This week we asked Harriet, Founder & Director of Spacemasks, some questions as part of our Unwind Your Mind series.

1. Tell us about yourself and your company

Following a memorable stint working with Michael Whitehall (hilarious father of Jack), agent to some amazing actors such as the late, great, Richard Griffiths, I transitioned into restaurant PR and worked with the brilliant Elizabeth Crompton-Batt on clients such as Nobu, Hakkasan and Mr Chow.

I stayed in the PR industry until I had the first of my four daughters in 2003. I have always been a stay-at-home mother but always worked from home. Firstly, I catered for friends and created mouth-watering brownies for local cafes, before realising that with my little black book and never-ending energy, I could become a virtual concierge/pa to anyone who needed assistance in getting organised. This was the most rewarding job of all and gave me the idea of becoming a homestay host. I started having overseas students, mostly from Japan, to stay during the school holidays to learn English. One of these students brought me a warming face mask and from that moment the idea for Spacemasks started to germinate.

Having suffered from depression, panic attacks and anxiety in my 20's, I instantly understood the potential for a calming warm eye mask to bring respite from screens and online stress. I decided on the space theme to emphasise the escape from earthly worries and so created the brand Spacemasks. 

Spacemasks has gone from strength to strength since leaving the launch pad in May 2017, making thousands of people much happier, more relaxed and less anxious. It's been wonderful receiving hundreds of messages telling me that Spacemasks help those undergoing medical treatment, those who find it hard to sleep, those with headaches and migraines, and those who simply want to take some time out from their hectic lifestyles.

2. What do you find helps you unwind the best?

For me, a massage (preferably with a Spacemask on for the 2^nd half) followed by a nice glass of red and an early night, smothered in aromatic face oil!  I really need my sleep.

3. How do your animals help you unwind?

It would be impossible to feel stressed whilst cuddling a Dachshund.  Also, my eldest Dachshund is excruciatingly lazy so lies like a dead weight in my arms, snoring and there is nothing more relaxing than that, despite her terrible breath!

4. What part of the business process do you enjoy the most?

Making virtual friends on Instagram who become proper friends in real life. 

5. During Covid what would you suggest is a good way of unwinding when in close proximity to your family most of the time?

Closing your office door and pretending to be on the phone or asleep!  No, seriously, give each other space, don’t fret the small stuff and make sure you go for a walk everyday to clear your head.