White Rabbit Skincare is a cruelty-free, eco-friendly and fully vegan skincare company founded by History and Business Management graduate Melanie Blane. While searching for skincare products suitable for her skin and to help with her psoriasis, she found that many in the industry weren’t local, and many contained artificial fragrances, alcohol, harmful chemicals, and animal products. This is when White Rabbit Skincare was born, and Melanie began producing her own natural-based and ethically-sourced creams in her one-bedroom flat in Glasgow.
It originally started out as just products for me to use, but after friends and family started taking an interest, I approached my local entrepreneurial support organisations and luckily graduated from a University with a strong entrepreneurial support system. All of this support and the network of mentors and advisors lead to me securing initial funding and getting my business from the kitchen table to my very own warehouse. I took the plunge into working solely for White Rabbit December 2016 after being let go from my job, and I’ve never looked back since!
Keen to become the leading plastic-free skincare brand globally, Melanie is conscious of making sure that it’s not just about profits, but about societal and economic impact. Already, Melanie has managed to ensure that 99% of the company’s beauty products are plastic-free and the boxes that it’s products are packaged in are all 100% recycled, and printed with plant-based ink. The company even have 100% recycled paper packaging tape printed with plant-based ink. With a focus on impact, Melanie also uses her success to support charities close to her heart, including the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association (more commonly known as M.E or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), donating £1 for every Rose & Orange Night Cream sold.
You have to be a Jack of All Trades and learn on the job every single day, and it is without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it’s also the best thing. I’m still very much hands on with nearly everything, and we still hand make every single product in house. I could have looked at manufacturing elsewhere, but for me and the brand, it didn’t make sense. It’s all about being local and sustainable, rather than making the profits fast. The brand has grown organically, just like my product! Sometimes its about something much bigger than you and the bottom line.
