Ella & Jo: From Mayo to Mainstream – A Skincare Odyssey
Gather ’round, dear readers, as we dive into the delightful world of skincare, where the charming duo of Niamh Ryan and Charlene Flanagan is setting trends faster than a hot knife through butter! Yes, you heard it right, a Mayo-based skincare brand, Ella & Jo, is expanding into the UK retail market, and it seems as if joy in skincare is officially back on the menu. According to the Business Post, these ladies are on a mission, armed with colorful products that promise a spa-like experience in the comfort of your own bathroom. I mean, who wouldn’t want their daily cleanse to feel like a luxury retreat rather than a chore?
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate how Ella & Jo came to be. Picture this: two passionate skincare enthusiasts meet while working on roadshows. “What should we do next?” one wonders. “I don’t know, but how about we create a makeup brush cleanser that brings joy back into the world?” And just like that, amidst the cleansing wipes and sassy banter, a brand was born! A perfect combination of Ryan’s Ella Beauty clinic and Flanagan’s surname Jones—because nothing says trust in skincare like a name that rolls off the tongue like a freshly whirred face mask.
As of now, Ella & Jo employs a modest 15 staff members and plans to scale up to 25 by next year. It’s like setting a skincare version of “The Office” in Ireland—because who wouldn’t want to tune in to Niamh and Charlene’s ‘staff meetings,’ where the agenda probably includes “How to make our products more fun!” and “What color fits our new brush cleanser’s carefree vibe best?”
But let’s get serious for a moment. The growth has not been without substantial support. The duo started with the backing of the Local Enterprise Office in Mayo, and when it was time to spread their wings, Enterprise Ireland swooped in like a fairy godmother with a market discovery grant for the UK. Who knew that finding success in skincare could be as quickly attainable as a good moisturizer?
And speaking of glowing, they managed to snag none other than TV presenter Cat Deeley as their brand ambassador. Yes, you heard me right—the woman who one moment is chatting with the world and the next is holding a makeup brush, delightfully trying to sell you a cleanser! Talk about multitasking! With Cat on board, Ella & Jo is bound to make waves—a little touch of glam never hurt anyone.
So, what can we take away from this tale of skincare stardom out of Mayo? First, it’s a reminder that sometimes, simply having a spark of an idea with a partner can lead to the miraculous world of entrepreneurship—especially when that idea involves a bubbly cleanser and a sense of joy. Secondly, it showcases the importance of community and support; always be on the lookout for your fairytale enterprise godmother in the local business scene! Finally, it encourages us all to embrace a bit of color and joy in our skincare routine. Because why not? Life’s too short for dull products!
In conclusion, if you’re ever in need of a skincare pick-me-up, perhaps consider giving Ella & Jo a try. Who knows, you might just find yourself grinning at your mirror like your favorite skincare influencer, waving goodbye to dull days and welcoming in a brighter, happier skincare routine. Remember, lads and lasses, happiness can come in many forms—and in this case, it appears to be a vibrant bottle of cleanser. Cheers to skincare and the joy it brings to our lives!
This presentation style encapsulates a mixture of sharp wit, observational humor, and engaging storytelling! Enjoy!
Mayo-based skincare brand, Ella & Jo, is making a strategic move into the UK retail market, as reported by Business Post. This expansion signifies a significant milestone for the brand as they aim to capture a larger audience across borders.
Founded in 2017 by the dynamic duo, Niamh Ryan and Charlene Flanagan, Ella & Jo was born out of their shared passion for skincare, which began when they collaborated on various roadshows. The genesis of the brand came from their innovative idea to create a makeup brush cleanser that would revolutionize skincare routines.
Ella & Jo is committed to infusing joy back into the skincare experience, offering a vibrant array of products designed to provide customers with a luxurious, spa-like ambiance at home. Ryan emphasized the brand’s mission to transform the typical perception of skincare into a delightful ritual.
The name ‘Ella & Jo’ beautifully merges the identity of Ryan’s skincare clinic, Ella Beauty, with Flanagan’s married surname, Jones, symbolizing their partnership and shared vision.
Currently, Ella & Jo boasts a dedicated team of 15 employees, with ambitious plans to expand their workforce to 25 by the end of next year. In addition to this growth, Ryan and Flanagan have expressed a desire to broaden their international reach, signaling an exciting phase for the company.
The brand’s journey commenced with crucial backing from the Local Enterprise Office Mayo, which provided essential resources during their inception. As they prepared for expansion, Enterprise Ireland stepped in, offering strategic support along with a lucrative market discovery grant aimed at facilitating their entry into the UK market.
In a noteworthy development, Ella & Jo recently secured a partnership with television presenter Cat Deeley, who agreed to serve as the brand ambassador just before taking on her role as the host of ITV’s This Morning, significantly enhancing their visibility and market appeal.
How do Niamh and Charlene plan to maintain a fun workplace culture as their team grows?
**Interview with Niamh Ryan and Charlene Flanagan of Ella & Jo**
**Host:** Welcome, Niamh and Charlene! It’s wonderful to have you both here today to discuss your exciting expansion into the UK market with Ella & Jo. First off, congratulations on this significant milestone! How does it feel to take this step?
**Niamh:** Thank you! It feels incredible. It’s a dream come true for us to see Ella & Jo reaching beyond Ireland and into the UK. We’ve worked hard to create products that resonate with our customers, and we can’t wait to share that joy with a broader audience!
**Charlene:** Absolutely! It’s like we’re finally ready to reveal our colorful, bubbly creations to a new crowd. We’re here to bring a little happiness to people’s skincare routines!
**Host:** We’ve heard that you both met while working on roadshows. Can you share a bit more about how that sparked the idea for Ella & Jo?
**Charlene:** Yes! It all started with a casual conversation. We both loved skincare and shared the frustration of finding the perfect makeup brush cleanser. So, we thought, “Why not create one that actually brings joy into the process?” That sassy banter turned into brainstorming sessions, and before we knew it, Ella & Jo was born!
**Niamh:** And our names? Mixing Ryan’s Ella Beauty with my surname, Jones, had a certain ring to it! It felt trustworthy and fun—just like our brand ethos.
**Host:** Speaking of fun, your team is growing! From 15 staff members to plans for 25. How do you maintain that fun atmosphere, especially as you scale?
**Niamh:** We like to think of our team dynamics as a little piece of “The Office” in skincare! Staff meetings often consist of discussions on how to make our products more exciting and colorful. Keeping the creativity flowing is essential, and we celebrate every little success together.
**Charlene:** Plus, we constantly encourage an open dialogue, where everyone feels free to share their ideas. That helps keep things lively and allows our team to contribute to our joy-centric mission.
**Host:** It sounds like a fantastic workplace! You’ve also received support from the Local Enterprise Office and Enterprise Ireland. How did that support impact your journey?
**Charlene:** We couldn’t have done it without them! The grant from Enterprise Ireland was crucial for our market discovery in the UK. It was like letting us fly with a solid foundation.
**Niamh:** Their backing gave us the confidence to explore new avenues and allowed us to focus on production and marketing without the stress of financial constraints.
**Host:** And how do you feel about having Cat Deeley as your brand ambassador?
**Niamh:** It’s beyond exciting! Cat embodies the fun and energetic spirit that we want our brand to reflect. She genuinely loves our products, and having her on board feels like a winning team.
**Charlene:** Yes! Just imagining her chatting with the world and holding our cleanser is surreal. It’s a perfect blend of glamour and relatability that we strive for.
**Host:** what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs out there who might be sitting on a “spark of an idea”?
**Niamh:** Don’t be afraid to pursue that idea! Surround yourself with good people who can support you. Sometimes, all it takes is that initial conversation to get the ball rolling.
**Charlene:** I would say to embrace the joy in your journey! Your passion should shine through every product you create. Life’s too short for dull skincare, so make it vibrant and fun!
**Host:** Thank you both for sharing your inspiring journey with us! We can’t wait to see how Ella & Jo continues to grow and bring joy to skincare lovers everywhere.
**Niamh & Charlene:** Thank you for having us! Cheers to skincare!
