Tell us about you / your brand, how long has your brand been around, was this your first Top Drawer?

Mood lifting self-care is at the forefront of the Happy Paul name. Happy Paul was developed by a not-so-happy Paul to be a wellness brand that existed simply to make people smile. Paul, a sufferer from depression since his early teens believes that a smile represents the most basic form of wellness + a smile can be pretty contagious.The first Happy Paul fragrance launched in September 2021 and won a Pure Beauty gold award for 'Best New Wellness Product'. This was Happy Paul's first Top Drawer presenting the first collection of products aimed at creating a happy body and a happy mind but in, what Paul hopes, is a very real way.

How did you start your brand?

Paul Gerrard, founder of Happy Paul - UK Ambassador for Global Wellness Day and a Guinness World Record setter for 'The Longest Hug' - has worked in the beauty industry for over 20 years. Having lived with depression since his early teens, Paul spent much of his life looking for happy in all the wrong places, before realising that something in self-care made him feel a little happier. He believes that a smile offers the most basic form of self-care – even a fake smile. Happy Paul aims to make products that encourage simple, rewarding acts of self-care, alongside a little smile. 

Biggest highlight whilst creating and building your brand? Why is it you love what you do?

Creating Happy Paul has been a roller-coaster of a ride but one that has connected me to many a brilliant individual too. Working in collaboration with those who know far more than I and learning from each and every one of them has been an incredible education. I love ideas. I love to try to approach things a little differently and I hope Happy Paul's outlook and approach to mental health and wellness does just that. Conjuring up concepts and products that may make a little difference to my life and to those around me makes this journey all worth while. Receiving an award for the fragrance and for the Body Wash and being named by GQ magazine as a 'British Grooming brand that you should have on your radar in 2022' is definitely the cherry on the cake (if you like cherries that is).

Knowing what you do now, what advice would you give to yourself when you were first starting out?

My main struggles with this project may have been more psychological in nature. Good days were great. Bad days were less upbeat and sometimes a bit worst. I did learn (eventually) to tell myself that this was ok. On those good days I should enjoy the feeling of flying - getting as much done and making as many decisions as my energy would allow. On those bad days - rest, do as little as possible but most importantly do something that makes you feel good.

What can you tell us about your new collections/ranges that you launched at Top Drawer?

The collection was made to be refreshingly uplifting in look, scent and feel. Come and try it.

Do you have any personal favourites from your new collection?

Really? That's like asking me which of my children I prefer. Which depends which one is in the room with me at the time :P

Find out more on the the Happy Paul website, click here.