18/05/2026
People are often surprised when I tell them I studied Politics.
On paper, it probably looks quite different to opening a private infrared studio. But looking back, there were clues everywhere.
I’ve always had a tendency to become completely obsessed with things.
At university I convinced my dissertation supervisor to let me write about drone technology in the Middle East before it was really being covered. I loved finding the spaces people were not looking at yet.
That never really changed.
I moved into charity consultancy and worked my way from recruitment admin to Head of Project Development. Then later designed and built an entire knowledge-sharing project from scratch, securing Scottish Enterprise funding and seeing it through from idea to delivery myself.
The whole point of that project was making knowledge more accessible. Taking information that often sat behind consultancy walls and making it easier for charities to use.
Looking back now, that feels very familiar.
I have always been interested in access.
Reducing barriers.
Helping people get what they need more easily.
Health was no different.
Long before ingredient lists became trendy, I was 16 checking products on EWG, making my own shea butter creams, buying organic products and disappearing down health rabbit holes because I genuinely loved understanding it all.
I approach health exactly the same way I approach everything else, curiosity first.
Then there is my mum.
Chronic illness has shaped a lot in my life and she was one of the biggest influences behind Solāis.
I had tried to convince her to try all sorts over the years. Acupuncture, natural approaches, different ideas. Most of them were politely ignored.
Infrared was different.
It was gentle enough that she returned to it.
And honestly, seeing someone you love feel better from something simple, private and manageable brought a lot of joy.
That probably shaped Solāis more than I realised.
Because I was never interested in creating a showy wellness space.
I wanted something quieter.
Private. Thoughtful. Calm.
Somewhere people carrying a lot could access recovery more easily.
Looking back, Solāis feels less like a career change and more like all the parts of me finally meeting in one place.
And somehow July marks one year 🤍
