WHO ARE? LIZZIE KING & LIZ MCCARTHY
PEOPLE
FOUNDERS OF LIZZIE LOVES NATURAL REMEDIES
Tell us one thing that people don’t know about you. I spent a few of years in my 20s, whilst working in film, volunteering as an OSCE election observer going to newly democratised countries, often post-conflict, like Bosnia, Uganda, Georgia and Montenegro to monitor their elections. Fascinating, thrilling and always an incredible insight into a country and its population living in rural areas and amongst the villages.
How did you meet? Liz was running a clean beauty company and I fell in love with her products and how she did things, we kept talking about future ideas… Tell us how Lizzie Loves Natural Remedies was born. The recipes were created as I researched natural ways of dealing with common, and often debilitating issues as I came across them: back to school sniffles, times of tough sleep and sick bugs. I couldn’t find what I wanted so I made them and shared the recipes, and the response was insane. Since then I realised there were so many more people out there who needed an easier, more portable way of creating them at home, so the formulations to stir into a drink were born. What have you made of the feedback? The messages have poured in, and I’ll never tire of reading them. It’s made me cry a couple of times – from mothers at their wits end from lack of sleep, (god I remember that fog) who’ve “tried everything” telling us their children have slept through for the first time with Be Sleepy, to emetophobics (fear of vomit) saying Be Settled has changed their life. And someone whose uncle with Alzheimer’s, who’d caused the family so much anxiety over lockdown with his fretful, wandering nights, is now resting and sleeping all night. Then winning awards I only read about before (Beauty Shortlist) and appearing in Grazia have been the pinch-me moments. How has 2020 been for you? Big highs, like launching our beloved products alongside the wild and woolly terrain of Covid, and the massive pressure points of home-schooling three children whilst running a business, and all five of us living together in lockdown in a small London house. Coronocoaster I think is the only way to describe it.
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What would you take to a desert island? Maldon salt, Firetree Chocolate and all the Vintner’s Daughter skincare.
How do you feel about lockdown now? We did it, and I couldn’t have imagined it possible, for nearly five months, if anyone had said what were in for in March. No one learnt Mandarin or wrote a novel, but we survived, we ate incredibly well – with lots of kits and at-homes as well as more time cooking up with fabulous veg deliveries etc. And we did things we never would have – like making post-work afternoon dashes to Wind in the Willows land for river swims and picnics. And new-found love and gratitude for neighbours we are going through it all with. Last book you read? Untamed by Glennon Doyle – indefatigable and sensational, a rocket launcher of a book. Where’s your favourite child-friendly place in London? Kew Gardens, a tonic for our urban lives - summer frolics, tree-top walks, the butterflies, and then one of the children’s very favourite thing – the magical Christmas lights and music show which gets better every year. And to eat – Sunday brunch at The Wolseley which is now a six year-old birthday tradition for everyone.
Signature dish? It always changes, at the moment a Persian-inspired chicken traybake with some summer vegetables, so rewarding for time in vs beauty and flavour out – find an example here: www.lizzie-loves.com/blogs/ blog/summer-chicken-traybake. It has been a constant on our weekly menu since then. Your proudest moment? Having my book published was a big one – childhood dream fulfilled. And launching a business in lockdown whilst home-schooling three kids. Now the products have smashed sales targets, been snapped up by dream retailers like Daylesford, won awards, and are making a difference to people’s lives, it’s been everything. What’s next for Lizzie Loves Natural Remedies? We’ve got exciting things coming up with new partners, new products, as well as different formats as we’ve heard what people want more of. We’re not standing still and as a small business we take on board what our customers want and keep heading in that direction. We love working on a business that makes a difference and helps people stay well and live life to the max, so we are always working to improve what we offer and who knows about it. Keep smiling and stay well.
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