S5 E15: Mum guilt, cash crunches and K-drama with Ning Cheah founder of The Beauty Crop

This week on Bump To Business Owner, I’m joined by Ning Cheah, founder of The Beauty Crop, mum of two, and former banker turned beauty entrepreneur. What started as a side hustle to solve her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-million dollar brand, stocked by the likes of Boots and ASOS.

In this honest and wide-ranging chat, Ning shares how burnout led her to rethink everything, the fertility struggles she faced while building a business, and the two very different maternity leaves that followed. She opens up about the realities of scaling, the pressure of cash flow, and why she chose crowdfunding and bank loans over giving away equity 👀

We talk mum guilt and what we can learn from men, support systems, and why she only ever plans three years ahead. Plus how she’s learning to let go, delegate, and make space for joy (think K-dramas and sheet masks - the dream).

Takeaways:

Ning’s career journey from finance to side hustle to million dollar business

Stress makes us neglect our wellbeing when we need it the most

Ning’s personal skin struggles made her identify a gap in the market

Naivety can be a blessing for founders

Why Ning chose crowdfunding and bank loans over equity funding

Fertility struggles and mat leaves as a business owner

Mum guilt and what we can learn from men

The challenges of scaling a business and the realities of working with retailers

Why Ning doesn’t plan more than 3 years ahead

Support networks and what a working week looks like

Where Ning finds joy

Resources:

Crowd2Fund: https://www.crowd2fund.com/

Links:

Website: www.bumptobusinessowner.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/

About Ning Cheah

Ning Cheah is a mother of two and the founder and CEO of The Beauty Crop, a clean beauty brand that has become known for its high performing plant-based products that don't compromise on fun, affordability or ethics. With a background in chemical engineering and a high-powered career in investment banking behind her, Ning's personal struggle with eczema and cystic acne led her to launch The Beauty Crop in 2014.

Now a multi-million pound business, it’s a brand that crops out harmful ingredients whilst delivering vegan, cruelty-free, nutrient-rich cosmetics in sustainable packaging. Since launching in 2014, it's become a cult favourite, stocked in major retailers like Boots, Beauty Bay, ASOS and Urban Outfitters.

Ning Cheah’s Links:

Website: https://thebeautycrop.co.uk/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ning-cheah-4310642/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebeautycrop/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeautycrop

Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Bump to Business Owner is the go-to podcast for mums who don’t want to compromise on their careers but know that traditional full time employment just isn’t compatible with family life. It’s a space for female entrepreneurs and future founders creating autonomy and a deeper sense of purpose for themselves, their business and their children.

Join your host, Caroline Marshall, founder of award winning Virtual Assistant agency Upsource and mum of two boys, in conversation with real women: mothers and entrepreneurs juggling the challenges of growing a successful business whilst raising a family.

• No. of episodes: 81
• Latest episode: 2025-05-14
• Business Kids & Family Entrepreneurship

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