Working with your mum is something people often ask me about. They either think it sounds like a dream or a complete disaster. The truth is, it is neither — it is something much more meaningful than that.
I work alongside my mum, Deborah Mitchell, at Heaven Skincare, the luxury British skincare brand she founded. Growing up, Heaven was never just a business. It was part of our everyday life. I remember product samples on the kitchen table, conversations about treatments over dinner, and the constant drive to improve, refine and perfect everything.
Watching my mum build a respected skincare brand from the ground up shaped the way I see business. I saw the hard work behind the awards, the persistence behind the press features, and the resilience required to grow a brand in such a competitive industry. It gave me a deep respect for entrepreneurship long before I officially joined the company.
Working together now is intense, but in a positive way. My mum has incredibly high standards, and rightly so. Quality is never compromised, and results always come first. Being in that environment pushes me to think bigger and work smarter. We both care deeply about Heaven, which means discussions can be passionate, but they are always rooted in wanting the very best for the brand.
Over time, I have carved out my own role within the business. I focus on e-commerce, branding, packaging, digital growth and supporting our professional training through Heaven Training Academy. Where my mum brings decades of treatment experience and instinct, I bring a modern marketing perspective and long-term scaling vision. That balance between experience and evolution is what makes our partnership strong.
Of course, working with family comes with challenges. Boundaries can blur, and it is sometimes difficult to switch off from work conversations. However, there is also a level of trust that you simply cannot manufacture in a corporate setting. We know each other’s strengths, and we respect them.
What makes me most proud is that Heaven remains independently owned and proudly British. In an industry dominated by huge global corporations, there is something incredibly powerful about building a luxury skincare brand as a family. Every product launched, every customer testimonial and every successful student from our academy feels personal.
Working with my mum has taught me resilience, emotional intelligence and the importance of protecting a legacy. Heaven is not just a business to us — it is a story, a reputation and a responsibility.
And building it together is something I will never take for granted.
