I’m Flick, founder of Menteath Smoke Infused Skincare and Scent, a proudly British, bootstrapped brand built from scratch.

Menteath began as a personal idea that grew into something much bigger. At its heart was a belief that innovation should feel honest, and that business can be both commercially strong and ethically grounded. Building the brand taught me more than any course or textbook ever could. It taught me about resilience, about people, about money, about trust, and about the quiet determination it takes to keep going when things do not go to plan.

Smoke Stories grew from that journey.

Although my background started in beauty, my experience is in business. The lessons I have learned apply far beyond skincare. Today, I support founders and growing brands across industries, from product based businesses to service providers, from food and fashion to tech and community led ventures.

Starting and growing a business in the UK can feel overwhelming, especially for smaller or niche brands. Marketing is expensive. Visibility is competitive. Retailers often favour established names. It can feel difficult to be seen, heard, and taken seriously when you are building something new.

I have made costly mistakes. I have lost money. I have trusted the wrong people. I have learned how important it is to understand your numbers, protect your energy, and choose partners carefully. Those experiences now shape the way I support others.

Smoke Stories exists to offer honest, practical guidance. No jargon. No gatekeeping. Just real conversations about what it actually takes to build something sustainable.

What We Do

We provide grounded, experience led support across:

• Product and service development and readiness

• Brand positioning and storytelling support

• Go to market strategies

• Commercial foundations and growth planning

• Retail and partnership readiness

We also connect founders to a trusted network of PR, social, government, ecommerce, funding, and growth specialists. These are relationships built through lived experience, not theory. The aim is simple. To save time, reduce costly mistakes, and give founders clarity and confidence. Because the only person that I believe holds you back is you.

Creating Opportunity

Alongside supporting businesses, I am completely committed to widening access to entrepreneurship.

We offer additional support to individuals who may be considered disadvantaged within traditional employment structures. This includes neurodiverse entrepreneurs, refugees, lone parents, ex offenders, and others facing systemic barriers.

For many people, building a business is not just about ambition. It is about independence, dignity, and long term stability.

Our approach focuses on practical skills, commercial understanding, and building something sustainable. We believe in empowerment that lasts.

The Bigger Picture

Smoke Stories is about more than launching brands. It is about building capable, confident founders across industries.

It is about helping people move forward with clarity rather than fear. About making business feel less isolating and more human.

Growth is rarely straightforward. But with the right support, thoughtful strategy, and steady guidance, it becomes possible.

And that is what I am here for.