This month in our #KINNShip series we're talking to Kelly Marks who is co-founder of Pure Public Relations, a London based PR agency who specialize in the beauty + wellbeing and lifestyle + interiors sectors. We have been working with Pure since we launched Kinn in 2017 and they are great partners, helping us to grow our business!
Kelly has just been voted Top Ten Luxury Fashion, Beauty and Luxury Goods agencies and been placed in the UK’s top100 PR’s by industry bible PR Week. She lives and works in London and has an insatiable thirst for clean beauty (we are part of their Purer division), innovation and getting results.
When you wake up what are the first three things you do?
Say good morning to whoever is awake in my house, drink a glass of lemon water and check on emails from international clients
What does your dream day look like?
It would start with a long walk through nature; ideally a forest, a wood or the Heath. Somewhere green and brimming with life. Next up a breathwork session which is amazing at focussing the mind and uplifting the soul. I tried it recently and can’t wait to do it again. The day would also involve a full menu of treatments to include a scalp treatment, facial, massage and some healing and end with a long soak in a hot aromatherapy bath. There would be good food and music too, and I'd spend the day by myself making notes on all the ideas that filled my head while ready for an action packed tomorrow.
What is your one 'pass it on' piece of advice?
Be kind
How would you describe your personality in three words?
I asked my business partner Cara Ward to do this bit. We have been business partners for 19 years so I reckon she knows me better than most. Encouragingly she said "Intelligent, Inspirational and Funny".
Personal success. What does that look and feel like to you?
That my children are well-mannered, kind, thoughtful, and happy with a zest for life.
What's your favourite thing about your home? OR What says 'home' to you?
So many things: the view of tress from my bedroom window, my bath and nightly beauty rituals, the garden doors left open when we eat at the kitchen table on warmer days, the frames filled with photos of loved ones around the house and of course the people who live in it - my husband and children.
Where do you go or what rituals do you have for those moments you need to feel inspired or energised?
I find a long haul flight is a pretty great place for good ideas and sorting out some future planning. On the last flight I was with Cara (see above) and we brainstormed the best ideas for driving our business forward and conjured up a pretty awesome plan for a book we're writing.
Family to you is?
The best.
Favourite podcasts and other digital inspiration?
I love listening to podcasts on my daily commute. I love Full Coverage by Lindsey Kelk and Harriet Hadfield, they give an honest opinion on beauty and the beauty market. The Goop Podcast is new and is an essential weekly listen and the Fast Company have great episodes on business founders and brands.
Which five sites are always in your browser history?
Our own website PurePR, as I'm often checking our stats, writing blogs posts etc. DiaryDirectory for PR news, Amazon for quick buy essential, Victoria Health for supplements and wellness advice and Opentable which I use the entire time to book in work meetings at London's best eateries.
You set up Pure Public Relations in 1999, how has the business changes since then?
We set up to share the stories of brands we feel passionate about in the Beauty / Wellbeing and Lifestyle / Interiors sectors, and this remains the same. We are fortunate to work with brands and people who inspire us and push boundaries to be first in class in their sectors. There are more and more brands entering these markets so competition is stronger, retailers have to work harder to sell products and of course social media opening more conversations and giving more people a voice.
Your favourite beauty treatment / product?
For indulgence and generally only when on holiday, an aromatherapy deep tissue massage and for maintenance a weekly mani and at home a hair mask / face mask double bill - usually on a Sunday evening.
What would you say is the most important thing a woman should teach their daughters about beauty?
We don't need it all. Beauty has the power to create a crazy lust for 'need' and it's important to get some balance.
What is your favourite Kinn product?
For me it's the body oil. I've used it religiously over the cold snap, warmed gently on my bathroom radiator to keep my skin nourished and hydrated - ready for when the sun comes out.