No one knows a city better than its people. Consciously Connected Travel shares with you our global fam and friends through our My City Series. Unmasking some of the coolest places and it’s people and giving you a deeper more connected insight.

After moving to London and working for several beauty treatment brands, Kerry discovered her passion for wellness. Her early interest in health and alternative medicine led her to return to her studies, first in homeopathy and then a post-grad in Biodynamic craniosacral Therapy. After qualification she went to work for the principal clinic for Craniosacral therapy in London where she practiced for 3 years before setting up her own practice.

After 15 years of private practice, her previous love of skincare and beauty returned, and she became increasingly aware of the unpleasant ingredients included in many of the widely available brands. This prompted her to do more research in this area and explore alternative options. These revelations coincided with her close friend Lisa Smallpiece moving with her family to an organic farm in Sussex. After engaging a renowned dowser to find a water source, they discovered that not only was there an abundant supply (100m under an organic wildflower meadow) but it was incredibly pure whilst rich in minerals and silver.

Mindful of Kerry’s background, Lisa asked if she felt they could create anything with the water, with their mutual love of holistic beauty/wellbeing/design, it only seems natural that AMLY was born. Embracing all her previous chapters and bringing the experience gleaned from all, she feels like this is the perfect expression of the things she feels passionate about.

1. Born and Raised or Expat?

Born and raised in the North of England.

2. How did the idea of Amly Botanicals come about?

Lisa (co-founder) & I have been friends for almost 18 years, both passionate about wellbeing & beauty when she moved to an organic farm & discovered the special water source, I had a lightbulb moment & we began the creation of our first Facial mist.

3. What are your fondest memories of Amly Botanicals when you started your business?

I have so many lovely memories attached to creating this brand. It really has been a huge adventure for both of us, luckily we both get on really well and share a slightly quirky sense of humour. I think if I had to single one out it would be our first Amly business trip to Copenhagen, a city I love. We both took our partners and met lovely people, ate great food & really felt the intention behind the brand was truly appreciated.

4. On your Day-to-Day routine?

It’s a pretty varied routine as I live in Oxfordshire & Lisa in Sussex where we have our main office, then we do meetings in London and work with our alchemist in the West country. The days working from home I rise early, about 6, get my youngest off to school then straight into my office to catch the first blast of e-mails etc. Pilates or yoga, dog walk, coffee in my lovely village deli then back to the computer for the rest of the day.

5. Tell us some of your favourite spots in London?

My favourite spots in London would have to include the parks & heaths, I need to see nature and have space and air, they are all beautiful in different ways but I have a soft spot for Regent’s Park and Hampstead Heath. I have been a Soho House member since the first one opened in Greek St and I find I always end up there for London meetings, there is a sense of familiarity I get, I know the menu, it’s cosy and I can make myself comfortable for the day if need be. Literally any museum, but the V&A is incredible, I cannot wait to see the Dior exhibition.

6. Where do you go to escape?

I adore Greece, any of the islands, I want to gradually work my way through all of them. I also love Paris which is a little closer and so easy to escape to & instantly makes me feel free.

7. You can’t take a vacation, so you decide to have a staycation, what do you do, where do you eat, where do you stay and why?

There are so many places in England that I still want to explore, we are so lucky to have such diversity of landscape for such a small country. I would head to the coast, Devon & Cornwall, stopping at the many seaside towns and villages along the way like, Dartmouth & Padstow. Eat lots of seafood in places like Rick Steins restaurants, indulge in cream teas on the Moors and do lots of sea walks, the sea air always makes you feel so good.

8. What local brands do we have to know about?

You have to know about Gun Brewery, Lisa’s husband Toby has a micro brewery on the farm and produces beer made from the same water source we use for our skincare. This water is drawn from 100m below the organic wildflower meadow and is not only pure, but incredibly rich in minerals and naturally occurring silver.

9. Where’s your next adventure?

Next adventure will be Hvar in Croatia, two great friends moved there a few years ago and we still haven’t made it out there to see them, so we are finally heading there this summer. They have a beautiful B&B called Hidden House.

10. Does Travel breed creativity?

For me personally, absolutely! When I am in daily routine it is hard to have the head space to allow the creativity to blossom. Being stimulated by different environments, foods & culture just gets the ideas flowing. I always come back full of ideas and it takes a while on return to process them all.

11. The ultimate dancing feet reliefs post liquid courage?

Toploader Dancing in the Moonlight

12.. Where to shed those kilos, detox the body or protect the temple?

Viva Mayr Austria

13. Are there any philanthropic programmes or projects that you’re passionate about or would like to shed some light on?

We are partnered with Plant Life who work to protect the future of our wildflowers and plants of which many are at risk of extinction, over 97% of the wildflower meadows & grassland for which the UK is globally known for has disappeared which is heartbreaking for future generations. The ancient wildflower meadows at Hawthbush Farm (home of Amly) are preserved and others being restored to former glory.

14. Entrepreneurs, Tastemakers and Trailblazers, Where do people like you hangout in your city?

I think people are becoming much more discerning, seeking authenticity, integrity and quality so you see lots of small independant, cafes, bars, restaurants popping up in more rural places or on the edges of the city where the rents tend to be more affordable. There are some great mini retreats where like minded people are meeting and sharing their passions.

15. Give a shout-out to someone in your city that is doing groundbreaking things, and what is it that makes them a trailblazer?

I would have to say say my 2 eldest boys, both musicians and both making some great music, Gus Moore and Jack Moore

16. A locals-only, off-the-radar, black book spot?

Pearl and Groove in Portobello rd. Notting Hill, the best gluten free cakes, amazing salads and scrummy brunch

17. What’s the next big thing when it comes to Amly Botanicals in 2019?

Already happening but more collaborative,creative spaces encompassing, music ,art food & interactive shopping experiences, it’s no longer enough to present rows of product.

18. Currently working on?

We are just getting ready to launch 3 new products which we are really excited about, they have been in development for almost 2 years (we don’t like to rush!) so cannot wait to get them out there. We are also really looking forward to heading over to the States where we are really starting to grow, it is always so lovely introducing the brand to a new audience.

19. Advice for budding entrepreneurs?

Don’t overthink things, just give it a go. It can feel like you have to have everything right at the beginning but it never is, you learn and adapt as you go along. Make a start and be flexible along the way.

20. We’re living in a world where our attention to new innovation doesn’t seem to have longevity, how do you find your inspiration to make new waves with long-term prosperity?

I think you have to just remain true to yourselves, create things you are passionate about and hopefully others will feel the same way, the longevity can only come from producing a consistently good product which requires dedication and attention.

21. Your ultimate playlist?

Hit the link to find out.