Success Story
Louis Watkins, 23, from Newport, founded his business Clear For Men at the age of just 20. Clear For Men is a men’s mental health awareness and online skincare brand, encouraging men to ‘take five’ through their daily cleansing routine.
| Region/Nation | Wales |
|---|---|
| Sector | Consumer Goods & Services |
| Programme | Start Up Loans |
Young entrepreneur Louis set out to create his business after suffering from anxiety during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Working hard to incorporate more self-care into his day-to-day, he realised that a morning and evening skincare routine allowed him to pause, switch off and focus on himself for a moment. Wanting to find a way to help others who were struggling with their mental health, Louis set up Clear For Men to encourage men to prioritise their wellbeing and create a platform where men could speak openly about how they feel.
Louis applied for a £12,000 Start Up Loan shortly after establishing his business in 2022, using the funding to create and bulk buy his stock. Louis now sells his ‘Take Five’ cleansers from his website and TikTok shop, where he has built up a large following and regularly posts videos discussing mental health.
Being able to pursue something I was passionate about and create a business from it was a dream come true, and without the financial backing of my Start Up Loan, or the support from my family, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Suffering with my own mental health struggles, it was so important for me to be able to pass on what helped me to others. I wanted to create a quality skincare brand that cares, gives back, and breaks the stigma to get men talking. I made a commitment when I started my business to donate a portion of my sales to the mental health charity, Mind, and I’ve stuck to that, which is something I’m really proud of. - Louis Founder of Clear For Men
Tags related to this content:
More success stories
Read a success story about Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop
Natalie Press is the founder of Woof The Yorkshire Dog Shop (Woof), which sells a wide range of organic, grain-free and sustainable pet products.
Read a success story about We Make Footballers
Leon Stapleton, founder of We Make Footballers Cardiff, a football training academy for children aged 4-12. Applying for a £15,000 Start Up Loan meant that Leon was able to launch the first We Make Footballers franchise in Wales.
Read a success story about Two Blues Solar
Dan Levene is co-founder of Two Blues Solar, a solar panel installation business which addresses the growing demand for sustainable solutions to help drive the nation's net-zero agenda.
Sign up for our newsletter
Just add your details to receive updates and news from Start Up Loans
Sign up to our newsletter