Getting the benefits of ocean therapy without the cold

Ocean swimming has become very popular in recent years, with devotees extolling its virtues for its positive effect on their mood, health and overall well-being. But if you can’t face the prospect of being submerged in cold water, don’t despair. Now there is a “cheat” way to enjoy some of the benefits of sea therapy as Karen Kearney has incorporated its beauty into Soak, a range of health products to boost mood and help those with sleep, low mood, anxiety. and depression.

Soak is based in Dromore West, near the surfer’s paradise of Enniscrone in Co Sligo, and the company’s products are based around three key ingredients: Atlantic sea salt, Irish seaweed and herbs home grown.

They come in three aromatherapy flavors: Bedtime Bliss (organic lavender), Joy Connects (lime and sage) and Breathe Deep which includes orange, mint and eucalyptus and is designed for post-workout use as well as support for recover from cold and cough. .

The company’s range includes sea sprays, body oils, bath drops, scrubs and essential oil candles. There is also a gift box for those who would like to treat themselves or treat themselves with someone for a spa experience at home.

Soak started at Kearney’s kitchen table in 2021. He ran it for a while with two bath soaks until September of this year, when the range expanded to 18 products and Kearney went into business. all the while contributing to the New. Frontiers Program at ATU Sligo.

In 2023 she participated in the Acorns programme, which is run by the Department of Rural Development to support young women entrepreneurs living in rural areas.

Kearney’s background is in visual communication with an emphasis on design, photography and content. She has worked as a handbag designer for Pauric Sweeney in Dublin and as an interior designer with Murray O’Laoire Architects while keeping her act together as a DJ.

Kearney is passionate about health, especially for women as she is a single mother who survived domestic abuse and struggled with her mental health. Soak’s inspiration came when she saw her son’s emotional uplift as well as the improvement in his skin and hair when he started riding in the Atlantic Ocean.

“Soak products are made by me in very small batches. I grow my own herbs and try to source ingredients and other requirements like packaging as locally as possible, Kearney says.

Kearney, who sells it, adds: “After using some natural water and natural sea baths and I end up with a mess that needs to be fixed afterwards, I blend herbs and seaweed into a powder so you can soak in beauty without a lot of cleaning,” adds Kearney, her salesperson. products to online customers but also has a second sales method through the hospitality sector.

Kearney says: “Soak products are already used in hotels, their spas and as a guest experience, and I intend to expand this part of the business significantly. “The Soak Body Ritual is a treatment for 90 minutes dedicated to the spas while the Soak bath ritual is offered by the hotel for their guests in their rooms.

“I am also looking for a unique sales partner to work with as the products are aimed at the end of the market and those looking for a unique, local and sustainable product.”

The business is currently focused on the local market, but Kearney is interested in finding an investor who “shares his values” and can help Soak move further into the UK market. Investment in the business to date has been based on a small grant from Sligo’s local enterprise office and has been personally funded up to €20,000, with profits from sales plowed back into the business.