I’m Flick, and I am the founder of a British bootstrapped neurocosmetics brand—Menteath Smoke Infused Skincare & Scent. I’ve always believed that innovation and authenticity are the true cornerstones of beauty, and IMO, ethical business. This belief led to the creation of Smoke Stories—an offshoot of Menteath—specialising in smoke-infused neurocosmetics that merges wellness, beauty, and scent. What started as a personal journey, full of trial and error, has now evolved into a passionate mission to help startups and niche British brands across industries navigate the complexities of launching and growing in today’s saturated markets.

While my specialism is in beauty, my background is in business—which means the lessons, scars, and strategies I’ve gathered along the way are just as relevant for food, fashion, tech, and service-based startups as they are for skincare.

For smaller, niche brands, the challenges in the UK market are especially tough. The rising costs of marketing, PR, and visibility make it harder for these brands to gain the attention they deserve. Retailers, especially brick-and-mortar stores, tend to lean towards the “known” names, leaving little room for fresh, innovative ideas. This dominance of larger brands stifles the space for new concepts and creates an environment that’s incredibly difficult to break into—especially for brands that are daring to offer something unique or niche.

That’s where Smoke Stories comes in. My own journey with Menteath has been filled with costly mistakes and hard lessons learned, and now I’m sharing those stories to help others avoid the same pitfalls. From losing deals and money poorly spent, to finding the confidence to tell supply chain cowboys and industry groomers to go f*** themselves, we’re here to guide you through the murky waters of business. I’ve been there, and I’m here to provide the raw, unfiltered insights you need to succeed.

We offer tried-and-tested expertise in everything from product development and marketing strategy to brand positioning and growth planning. On top of that, we give you access to a curated network of trusted PR, social, government, e-commerce, and growth specialists—our “little black book” built from experience, designed to save you time, money, and heartache.

At Smoke Stories, we’re not just about creating exceptional products—we’re building a community of innovators shaping the future across industries. We understand that the road to success isn’t always smooth, but with the right guidance, vision, and strategy, new-to-market brands can break through the noise and truly thrive.