A savvy mum-of-three is set to turnover £1.5 million thanks to her unique jewellery venture – which creates accessories using breast milk.
Safiyya Riyadh, 37, and husband Adam, 41, are the founders of Magenta Flowers, a company that preserves occasion flowers into keepsakes.
When they read an article on the use of breast milk being turned into jewellery over lockdown, they decided to incorporate it into their company.
Incredibly, their business has grown 480% since adopting the unique idea and they are now set to turnover an estimated £1.5 million.
The couple, who live in Bexley, London with their three children, have worked with mothers to help preserve their breast milk for decades to come – including those who have lost their babies.
They find that the beautiful pieces help to “memorialise their breastfeeding journey”.
I personally couldn’t breastfeed for a long period,” Safiyya told Jam Press
“Society puts so much pressure on women to be able to do everything, breastfeeding included.
“When I first found out that you could preserve breast milk, I wished I had known when I had my last baby as I would have loved to make my own jewellery to memorialise that time.”
“I feel there is so much stigma around breast milk and in some cases breastfeeding in public that for me, it is almost like a hidden gem.
“It provides a sentimental connection between mothers and their babies and celebrates that cherished bond.”
Magenta Flowers produces handcrafted necklaces, earrings, charms and rings.
Since the company’s inception in 2019, they have fulfilled over 4,000 orders and are projected to turnover £1.5 million in 2023. The team has also grown from the husband-wife duo to including 10 other employees.
After a customer places an order, Safiyya recommend they mail at least 30ml of breastmilk.
The couple spent time working out the formula for preserving breast milk into a wearable memento, which required considerable research and development to ensure the milk retains its colour.
Eventually, Safiyya landed on a technical process of dehydrating the liquid and combining it with high-quality non-yellowing resin to ensure the jewellery stays clear for years to come.
Their customers have included mothers who experience difficulty nursing, parents who want to mark the end of their breastfeeding journey, and people who use it as a way to cope with loss.
Safiyya said: “We know that not all mothers get the chance to breastfeed their baby, but we still want them to remember those special moments, so we also use bottled, frozen and powdered milk.
“A lot of our customers are often really sad that their breastfeeding journey is over, so the jewellery is a way to preserve and celebrate both the rewarding and challenging parts of the breastfeeding experience, allowing mothers to display their journey with pride.
“Our jewellery is about preserving those first memories, whether your baby is bottle-fed or breastfed. It’s really for any mother looking to remember the bonding moments spent with their baby.”
