Business owner talks growing a brand through covid and regulatory changes

A BUSINESS owner is celebrating 10 years of running a family-owned company, despite recent regulatory difficulties.

Lucy Roberts, 49, along with her now-retired father, Dick Goodall, set up Active Silver in Wargrave in March 2016, feeling that there was a gap in the market.

The company is a natural skincare and pet care brand, focusing on the benefits of silver, which has been used throughout history in purification and holistic medicine.

Mrs Roberts said: “After I had my second child, we came up with the idea and by the time I was heavily pregnant with my third child, the website went live.

“I remember typing on the computer while kicking the bouncer with my foot.” During the covid pandemic, the company grew considerably as demand skyrocketed.

She said: “We developed a few more products during that period due to high customer demand — it was nice to be able to help people in some way.”

In an effort to give back during such an uncertain time, Active Silver hand soap was donated, through a customer, to Guys and St Thomas’ maternity ward for NHS staff whose hands were getting sore and cracked due to the constant washing.

The business also donated to NHS Surprise Bags, which were handed out to healthcare workers.

Reflecting on the highs and lows over the past decade, Mrs Roberts said that Debbie McGee, who lives in the village, was instrumental following in its growth following her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2017.

Mrs Roberts said McGee was an “avid supporter of our brand and even opened our new office when we turned five years old”.

The lows have been more recent, with the double struggle of surviving in a struggling retail economy and adapting to new regulatory landscapes.

Mrs Roberts said: “Recent regulatory challenges mean we cannot advertise in the same way. We used to be able to say that a certain product was great for acne but we are no longer allowed to use the word ‘acne’.”

The business’ laboratory and office are based at Sheeplands Farm but they occasionally open their doors to customers who may be curious about the production process.

Mrs Roberts was born and raised in Wargrave and decided to also raise her own children there.

She said: “We try to support the area like it supports us — we do Christmas stalls in the town and this year we’re among the sponsors for the Wargrave Festival.”

Mrs Roberts said that her team of five, all of whom are “local, working mothers” are at the heart of the business’ success in building a group of loyal customers.