family life as I had hoped. I enjoy making soap and so in Christmas 2018, I thought I'd have a go at getting all the paperwork needed to sell some soap at local Christmas market. It has just grown from there!
What task do you prefer to delegate? Wrapping dook soaps is very time-consuming. It's great to have help with that.
If we asked you to pick your favourite product, what would it be and why?
My Rosemary and Frankincense soap was the first product I made and it's still one of my favourites. It's scent is so unique and the method I use to make them means that each comes out slightly different. Like ripples of different coloured sand on the sea shore.
What is the most exciting thing that has happened since you began your journey with Dook? I was recently approached to make an online soap making course. Suddenly my kitchen was converted into a film studio! The course will be ready very soon and available to buy as gifts for Christmas.
Which famous person would you love to buy your products and why?
Anyone who's keen to reduce the amount of plastic in their bathroom! I'd love to know what Sali Hughes (Beauty editor at the Guardian) would think of dook soap.
Do you prefer sketchbook or laptop? Sketchbook
Which is you favourite process - Design or Make? I love both.
What do you use everyday that you wish you had designed? I love the OBA studio's soap dishes that I sell. They are brilliantly and beautifully designed.
What constitutes your perfect day off? I love living in Scotland. There are so many beautiful places to visit locally and you can get to some gorgeous hills in a day trip.
Do you have a favourite small brand you are loving at the moment? I really love the beauty brand Lani. Their products are first rate!
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Running my own business is already my third career! I've previously worked in the charity sector working on projects connected with refugees and human rights, and I'm a trained primary school teacher.
Do you have a studio playlist? I love podcasts, from Adam Buxton, to This American Life & Scene on Radio... I recommend a podcast in each of my Newsletters.
Tea or coffee in the studio? I'm from yorkshire - it has to be tea!
What can we expect in the future? I have plenty of ideas for new products and collaborations. But most of all I'm going to make sure that I'm still enjoying this crazy journey.
A huge thank you to Helen for taking the time to answer our questions x
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