An Interview with Susan Mackay, Curly Sunami

About Susan

Susan provides eco-friendly curly hair care products and accessories. She also offers recommendations on how you can make swaps in your curly hair care routine to be more sustainable. 

Where in rural Scotland are you based and what do you love about living and working there?

I live in Orkney and I love it because it is just the most inspiring for us sea lovers. There is an abundance of wonderful small businesses that support and encourage each other to do well.  

When did you set up your rural business, and what inspired you to start it?

I launched Curly Sunami as a business in October 2020 after discovering that the curly hair care products I had in my bathroom was causing harm to our environment through plastic pollution and changing the PH balance in our oceans through plastic production. I had a mission to source quality alternatives and now I am able to bring these to a wide audience of eco conscious curlies.

What is the biggest challenge you face or have faced running your business in rural Scotland?

The biggest challenge I have faced is the same as any small business: funding and time.  Time to dedicate to growth, and funding that growth. Being in a rural location has never been a hindrance, in fact it has been a benefit as we have such great sources here.  Although shipping may be easier in a less rural location.

What’s been your biggest achievement so far?

Any time I inspire someone to make changes in their hair care and love their curls again is the best achievement I could ever hope for.

What support have you received?

The support from GrowBiz and our local female-owned business has been so motivating and has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and reach out to new opportunities.

Find out more about Curly Sunami here.