A mother of two from Walsall has revealed how she created her own business after being dismissed by doctors when seeking help for perimenopause symptoms.
Estel Jennings, 39, began experiencing signs of perimenopause at age 35, including thinning hair, brain fog, and dry mouth. When she consulted her doctor, she claims she was laughed at and told she was too young for perimenopause.
Determined to address her symptoms, Estel started using hair oil to stimulate growth and conceal her receding hairline. However, at £50 per month for a small bottle, she realized the products were not financially sustainable.
With a background in science and manufacturing, Estel decided to create her own hair oil at home. She began making batches for friends and family, tweaking the formula until it effectively penetrated the scalp.
In summer 2024, she launched Idyllic Hair and Skin on TikTok Shop and later on a website, with help from her best friend. The business gained traction quickly, selling out at the NEC Christmas fair that year. It has since been featured in Vanity Fair magazine.
Estel, who works as a special educational needs teacher, plans to leave her job to run the company full-time. She was eventually diagnosed with perimenopause by a private clinic and prescribed HRT.
Now, she aims to help others experiencing hair loss. She said, 'When people ask how I manage to work full time as a teacher and do this too, I tell them it's because of the difference it is making to so many people.'
