A Bude business has been chosen as one of Theo Paphitis Small Business winners and travelled to Birmingham to attend the annual Small Business Awards event on Friday, February 24, where she met Theo and received her award certificate.

Shaloah Skincare, based in Bude, offer natural handmade skincare products that are eco-friendly, sustainable and natural.

Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Awards give recognition to innovative small businesses across the UK, and winners are invited to attend an annual event to come together with other winners for a day of networking, support and advice from business owners and entrepreneurs.

Shaloah Skincare was created when a mother, Shaloam Hodge, was trying to find a solution for her three month old son’s severe eczema condition.

After months of trying shop bought products and prescribed creams that didn’t work for him, she decided to make her own! Armed with a saucepan and a handful of natural ingredients Shaloam began concocting recipes in her kitchen.

Fast-forward nine years and Shaloah Skincare has a whole range of natural skincare products that are regularly featured in glossy magazines and are now winning prestigious awards.

Shaloam said “I can’t believe it! I started this to try and help to bring my son some relief from a painful condition - I never thought I’d be recognised at this level.

“I’m so happy that my products are now helping others too.”

Shaloam has high hopes and ambitious plans for the future of Shaloah Skincare, including taking the business in a more organic, sustainable route by growing some of the ingredients she uses in her products such as calendula, borage and lavender.

“I want my products to be as sustainable as possible to ensure maximum effectiveness with the least impact on the environment, and I can’t think of a better way than to start growing some of the ingredients myself,” says Shaloam.