Navigating Startup Tides: Lessons in Resilience and Resourcefulness from Sea the Love's Founder
- Bethany Sharp
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
we're diving deep into the story behind Sea the Love, a brand that's making waves in the skincare world. We're thrilled to chat with the founder, who's turned a lifelong love for the ocean and its natural healing properties into a thriving business. From sun-kissed memories in Greece to the salty air of Whitley Bay, their journey is as refreshing as a dip in the sea. We'll explore the initial spark that ignited the brand, the challenges of creating ethical and affordable skincare, and the vision for a sustainable future. Get ready to be inspired by a story of passion, resilience, and the undeniable power of the ocean.
1. what was the initial spark that ignited the idea for your brand? What
problem were you trying to solve or what gap did you see in the market?
I’ve always loved swimming in the sea when I’m on holiday, and I always notice how
my skin looks so much healthier after. My first memorable experience of the sea
helping my skin was when I was around 13 on a family holiday in Greece. Like many
young girls I suffered with pimples, but I got them really badly on my back and down
my arms and was really self-conscious about it. After spending a week at the beach
swimming in the sea every day, I was amazed to see how much they cleared up.
Every holiday since I always notice how my skin looks so fresh and glowy after a
quick dip in the sea.
When it came to marine-based skincare products on the market, they were either
crazily expensive, not cruelty-free, or filled with nasty preservatives and ingredients
that I try to avoid. So, I decided to create me own! I grew up in the seaside town of
Whitley Bay, so the beach and the sea have always been a big part of my life.
There’s a strong culture here around the benefits of being near or in the sea, with
many locals doing sea dips, walks along the coast, or yoga on the beach. That
connection to the sea inspired me a lot when creating Sea the Love.
2. What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced in product
development, and how did you overcome them?
Honestly, the biggest challenge was cost. I really wanted to create products that
would be relatively affordable for the average consumer while still being high quality.
There were so many factors that were important to me when developing the
products, using glass packaging, sourcing sustainably, incorporating high-quality and
effective ingredients, and ethically sourcing everything, all of which increased the
cost.
As a small business with lower order volumes, I miss out on the bulk discounts that
bigger companies get. For a while, I struggled with balancing a product that was
highly effective, met all my standards, and remained affordable. In the end, I did
have to price them higher than I initially hoped because I didn’t want to compromise
on quality just to lower the price. It was a tough decision, but I’m proud of the result:
products that I believe in and that truly reflect my values.
3. How do you create a strong brand identity that resonates with your
customers?
One of the first things I did when I started my business was figure out my branding,
which is a lot more than just creating a logo. It’s about creating a story and
understanding the values and purpose of your brand. Once I had that nailed down it
all just came into place! One of the best things about being a solo entrepreneur is
you get to make every decision based on what you like, so my brand feels like an
extension of me. I think that helps make it feel really authentic to my customers and
resonates with people like me!
4. What were some of the early challenges you faced in scaling your
business, and how did you address them?
As a small business its hard to build brand awareness without a decent marketing
budget. It can be super frustrating because you know your products are good and
you want people to try them, but getting the name out there and building that trust
and confidence doesn’t come easy. When I first launched, I didn’t have much of a
plan and was focusing on selling at a national level. After a while I realised there was
a lot of merit in just focusing on my local community as it was an easier sell. First of
all, people want to see small local businesses thrive, so they’re more wiling to
support.
Secondly, the ‘beachy’ culture here meant I didn’t have to work so hard to
educate people around the benefits of the sea, as many already know and are lovers
of the sea too! Finally I could get involved in things such as markets or pop ups, and
host community events, so I get my brand and name in front of people to really build
awareness. Its also just important to remember Rome wasn’t built in a day! It takes
time, especially for small businesses without a crazy huge marketing budget, so
managing expectations is crucial!
5. How do you stay motivated and resilient in the face of setbacks?
Honestly, sometimes it’s really hard. I’ve had moments where I felt like giving up
completely. But I always come back to why I started the brand, thinking about the
purpose and the mission, all the time and energy I’ve poured into it, and how much I
truly believe in what we’re building. That reminder keeps me going.
It’s also so important to take breaks. As a solo entrepreneur, there’s this pressure to
be constantly “on,” but that just leads to burnout and kills creativity. Being kind to
yourself, knowing when to pause and recharge - that’s key to staying motivated long-
term.
6. Where do you see the brand in five years?
In five years, I’d love for Sea the Love to be a recognised and trusted skincare
brand, known not just for great products but also for our values, sustainability,
transparency, and giving back to the ocean. I’d like to expand the range, bring in new
innovative ingredients, and hopefully be stocked a couple stores across the UK. But
most importantly, I want to keep that community feel and stay connected to the
people who support us, growing without losing what makes us different!
And so, from the shores of Whitley Bay, Sea the Love continues its journey, driven by a passion for the ocean and a commitment to ethical, effective skincare. It's a story of turning personal experience into a brand that resonates with those who seek both quality and connection to nature. As we look to the future, one question remains: what waves will Sea the Love make next?
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