Meet the Founder: Kirsty Coates of BEETL
We caught up with friend and founder of BEETL, Kirsty Coates to discuss motherhood, business and wellbeing.
From herbal remedies at home to a clean skincare brand trusted by families, BEETL founder Kirsty Coates shares the personal journey behind her range of gentle, plant-powered products for children—and how she’s balancing life, motherhood, and business with heart.
BEETL began as a solution to your and your daughter’s sensitive skin. What inspired you to take the leap from idea to formulation?
BEETL was born from a very personal place. I grew up with sensitive skin, and my mum—who’s both a doctor and a herbalist—would create natural remedies for me as a child. When my own daughter started experiencing similar skin issues, I instinctively turned back to those family remedies. Watching them work so effectively on her was the nudge I needed to bring BEETL to life and share our solutions with other families.
Your mum played a huge part in the creation of BEETL. What’s the most valuable lesson she’s passed on to you—both in business and motherhood?
She’s shown me the value of dedication—showing up consistently, staying curious, and doing things properly. Her unique blend of medical insight and plant wisdom has shaped how I think about skincare: it should be gentle, natural, and truly effective. That approach is now at the very core of everything we do at BEETL.
What’s one wellness ritual you try to keep up, even on your busiest days?
Since having my second daughter, Harriet, my routines have become more flexible—but when I can, I love getting to a Barre class at Unity Studios. I also try to carve out small pauses in my day. That might look like eating lunch without my phone or stepping away from the screen for a moment. It’s not about a perfect wellness routine, but about giving myself permission to slow down, even just briefly.
As a mother and founder, how do you protect your energy and find calm in the chaos?
Life is definitely full right now. I’ve returned to my corporate role while raising two young girls and building BEETL with my amazing business partner, Tessa. On the days I work from home, I take Harriet for a walk and some time at the park before logging on—it’s a small grounding ritual for us both. I also make space for weekly one-on-one time with my eldest daughter, Tilly. I've stopped chasing the idea of perfect balance and instead focus on creating rhythm and flexibility that suits this season of our lives.
Quickfire with Kirsty
Favourite Betty Bar flavour?
Strawberry Cheesecake (though they’re all delicious!).
Matcha or coffee?
Coffee—Allpress is my absolute go-to.
Early bird or night owl?
Night owl.
Ice bath or sauna?
Sauna, every time.
Sneakers or heels?
Neither! I live in ballet flats.
