Friday interview | Sara Phillips on building a business after a mental health crisis

By Helen Bowman

Tell us a little bit about Altruis Living?

I provide natural wellbeing products, gifts and advice to help people look after their wellbeing. I work with a small group of hand-picked partners to design, make and supply natural products such as candles, essential oil diffuser bracelets and bath salts. I also run workshops and give presentations to encourage people to be proactive about their self-care. I’ve used my personal experience of mental health issues to develop my approach to managing time and prioritising wellbeing and self-love. A few years ago, I hit rock bottom with my mental health. I had a crisis, and I quickly realised that, while I could seek outside help, my recovery was ultimately in my own hands. I developed a toolkit of products and activities that would help me recover, and I still use it to this day.

The smallest things in life can have a considerable impact, both positive and negative. I work to educate my customers about nurturing their wellbeing and why it’s essential, but I also provide toolkits that help people proactively build time into their lives so that prioritising their own needs becomes just that, a priority. Taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. And it’s so personal to each person – what works for one person may not work for the next.

We all know that taking time out to look after ourselves is not selfish. It can have a direct impact on everyone around you positively. I always say that you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you take the time to look after yourself, even for as little as ten minutes a day, the impact on positivity, productivity and stress levels can be huge, enabling you to look after others too. I’ve always been fascinated by the impact of life on us as individuals, internally and externally. I love helping people with the problems they come to me with, finding products to help them, but also using my knowledge of the body to guide them towards lifestyle changes that might alleviate their symptoms. I love helping people get to the bottom of their issues so they can be treated directly at the source as well as helping ease any symptoms.

What is the Altruis approach?

Our bodies are made of 70% water and water has a memory. Our bodies are like biological computers that record what has happened and present symptoms in specific areas.

Some of us suffer blemishes and pains in one area, while others feel them elsewhere. For example, if someone has dry lips, my first thought would be digestive issues. If the digestive system is fine, I will look at the emotional side of things, including anxiety or nervousness, which all have an impact on the stomach and bowels. 

I’m passionate about the science behind what first appear to be physical symptoms, and I love being inquisitive about what’s going on in my customers’ lives that could be causing those physical symptoms.

I don’t just sell products to help with those issues but pride myself on digging a little deeper and helping alleviate the deeper problems.

You’re obviously very proud of your business. What sort of challenges have you faced?

My mental health crisis, almost five years ago, has been my biggest challenge. My anxiety can still be crippling, but thankfully I manage to keep myself ticking over by putting time aside every day to nurture my wellbeing by doing something that brings me joy.

The biggest challenge from a business point of view was a trademark infringement case brought against me recently by a large company in Europe. They claimed my company name was too like their own, even though I’d been trading under the name for many years.

They were very fair and gave me plenty of time, but I had to change everything. It was a scary time which involved shutting the online business temporarily for a few months while I spent time and money changing the company name, logo, branding, product labels. It was a huge job and presented me with all kinds of legal and technical problems. Thankfully I got some excellent advice from organisations like the Federation of Small Businesses and the free IP surgery at the library, who kept me straight on trademarks and legal issues.

It was all for the best because I love my new brand and the name, Altruis, is an anagram of my original name and is based on the concept of altruism too – it was meant to be. My customers often tell me that the new brand looks more premium than the old one, and I now offer wholesale to therapists, shops and salons.

I’ve also faced smaller challenges such as having to work around my son. I set this business up to work around having a child, and I quite often work while he’s around. It can be problematic when he needs my help or doesn’t quite get that I’m working even though I’m sitting on the sofa. Thankfully I’m most productive in the evenings so I can be flexible around him. Isolation and having to be a jack-of-all-trades are both problematic. But surrounding myself with a network of other self-employed people helps with both.

And finally, what are your North East favourites?

My absolute favourite place to go in Newcastle is Waterstones. I love it. I love sitting in the café, looking at the books, watching people walk by. It’s such a beautiful building too.

To eat, I love The Bake in Gosforth. The food there is incredible. I love loads of flavours, so their menu is right up my street. They also recognise their customers and treat everyone as if they’re their favourite customer. It was one of the only places I felt safe when I was deep inside my mental health crisis too, so it’s special to me.

Tynemouth is my favourite place for a walk. King Edwards Bay is such a draw, especially in bad weather. I could stand and watch the waves crash with the Priory in the background, forever.

The Quayside, especially on a Sunday. I’ve always loved the Quayside and enjoyed watching it all develop over the years. It’s great for a night out, the market on a Saturday, the street food, the bridge. When it’s sunny, I could sit there for hours.

Finally, there’s a tiny place called Vicolo at the side of the Tyneside Cinema. They make the best hot chocolate, ever, and it’s so cosy and welcoming. I love the fairy lights, and the art deco feel of it. I could sit at the outside tables at any time of year, drink hot chocolate and watch the world go by.