See new brand Carol Joy at the PBGCC exhibition

Most truly successful brands are born out of passion and it was a quest for perfection that led Carol Joy Hatton to create the brand that now boasts a global army of loyal fans and an impressive celebrity following.

Hatton, who divides her time between Monaco and London, UK, tells me the intriguing story of the brand’s success from her apartment in Monte Carlo.

The journey began in the 1980s when Hatton, a beauty and spa aficionado, felt dissatisfied with the products and treatments on the market.

“I was lucky enough to spend many years travelling, due to my husband’s business,” she explains. “I stayed at wonderful places and experienced some of the best spas and products in the world. However I was always left slightly disappointed and with the feeling that each product and treatment could be improved upon.”

“An idea started to form in my mind,” she continues. “Wouldn’t it be nice to find that perfect treatment, perfect product, perfect packing and perfectly trained therapist?”

After her husband’s retirement, Hatton – who had been actively involved in the business – felt at a loose end. “I told myself it’s now or never,” she says.

So in 2005 Hatton opened a hairdressing salon in Chelsea and started to investigate creating a product line with her daughter Nicole, now managing director of the company. Hatton was introduced to the president of Kanebo in Japan who in turn introduced her, through his PA, to Christine Buechel, creator of the Sensai line of products. Buechel joined forces with the mother and daughter team and the search for the perfect product line reached new heights.

“Christine taught me that to create a worthy brand you need continuity – an ingredient or ingredients that would feature in all the products in a brand. So we set about looking for a very special ingredient that hadn’t been seen before in the industry, which was quite difficult!"

Striking gold

The odyssey led them to South Africa, Thailand and the USA, but the team finally hit the jackpot at a chance meeting in Switzerland.

“While searching for a laboratory to create the products in, we came across a team of 12 Swiss scientists who had been working, for 12 years, to extract golden millet oil from the seed. This is a tiny seed but the scientist explained that the oil within offered much goodness, which would benefit skin, hair and nails. As luck would have it, we met them at the exact point that they had discovered how to extract the oil from the seed of the Proso Millet plant in its purest form. It was very expensive to develop, but I knew I had found the ingredient that I wanted in every product."

The Carol Joy line was born with a handful of hair products, followed by skincare products. Then Hatton decided to create supplements of the golden millet oil to be taken in synergy with the product line.

“Many other companies offered supplements but the ingredients differed to those in the products so I knew I had a unique opportunity,” says Hatton.

The products launched at the salon in London and in Monte Carlo and then a chance encounter attracted the interest of the world-renowned The Dorchester Hotel in London.

“I was staying at The Dorchester in London in winter. The skincare products were almost ready and I had an appointment with a photographer in the lobby of the hotel. I looked out of the window and it was snowing, London had come to a complete standstill. My meeting cancelled, I started chatting to a gentleman about the snow and I told him I’d perhaps go and visit the hotel spa for a day of pampering instead.”

As it transpired, the gentleman was the general manager of The Dorchester who explained that the spa was closed for renovation. Hatton enquired whether the spa had a product line in mind and plucked up the courage to show him her product packaging.

“He loved the packaging and promised to talk to the spa manager about it. To my surprise, the following morning she was on the phone! Very unceremoniously, I ended up sending the esteemed Dorchester Hotel in London, products to test in plastic bags direct from the laboratory! I then invited the spa manager to our hair salon for a facial. She said it was the best facial she’d ever had and so we launched in The Dorchester in the newly renovated spa. My luck has seemed to go on from there. We have gone from strength to strength!”

Made for the Middle East

 

In March 2015, Carol Joy partnered with health and wellness group Optivi. The partnership has helped propel the growth of the brand [which Hatton emphasises will remain exclusive and true to its origins] and hence 2016 will see it launch in South Africa, Scandinavia, Morocco, Hong Kong and China.

Already successful in Monaco, France, the UK and Russia it hits our shores this month with the launch of Carol Joy retail products in the Burj Al Arab; an exclusive product range adapted for our region.

Hatton explains, “The Dorchester attracts lots of Arabic guests and many approached us in our spa and asked why were weren’t in the Middle East. In response to this, we conducted a lot of research in that region and we have been working closely with our Middle East partners to extend the range and adapt skin and haircare products to respond to the needs of the market.”

“We have looked into treatment development and we will also be providing a real experience for our Middle Eastern clients whose schedules are perhaps not as time pressed as our London clientele. A lot of thought has gone into launching the correct products and treatments for the region and we are lucky to have found a really good local partner [The Product House] so we can be confident about offering great standards of training, marketing and support. We feel the time is right for our Middle Eastern launch.”

As well as global growth, Hatton reveals that the brand will be extending its product and treatment line in 2016. “Without giving too much away, we have got a lot in store for 2016 including a groundbreaking collagen treatments for the face and body and a revolutionary lightening complex.” she says as our conversation draws to a close. I for one, will be interested to learn what happens in the next chapter of the Carol Joy story.

Most truly successful brands are born out of passion and it was a quest for perfection that led Carol Joy Hatton to create the brand that now boasts a global army of loyal fans and an impressive celebrity following.

Hatton, who divides her time between Monaco and London, UK, tells me the intriguing story of the brand’s success from her apartment in Monte Carlo.

The journey began in the 1980s when Hatton, a beauty and spa aficionado, felt dissatisfied with the products and treatments on the market.

“I was lucky enough to spend many years travelling, due to my husband’s business,” she explains. “I stayed at wonderful places and experienced some of the best spas and products in the world. However I was always left slightly disappointed and with the feeling that each product and treatment could be improved upon.”

“An idea started to form in my mind,” she continues. “Wouldn’t it be nice to find that perfect treatment, perfect product, perfect packing and perfectly trained therapist?”

After her husband’s retirement, Hatton – who had been actively involved in the business – felt at a loose end. “I told myself it’s now or never,” she says.

So in 2005 Hatton opened a hairdressing salon in Chelsea and started to investigate creating a product line with her daughter Nicole, now managing director of the company. Hatton was introduced to the president of Kanebo in Japan who in turn introduced her, through his PA, to Christine Buechel, creator of the Sensai line of products. Buechel joined forces with the mother and daughter team and the search for the perfect product line reached new heights.

“Christine taught me that to create a worthy brand you need continuity – an ingredient or ingredients that would feature in all the products in a brand. So we set about looking for a very special ingredient that hadn’t been seen before in the industry, which was quite difficult!"

Striking gold

The odyssey led them to South Africa, Thailand and the USA, but the team finally hit the jackpot at a chance meeting in Switzerland.

“While searching for a laboratory to create the products in, we came across a team of 12 Swiss scientists who had been working, for 12 years, to extract golden millet oil from the seed. This is a tiny seed but the scientist explained that the oil within offered much goodness, which would benefit skin, hair and nails. As luck would have it, we met them at the exact point that they had discovered how to extract the oil from the seed of the Proso Millet plant in its purest form. It was very expensive to develop, but I knew I had found the ingredient that I wanted in every product."

The Carol Joy line was born with a handful of hair products, followed by skincare products. Then Hatton decided to create supplements of the golden millet oil to be taken in synergy with the product line.

“Many other companies offered supplements but the ingredients differed to those in the products so I knew I had a unique opportunity,” says Hatton.

The products launched at the salon in London and in Monte Carlo and then a chance encounter attracted the interest of the world-renowned The Dorchester Hotel in London.

“I was staying at The Dorchester in London in winter. The skincare products were almost ready and I had an appointment with a photographer in the lobby of the hotel. I looked out of the window and it was snowing, London had come to a complete standstill. My meeting cancelled, I started chatting to a gentleman about the snow and I told him I’d perhaps go and visit the hotel spa for a day of pampering instead.”

As it transpired, the gentleman was the general manager of The Dorchester who explained that the spa was closed for renovation. Hatton enquired whether the spa had a product line in mind and plucked up the courage to show him her product packaging.

“He loved the packaging and promised to talk to the spa manager about it. To my surprise, the following morning she was on the phone! Very unceremoniously, I ended up sending the esteemed Dorchester Hotel in London, products to test in plastic bags direct from the laboratory! I then invited the spa manager to our hair salon for a facial. She said it was the best facial she’d ever had and so we launched in The Dorchester in the newly renovated spa. My luck has seemed to go on from there. We have gone from strength to strength!”

Made for the Middle East

 

In March 2015, Carol Joy partnered with health and wellness group Optivi. The partnership has helped propel the growth of the brand [which Hatton emphasises will remain exclusive and true to its origins] and hence 2016 will see it launch in South Africa, Scandinavia, Morocco, Hong Kong and China.

Already successful in Monaco, France, the UK and Russia it hits our shores this month with the launch of Carol Joy retail products in the Burj Al Arab; an exclusive product range adapted for our region.

Hatton explains, “The Dorchester attracts lots of Arabic guests and many approached us in our spa and asked why were weren’t in the Middle East. In response to this, we conducted a lot of research in that region and we have been working closely with our Middle East partners to extend the range and adapt skin and haircare products to respond to the needs of the market.”

“We have looked into treatment development and we will also be providing a real experience for our Middle Eastern clients whose schedules are perhaps not as time pressed as our London clientele. A lot of thought has gone into launching the correct products and treatments for the region and we are lucky to have found a really good local partner [The Product House] so we can be confident about offering great standards of training, marketing and support. We feel the time is right for our Middle Eastern launch.”

As well as global growth, Hatton reveals that the brand will be extending its product and treatment line in 2016. “Without giving too much away, we have got a lot in store for 2016 including a groundbreaking collagen treatments for the face and body and a revolutionary lightening complex.” she says as our conversation draws to a close. I for one, will be interested to learn what happens in the next chapter of the Carol Joy story.

Most truly successful brands are born out of passion and it was a quest for perfection that led Carol Joy Hatton to create the brand that now boasts a global army of loyal fans and an impressive celebrity following.

Hatton, who divides her time between Monaco and London, UK, tells me the intriguing story of the brand’s success from her apartment in Monte Carlo.

The journey began in the 1980s when Hatton, a beauty and spa aficionado, felt dissatisfied with the products and treatments on the market.

“I was lucky enough to spend many years travelling, due to my husband’s business,” she explains. “I stayed at wonderful places and experienced some of the best spas and products in the world. However I was always left slightly disappointed and with the feeling that each product and treatment could be improved upon.”

“An idea started to form in my mind,” she continues. “Wouldn’t it be nice to find that perfect treatment, perfect product, perfect packing and perfectly trained therapist?”

After her husband’s retirement, Hatton – who had been actively involved in the business – felt at a loose end. “I told myself it’s now or never,” she says.

So in 2005 Hatton opened a hairdressing salon in Chelsea and started to investigate creating a product line with her daughter Nicole, now managing director of the company. Hatton was introduced to the president of Kanebo in Japan who in turn introduced her, through his PA, to Christine Buechel, creator of the Sensai line of products. Buechel joined forces with the mother and daughter team and the search for the perfect product line reached new heights.

“Christine taught me that to create a worthy brand you need continuity – an ingredient or ingredients that would feature in all the products in a brand. So we set about looking for a very special ingredient that hadn’t been seen before in the industry, which was quite difficult!"

Striking gold

The odyssey led them to South Africa, Thailand and the USA, but the team finally hit the jackpot at a chance meeting in Switzerland.

“While searching for a laboratory to create the products in, we came across a team of 12 Swiss scientists who had been working, for 12 years, to extract golden millet oil from the seed. This is a tiny seed but the scientist explained that the oil within offered much goodness, which would benefit skin, hair and nails. As luck would have it, we met them at the exact point that they had discovered how to extract the oil from the seed of the Proso Millet plant in its purest form. It was very expensive to develop, but I knew I had found the ingredient that I wanted in every product."

The Carol Joy line was born with a handful of hair products, followed by skincare products. Then Hatton decided to create supplements of the golden millet oil to be taken in synergy with the product line.

“Many other companies offered supplements but the ingredients differed to those in the products so I knew I had a unique opportunity,” says Hatton.

The products launched at the salon in London and in Monte Carlo and then a chance encounter attracted the interest of the world-renowned The Dorchester Hotel in London.

“I was staying at The Dorchester in London in winter. The skincare products were almost ready and I had an appointment with a photographer in the lobby of the hotel. I looked out of the window and it was snowing, London had come to a complete standstill. My meeting cancelled, I started chatting to a gentleman about the snow and I told him I’d perhaps go and visit the hotel spa for a day of pampering instead.”

As it transpired, the gentleman was the general manager of The Dorchester who explained that the spa was closed for renovation. Hatton enquired whether the spa had a product line in mind and plucked up the courage to show him her product packaging.

“He loved the packaging and promised to talk to the spa manager about it. To my surprise, the following morning she was on the phone! Very unceremoniously, I ended up sending the esteemed Dorchester Hotel in London, products to test in plastic bags direct from the laboratory! I then invited the spa manager to our hair salon for a facial. She said it was the best facial she’d ever had and so we launched in The Dorchester in the newly renovated spa. My luck has seemed to go on from there. We have gone from strength to strength!”

Made for the Middle East

 

In March 2015, Carol Joy partnered with health and wellness group Optivi. The partnership has helped propel the growth of the brand [which Hatton emphasises will remain exclusive and true to its origins] and hence 2016 will see it launch in South Africa, Scandinavia, Morocco, Hong Kong and China.

Already successful in Monaco, France, the UK and Russia it hits our shores this month with the launch of Carol Joy retail products in the Burj Al Arab; an exclusive product range adapted for our region.

Hatton explains, “The Dorchester attracts lots of Arabic guests and many approached us in our spa and asked why were weren’t in the Middle East. In response to this, we conducted a lot of research in that region and we have been working closely with our Middle East partners to extend the range and adapt skin and haircare products to respond to the needs of the market.”

“We have looked into treatment development and we will also be providing a real experience for our Middle Eastern clients whose schedules are perhaps not as time pressed as our London clientele. A lot of thought has gone into launching the correct products and treatments for the region and we are lucky to have found a really good local partner [The Product House] so we can be confident about offering great standards of training, marketing and support. We feel the time is right for our Middle Eastern launch.”

As well as global growth, Hatton reveals that the brand will be extending its product and treatment line in 2016. “Without giving too much away, we have got a lot in store for 2016 including a groundbreaking collagen treatments for the face and body and a revolutionary lightening complex.” she says as our conversation draws to a close. I for one, will be interested to learn what happens in the next chapter of the Carol Joy story.