Maria Miller MP for Basingstoke met local entrepreneur Natalie Chapple who founded Glisten Cosmetics based in Crockford Lane in Chineham.
The company, originally setup in 2017 in Natalie’s garage as a side hustle, took off in 2020 during the COVID pandemic when on-line shopping became the only option for a time. Glisten Cosmetics now has 12 employees and a turnover of over £2.5M and uses on-line influencers to promote and market their signature Wet Liners products. With the products now in 35 HMV stores nationwide as well as being available on-line, Glisten Cosmetics export across the world with 80% of sales going overseas.
Maria said, “Natalie’s story is inspirational and like that of other Basingstoke entrepreneurs who so often start their new business from home, balancing it alongside their day job. Small businesses like Glisten Cosmetics are the back bone of Basingstoke's successful and vibrant business community with over 90% of Basingstoke businesses employing 10 people or fewer.
"Natalie’s drive and passion for her company Glisten Cosmetics is testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and confidence to grow her business to new exciting levels with new products and designs being marketed such as The Glisten Cosmetics advent calendar which sold out in just 12 days. With licensing deals in the pipeline and the prospect of a standalone store in London, Natalie aims to grow her business to new heights, by consolidating and expanding sensibly”.
"Glisten Cosmetics is growing because of a significant growth in overseas sales. Anyone wanting to know more about support available for businesses to grow their overseas sales can look at Access international market export support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)."
Basingstoke is a great place to live, work and invest. The town has a vibrant economy and is the most productive place in Hampshire, with workers paid over £5,500 more per year than the UK average.