Wild Oats is a home-grown natural skincare brand which is hand-made in Lismore. What began as a hobby for Karen Cottier when she moved back to Ireland with her family in 2008 from the UK, is now becoming a successful brand-name in both national and international markets since she joined forces with scientist Deirdre Meaney.
Karen always had an interest in soaps and skincare as she was constantly on the hunt for products which would not irritate her children’s sensitive skin and her own. She completed a course in soap making many years ago and began making soap for her family and then for friends.
From there the business grew, and the brand called Wild Oats was born. Karen and Deirdre use as many local ingredients in their products as possible and the basis of most of their products is made from Flahavans Organic Oats which are also manufactured in Co Waterford.
Last July, The Kilkenny Shop made an open call to all Irish designers and producers to submit their idea for a chance to have their products available at all Kilkenny shops around Ireland. Karen and Deirdre applied but didn’t ever expect to be one of 50 teams picked to pitch their idea to Kilkenny buyers. Karen told The Avondhu that she even deleted the email by mistake as on reading the first few lines just presumed they hadn’t been selected.
The women were even more shocked then, to be selected as one of only five other designers/producers to have their products for sale in Kilkenny shops.
Their products have also stood alongside international brands such as Molton Brown in Kildare Outlet Centre.
Sales of the Wild Oats products have been going really well in Kilkenny stores across Ireland and Karen and Deirdre are hopeful that this will be the beginning of big things for the homegrown brand from little Lismore.
The women are in talks with a few companies at the moment and are always developing new products under the Wild Oats brand. Their latest additions are two new bath milks, their mamma and baby range and their tender range which is scent free for extra sensitive skin.
Karen and Deirdre work from converted old barns on the Cottier homestead which is in a countryside setting near Monamon in Lismore. For Karen and Deirdre, it is wonderful that they have created an opportunity for themselves to work in their locality.
“For us we’re in an area where there isn’t much employment,” explained Karen. For this reason, it is fabulous that they can both base their brand out of the beautiful heritage town of Lismore.
Speaking to The Avondhu this week Karen explained that only for the people of Lismore and surrounding area they would never be where they are today. “We do depend on the support of West Waterford,” she said. “That’s our bread and butter.”
This is a great success story which shows that no matter how small your idea or how small your village, you can grow a successful brand if you believe in it and work hard.
