When I made the decision to leave teaching and retrain in tech, one of the biggest shifts wasn’t just in job title — it was in salary. My income halved overnight, and I had to get creative to support myself while building my new career.
One of the most unexpected joys came from a side hustle: I became an Independent Beauty Rep for The Body Shop at Home. I offered skincare, make-up, and hair care advice while promoting ethical, Fairtrade, and eco-friendly products. What started as a practical move quickly turned into something much more meaningful.
🌼 I found a real spark in social networking and product sharing. My little Facebook group grew into a beautiful community — not just of customers, but of friends. I eventually built a team of fellow consultants and truly enjoyed mentoring others. Even as The Body Shop consultant program came to an end, the community we built stayed strong.
I later switched to promoting cruelty-free products through Avon, sharing live product demos, self-care tips, and empowering women through beauty — now with a splash of TikTok fun too!
💛 Over the past 5 years, this side hustle has grown into a purposeful passion. Some of the causes closest to our hearts include:
- Raised awareness for over 20 charities
- Donated over £4,600 to meaningful causes
- Sponsored multiple guide dog puppies 🐶, including Clyde, who we’re proudly following through his training
- Supported Collette, a hearing dog in training 🐾
- Sponsored rescue donkeys 🫏
A few Charities We’ve Supported:
- Up and Downs – Supporting families and children with Down Syndrome
- The RNLI – Saving lives at sea
- Bowel Cancer UK – Raising awareness and supporting research
- Driving Ukraine – Providing Ambulances to Ukraine
Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this story so far. The hive continues to grow! 🐝
