A conversation with Kate, founder of Min Sol 

When I spoke with Kate, the founder of Min Sol, it was clear that her passion for interiors, thoughtful gifts, and sustainable living was at the heart of everything she does. Min Sol is more than just a business - it’s a reflection of her love for beautifully crafted, UK-made products and a deep desire to connect with the makers behind them.

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“Growing up in a close-knit community inspired me to want to be closer to the makers I partner with.” Kate shares. "So, I made a choice very early on that I wanted at least 90% of the brands I work with to make their products in the UK. In the short space of time Min Sol has been going, I have made some lovely connections." And those connections have been meaningful, as Kate continues to say, "Just this morning a Bristol-based maker dropped off the most gorgeous candle holders she’d made and it felt really special to be able to meet the person behind the creation."

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While a physical store is a dream for the future, Kate decided to launch Min Sol online first, drawing from her background in marketing. "I’ve always wanted to have my own shop and I hope to open a physical store in the years to come, but in an ever-increasing world of online shopping, I decided to experiment by taking Min Sol online first. Having spent my corporate career working in marketing, running an online business was not too foreign to me, but I’m still learning all the time and here for all of the lessons.”

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So, what’s behind the name Min Sol? "The name for Min Sol was born out of a feeling," she explains. "The feeling I personally get when I am content. When thinking about the brand name, I wanted to create something that captures the essence of nurturing your mind, body and soul – an inner glow of lightness and contentment. I am drawn to open indoor spaces that allow the sunshine to pour through, or being outside with the sunshine on my face, so I found myself picturing dappled sunlight streaming through the window or feeling the first hopeful rays of spring sunshine. I kept returning to the idea of sunshine within. And so Min Sol (Danish for “my sun”) was born."

 

With such a carefully curated collection, I had to ask - does she have a favourite product right now? "I am in love with all of the products on Min Sol. I try everything before I sell it on the shop because it’s important to me that I have put the customer experience to the test before it features on Min Sol. The products that are stand-out favourites, I wasn’t aware of before starting up Min Sol (back in November 2024) are: Tenth Muse’s solid perfume balms – they’re a beautiful alternative to traditional perfumes full of alcohol and toxic ingredients. They come in a heavy-weight, plastic-free compact, which is a handbag accessory I can’t wait to get out in public, because of how gorgeous it looks. The scents are also beautiful – Wildflower Haze is my daytime favourite, before switching to Mojo in the evening. They have a much subtler scent and more luxurious application than traditional perfume spray - it feels like a treat to apply the balm to your skin. Neighbourhood Botanicals ‘dream, dream dream’ night facial oil - I’ve always loved the idea of skincare being a lovely daily ritual but in the busyness of life, I’ve come to see it as functional. This night facial oil is the last thing I apply to my face (from my bed) at night and, for me, it’s a beautifully simple way to have a skincare ritual that feels like it’s slowing down my mind before it works its magic on my skin overnight."

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Kate is a firm believer in slow mornings, and she has a routine to match. "I once read that our brains are like that of a baby first thing in the morning and very impressionable, so I try to avoid checking my phone until I’ve been up for at least 30 mins. I am a little obsessed with having Ancient & Brave’s ‘cacao and collagen’ in one of my favourite Dor & Tan mugs, whilst writing some sort of list. I love list writing and am often mocked for it by friends and family. I spend so much time working on a laptop, but have always loved writing things down (especially in a beautiful notebook) – ideas, things I want to do/ read/ see, or things I don’t want to forget. I’ve always found that my best ideas come to me when I have a calm mind, so I like to take advantage of these moments. I also love to walk in the morning – it’s something I did every day in lockdown and it’s become something of a ritual. Walking gives me perspective and a sense of freedom, which I find so important.”

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Navigating the world of sustainable retail comes with its challenges, particularly in distinguishing truly ethical brands from those that merely claim to be green. "The first step is accepting that I am on a journey and learning. When I am trying to distinguish between green-washing and truly ethical and sustainable craftsmanship, I have to acknowledge the gaps in my understanding and do my research. Certifications can help. Knowing that a brand has been independently audited by a certification body can offer some reassurance. For example, if a brand says they’re organic, I tend to look for the Soil Association or COSMOS logo to verify that they meet certain standards. Or if a company says they practice to high sustainability or ethical business standards, if I see the B Corp logo, I know they’ve been rigorously audited on this. However, not all businesses, especially smaller ones have the resources to apply for these certifications. Some larger businesses have a specific role dedicated to applying for B Corp certification, so this just isn’t practicable for smaller or single-person businesses. So, in the absence of an independent certification or audit, I think it’s good to ask questions, and sometimes the difficult ones. Just the other day, I asked one of the brands I partnered with for more details on their ingredients and then when I didn’t fully understand, I did my research and continued to ask more questions. I am still learning, as most of the lovely brands I partner with are, but good intentions and a willingness to learn and do the right thing are important to me and the future of Min Sol."

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And that mindset - of curiosity, care, and continuous learning - is what makes Min Sol such a special space.

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Kate kindly shared a few pieces with me, and now I find myself completely drawn to the Dook and Abel Burners collections - beautifully crafted, considered, and a pleasure to have in my home. You can shop Min Sol here.