Solihull founder Melanie Brown, is celebrating after being named a finalist for four awards in 2026. The recognition marks an exciting chapter for a business that began from a very personal experience.
What began with handmade soap has since developed into a range of natural soaps and body care products, all handmade by Melanie in small batches from her workshop.
Melanie previously worked as a solicitor before leaving the legal profession to spend more time with her family. Her journey into skincare began when her young daughter experienced severe skin problems and Melanie started looking for gentler alternatives to use on her skin. After learning how to make natural handmade soap, Melanie went on to establish Mel’s Little Luxuries. As the business developed, so did her desire to deepen her knowledge of skincare and natural ingredients. She is now a certified skincare formulator and qualified herbalist.
She has been named a finalist in the Woman Who Solopreneur Awards 2026, in both the Product and Health, Beauty & Wellbeing categories at the Female Business Awards 2026 and has secured a fourth finalist place in the Product category at the New Earth Business Awards 2026.
Melanie said: “To be recognised as a finalist once would have been wonderful, but to find myself shortlisted for four awards across three different organisations is something I genuinely didn’t expect. There have been so many times during my business journey when I’ve questioned whether I was doing the right thing or whether all the hard work was making a difference. For me, these nominations feel like recognition that it has been worth it.
Mel’s Little Luxuries started because I was a mum trying to find something gentle for my daughter’s skin. I could never have imagined then where that first bar of soap would eventually lead. I’m incredibly proud of the products I make, but I’m equally proud of the message that has grown alongside them. I want women to realise that self care doesn’t have to be complicated or take hours. Sometimes it can simply be making a little more of something you’re already doing every day.”
Melanie has a busy October ahead with the Solopreneur Awards 2026 on 9 October at the National Conference Centre, Female Business Awards 2026 on Thursday 15 October at the Victoria & Albert Marriott Hotel in Manchester and the New Earth Business Awards 2026 on 22 October at the Heart of England Conference Centre.
For Melanie, being recognised by three different organisations in the same year has made the achievement particularly significant. Today, Melanie encourages women to see everyday skincare routines differently, turning simple moments such as having a shower, washing their hands or applying body butter into small, achievable moments of self care.
She has also taken that message beyond her products through practical workshops and events, helping women look at where they can realistically fit self care into their day and encouraging them to put themselves back on their own to-do list.
“Each of these finalist places means something to me because they recognise different parts of the journey – the products I’ve created, the business I’ve built and the work I’m now doing around self care and wellbeing.
“I’m excited about what comes next for Mel’s Little Luxuries. I want to continue growing the product range, reaching more women and taking the self-care message into more practical workshops, events and conversations. I want women to leave those experiences with simple things they can actually put into practice, rather than feeling that self care is another thing they have to find time for.
“If these awards help me reach more women who need that reminder to put themselves back on their own to-do list, that would mean a great deal to me.”
