Young entrepreneurs: Rose Dyson, Pura Cosmetics

Name: Rose Dyson
Company: Pura Cosmetics LLP
Age: 18
Website: puracosmetics.co.uk

Born and bred in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, student Rose Dyson started her cruelty-free, vegan lip care business, Pura Cosmetics, aged just 15.

While studying for her GCSEs in 2015, Dyson entered local enterprise competition I Know I Can (IKIC) Big Challenge. For her entry, she conceptualised Pura Cosmetics based on her love of quality beauty products and her frustration with how expensive they are. She soon recognised a real gap in the market for ethical cosmetics at accessible prices.

Having started the business with just £25, Dyson continues to handmake her lip scrubs and balms – which come in a range of mouth-watering flavours including mojito and gingerbread – at her home, balancing running the business with studying for her A-levels.

Despite having her hands very much full, the entrepreneur has kept Pura Cosmetics profitable since its inception, reinvesting its profits in growth.

The brand is now stocked by a range of local department stores, gift shops and salons, and has been included in nationwide beauty subscription boxes. Dyson and her products can also regularly be found at trade shows, pop-up shops, craft fairs and markets.

While her age has led to several roadblocks – being unable to open her own business bank account at the age of 16 being one of them – Dyson says that her young years have also facilitated Pura Cosmetics’ growth. Having grown up with social media, for example, Dyson knew how to use it to foster a large and engaged following.

Dyson’s achievements have been recognised by business giants, and she is the youngest ever recipient of both the Jacqueline Gold CBE Women in Business #WOW Award and the Theo Paphitis Small Business Sunday Award. She was also crowned UK Young Market Trader of the Year in 2017.

In fact, in February 2017 the entrepreneur was scouted for Dragons’ Den, but at 17 was too young to appear on the show.

This summer, Dyson will be completing her A-levels and going full-time with Pura Cosmetics – and her sights are set on securing national stockists, finding a business premises, expanding her product range and building a team.

Watch this space.