If you’re someone who loves to shop local, support small businesses, and treat yourself to beautifully made pamper products, I’d like to introduce you to one of my inspiring clients: Natalie Dawson, founder of Awesome Botanical.
Based in Gateshead in the North East of England, Natalie has created a thriving skincare and self-care brand known for its natural ingredients, uplifting scents, and luxurious, spa-like feel, all crafted right at home in the community she loves.
Awesome Botanical specialises in whipped soaps, body butters, hand balms, foot care products, and a range of pamper gift sets designed to help customers relax, unwind, and enjoy a moment of calm in their own home. Every product is handmade in small batches, ensuring freshness, consistency, and quality. Whether you’re buying for yourself, a friend, or your clients, these products offer a touch of everyday luxury with thoughtful, botanical ingredients.
For businesses that like to shop local and support regional creators, Awesome Botanical has become a go-to brand for natural corporate gifts. Popular items include the zesty Citrus River Whipped Soap, the energising range of body butters, soothing balms for hardworking hands, feet pamper kits, and curated gift sets perfect for staff appreciation, client gifting, or special occasions.
A Business Born From Creativity and Courage
Every small business has a story — and Natalie’s is one of creativity, resilience, and passion. Awesome Botanical began not in a studio or a business unit, but at the dining room table in 2020, when the world had slowed down and many of us were looking for ways to cope with the uncertainty brought by lockdown.
To ease her own anxieties, Natalie began experimenting with handmade soaps and natural skincare. What started as a hobby quickly grew into something more. She found she had a gift: an eye for beautiful scents, a love for botanicals, and a dedication to creating high-quality products that genuinely make people feel good.
Just a year later, her talent and determination caught national attention. In 2021, Natalie produced 9,000 hand balms for the NHS, supporting frontline workers at a time when they needed it most. This huge achievement was followed by another milestone — winning one of Theo Paphitis’ Small Business Sunday Awards, which spotlight and champion innovative small businesses across the UK.
From those early kitchen experiments, Awesome Botanical has now grown into a booming mail-order business, supplying customers nationwide. Natalie’s products are stocked by hospitality venues, ordered by companies looking for thoughtful corporate gifts, and enjoyed daily by people who value natural, handcrafted skincare.
Her story is a brilliant example of what can happen when creativity meets courage — and when a passion is backed by the right support, clarity, and confidence.
Innovation at the Heart of Awesome Botanical
One thing I admire deeply about Natalie is her commitment to innovation. She’s not someone who stands still, and her customers love her for it.
This year, she’s launching something truly special: a Whipped Soap & Body Butter Advent Calendar. Designed to help you smell and feel wonderful throughout December, each day reveals a beautifully scented product in travel-friendly sizes — perfect for discovering new favourites, gifting to friends, or enjoying some seasonal self-care.
With people increasingly seeking natural, handcrafted alternatives to mass-produced skincare, this Advent Calendar is already generating excitement. It’s a testament to Natalie’s ability to spot trends, listen to her customers, and keep evolving the brand in fresh and creative ways.
The Power of Coaching for Small Business Owners
Running a product-based business, particularly one that is scaling quickly, can feel overwhelming at times. Balancing creativity, production, branding, operations, and sales — all while trying to grow sustainably — is a huge challenge. This is where coaching can make an extraordinary difference.
Natalie describes her coaching experience by saying:
“I really enjoy my coaching sessions with Sam and these have helped me unravel my business and work through what I want. The accountability sessions are so important to spur me on and increase my motivation and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.”
Coaching gives business owners the space to pause, think clearly, make decisions with confidence, and build momentum. It provides accountability, structure, and direction — and ultimately helps them grow faster and with more ease.
Businesses Go Further, Faster With Coaching
Working with passionate entrepreneurs like Natalie is a privilege. Watching them thrive, innovate, and build the business they dreamed of is exactly why I do what I do.
If you’re a business owner who wants clarity, confidence, and support, or if you’re simply feeling stuck or overwhelmed , I’d love to help.
Get in touch below to book a free introductory call.