If you have followed my journey for a while, you might remember that RES+ did not begin as a home fragrance brand. It actually started as Research (and more) with Emma Simpson when I was working as a research consultant. But in 2023, life shifted in a big way. I was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis and everything I thought I knew about health and balance had to change. I needed to rest, to restore and to heal. By 2024, RES+ had evolved to reflect that new way of being.
The early years
My career began in public health nutrition research back in 2010. I have always been fascinated by how our environment, habits and choices shape wellbeing. In 2019, I completed my PhD in Digital Public Health, focusing on breastfeeding and the digital tools that support new mothers. It was a meaningful time in my career and deepened my understanding of women’s health and how technology can support behaviour change.
Working in research and design
I went on to work in the public sector, first for the NHSBSA and later for Defra, before moving into freelance research for government. I also began upskilling in service design, exploring how to design better and more human public services. RES+ was born as a consultancy that combined all these skills, research, design and more. But somewhere along the way, I found myself overworking and constantly pushing for the next thing.
When health became the focus
At the time, I was super active, doing HIIT, hot yoga and always on the go. I ate well, but my body started sending me warning signs. I was experiencing severe pain during exercise, joint aches, digestive issues, fatigue and sciatica that never seemed to ease. After years of being dismissed or misdiagnosed, I finally had an answer, stage four endometriosis.
There is no cure for endo, so I had to rethink everything. My focus shifted from productivity to healing. I turned to yoga and began a deep process of inner work, supported by the team at Yoga x Life. I also returned to a civil service role so I could work flexibly and have the space to recover properly.
A new rhythm and a new purpose
The biggest change was learning to slow down. I started researching ways to reduce chronic inflammation and detoxify my home. I learned how everyday products can contain endocrine disruptors that affect our hormones and overall health. That is when I began making my own natural candles and diffusers, safe, non toxic and soothing to the senses.
What started as a small act of self care soon became something more. Candle making became a form of meditation, a ritual that grounded me and helped me reconnect with nature and calm. Friends and family began asking for them, and slowly, Rest and Restore found its true form.
Now, each product I create is made with intention, to bring stillness, balance and gentle nourishment to your home and body. Rest and Restore is about coming back to yourself, finding comfort in simplicity and reconnecting with what truly matters. It represents a quiet return to the self, a reminder to slow down and find peace in the small, steady rituals of everyday life.
It has been a long, winding road from public health research to natural fragrance, but every part of it has led me here. If my journey has taught me anything, it is that healing is not linear, and sometimes the biggest transformations come from the quietest moments.
Thank you for being part of this next chapter.
