01 - Millie Flemington-Clare - Redefining Inclusive Beauty

Episode 1: Millie Flemington-Clare – Redefining Inclusive Beauty

In this first episode of Rolling Unfiltered, I sit down with Millie Flemington-Clare, founder of Human Beauty and a trailblazer in accessible cosmetics. 

Millie shares her journey as a disabled entrepreneur, the inspiration behind her brand, and how she’s changing the beauty industry with innovative, inclusive products. 

We also dive into her experience on Dragon’s Den, the support she received, and her big plans for the future.

Transcript

Rolling Unfiltered – Episode 1: Interview with Millie Flemington-Clare

Louisa Summerfield: Hi, and welcome to Rolling Unfiltered! I’m your host, Louisa Summerfield. Rolling has a double meaning for me—I’m a wheelchair user, and I’m also interested in hearing about the journeys and pathways of business owners. I want to know how they became the entrepreneurs they are today, what drives them, where their businesses are headed, and how personal experiences have shaped their careers.

My first guest on this first-ever episode is Millie Flemington-Clare, a disabled entrepreneur with a rare genetic disease called cystinosis (I hope I’ve said that right!). Millie recently launched Human Beauty, an inclusive beauty brand designed for everyone, including people with disabilities and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. The brand incorporates features such as anti-roll packaging, braille, audio descriptions, and color-coded systems for people who are color-blind.

Millie was recently featured on Dragon’s Den, pitching for £50,000. While she didn’t secure an investment, she did gain support from Steven Bartlett for social media and marketing, outsourcing help from Tuka Suleiman, and distribution support from Peter Jones. I’m thrilled to welcome Millie to the show!

Louisa: Millie, welcome! To start, what makes Human Beauty different from what’s currently on the market?

Millie: Thank you for having me! There are a few things that set us apart. First, all our packaging is anti-roll—whether square-shaped or heart-shaped, if you knock them over, they stay put. We’ve also designed easy-to-grip packaging with thicker, matte textures for better handling. Our eyeshadow palettes feature NaviLens and QR codes that lead to audio descriptions, allowing visually impaired and color-blind individuals to hear detailed explanations of the colors and their placement.

Additionally, all our shade names are affirmations, meant to uplift the user. We also focus on sensory-friendly formulas, ensuring products are lightly scented or unscented, with no gritty textures or heavy glitters—ideal for neurodivergent individuals.

Louisa: That’s amazing! Are there any other brands doing something similar?

Millie: There are a few, like Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. She’s spoken about designing easier-to-open packaging due to her lupus and kidney transplant, but they’re not anti-roll. As far as I know, no brand is doing everything we’re doing, from the QR codes to fully accessible packaging.

Louisa: That’s really impressive. As a wheelchair user, I struggle at beauty counters because I can’t always see the products. Have you considered how to make the in-store experience more accessible?

Millie: Absolutely! It’s something I’m pushing for. I used to work at beauty counters in department stores, and I’m 4’6” tall. The standard counter heights were incredibly inaccessible. I even met someone who designed these counters and had repeatedly proposed double-height desks, but they were always rejected due to budget constraints. It’s frustrating, but I believe if we make enough noise, luxury brands will have no choice but to adapt.

Louisa: That’s so true! You mentioned that makeup became important to you because of your height and self-image. At what age did you start using it?

Millie: I started consuming makeup content online around 13 or 14, but I didn’t experiment until my late teens. Once I stopped trying to follow the crowd and embraced my own style, makeup became a powerful tool for self-expression.

Louisa: And now, at just 26, you’re leading an inclusive beauty movement! Do you see Human Beauty as an independent brand, or do you hope to collaborate with bigger names?

Millie: Human Beauty is definitely its own brand. I want to lead the accessible beauty movement and encourage other brands to follow suit. However, it’s important that they pay disabled talent and consultants for their expertise rather than just copying ideas.

Louisa: That’s a great point. You’ve already made waves by appearing on Dragon’s Den. What was that experience like?

Millie: It was incredible! It’s always been a goal of mine. While I didn’t get the investment, I gained invaluable support. Stephen Bartlett’s team is helping with social media and marketing, and Tuka’s team connected me with someone for product sourcing. I also have a meeting scheduled with Peter Jones’ team.

Louisa: That’s fantastic. Has being on Dragon’s Den helped your business in other ways?

Millie: Definitely! Just being able to say I was on the show is a huge achievement. I’ve gained a couple thousand followers, and I had 300 orders after the episode aired! But since it’s just me running everything, I’m balancing order fulfillment, meetings, and media appearances while managing my health.

Louisa: That’s a lot to handle! Are you considering investment from other sources?

Millie: Hopefully, the exposure will attract the right investor—someone who shares my vision and understands the importance of accessibility in beauty. Connections in the beauty industry would also be invaluable, as it’s a tough market to break into.

Louisa: Absolutely. I launched Wheelie Chicks, a fashion brand for wheelchair users, in 2007, and I faced many challenges. Where do you draw the line with inclusivity?

Millie: Human Beauty is for everyone, not just disabled people. We make thoughtful design choices that benefit a wide audience. For example, anti-roll packaging helps people doing their makeup on the go, not just those with dexterity issues. That’s why I never claim our products will be perfect for everyone—beauty is subjective.

Louisa: That’s a great approach. Where do you see Human Beauty in five years?

Millie: I want it to be the Fenty Beauty of accessible beauty. I want to set the standard for disability representation and push for legislative changes requiring brands to make products accessible. Venues have legal obligations for accessibility, so why shouldn’t beauty products?

Louisa: That’s a brilliant vision! Where can people find your products now?

Millie: Right now, we’re online. I’d love to see us in stores, but at the moment, big retailers aren’t accessible for small brands. Hopefully, that will change.

Louisa: You’ve got a challenging but exciting journey ahead. It’s been inspiring to talk to you, and I’d love to check in again in six months to see how things are progressing. I really believe you’re a name to watch!

Millie: Thank you! That means so much. And thanks for having me—I’ve loved our chat.

Louisa: It’s been a pleasure. Wishing you all the success in the world with Human Beauty!