Meet Talktoiris Founder, Laura.

After a decade within the health and beauty industry, TALKTOIRIS CIC Founder, Laura decided to follow her heart and focus on what really mattered to her.

Welcome to talktoiris.

Laura trained in skincare and aesthetics at the age of 19, after two years in the industry she created a health and beauty blog which she worked on for 5 years. A few years later, Laura worked in the city for a skin clinic chain, starting within a clinic as a sales advisor, she was promoted after three months to the head office to shape the company's customer service and sales channels. Shortly after, Laura gained executive status to lead the company's UK sales teams. In May 2021, Laura decided it was time to move on and to start her own business helping women.

“I enjoyed helping people improve their skin and appearance. If we’re fortunate, we age. However, let’s face it, health and happiness matters the most. I’ve spent over 15 years being concerned about my own physical appearance, when it was my mental and physical health that should have been the focal point. I reached a point in my life where I decided to focus on my health and wellbeing. Whilst doing so and speaking to others about my renewed outlook, I realised that so many other women felt the same way as me. I wasn't alone in feeling like my physical and mental health had been ignored for too long".

Talking openly to family and friends has always been at the forefront of Laura’s interests.

“I love to listen to peoples' stories. I love to read, write and learn. I have discovered so much about myself and other people but mostly I have discovered that there is not really a community that we could turn to for help and guidance. Although there are many self-help articles online, there just wasn't a space that collectively held relevant information nor provided support for women that struggle with understanding the impact that physical health has on mental health. There is a huge connection here, one that I have only recently discovered myself. Women need to understand how to bridge the gap between physical and mental health".

Laura started to realise the implications of not putting mental and physical health first.

“I have struggled with anxiety and depression in the past. I am pretty open with this information and by being that way inclined, I have heard many stories from others that have dealt with the same issues. I didn’t really think too much about my physical health. I then hit a roadblock that forced me to take action. I was forced to evaluate my lifestyle and health. Things had to change, but with the help of my incredible support system (family and friends), I was able to tackle the problems head on”.

It made perfect sense for Laura to create a loving community for women to connect and share their experiences and findings.

“Social media can be a negative place at times. I wanted to create a platform that makes us smile. A safe and happy place to go to when we need it the most. Sometimes its difficult to make new friends or to open up to people about how we feel. I want to change that”.

Laura was inspired by her grandmother, Iris.

“I realised how fortunate that I am to have such a strong, caring support system around me in my life. My nan, mum, sister and friends have such an impact on my life on a daily basis. I wanted to create a platform that enables other women to form great relationships that resemble what I have in my life. My friends and family are incredible. I feel blessed everyday. Everyone should be able to talk to likeminded people in a safe, loving environment. I felt it was my duty to use my technical knowledge to do good for others by creating a platform that is accessible to as many women as possible”.

Even with social media so close to hand, it can be difficult for adults to form meaningful connections with one another. Laura liked the idea of different aged generations being able to connect at the touch of a button and to be able to offer helpful advice to each other.

“It broke my heart reflecting on the reality that not everyone has grandmothers, sisters, mothers or even friends around them to talk to. I want my business to enable people to form real meaningful connections. I want our blog, forum and podcast to inspire women, make them laugh and to remind them that they aren’t alone. Talktoiris will also host engaging and insightful events for our community”.

“Alongside our blog, forum and podcast, I am creating a health app that bridges the gap between physical and mental health. In short, it will be educational, sociable and engaging”.