'I quit my job and took a leap of faith for my son'

Determined mum Georgina Tang founded a beauty empire at the age of 52 after creating kind products to ease her child's painful symptoms from chemotherapy

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While caring for her seriously ill child, Georgina Tang came up with an idea that would change the course of her family’s life.

In 2013, her 10-year-old son Alessio was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), a painful autoimmune disorder that attacks the joints.

He needed chemotherapy to ease his symptomsbut the treatment caused heartbreaking side-effects including hair loss and psoriasis, a chronic skin condition in which red, itchy patches develop on the body.

"I tucked him into bed and kissed him good night and found clumps of hair on the pillow. I broke down in tears," says Georgina, 62. "It was heartbreaking to see my own child go through that. He was very tired as well, and just didn't want to get out of bed because of the chemotherapy."

NATURAL

But Georgina saw a way to help him. In 2011 she had taken a free soap and bath bomb workshop and enjoyed it so much she had gone on to take more courses to learn about natural skin and hair products.

She created a shampoo and conditioner that helped his hair loss, and body butters and massage oil that were so effective they made his psoriasis disappear, that Alessio was discharged from the dermatology department.

It sparked an idea that led to launching a vegan, cruelty-free beauty business now called YNNY, which has won multiple awards, is loved by influencers, and turns over six figures.

"This was never the plan," Georgina says. "I was just a mum who wanted to do anything I could to stop my son suffering. Chemotherapy can be devastating for people's skin and hair.

"I realised I had the knowledge of how to make the products and I just needed to try it. Within a month of using my cream, his skin was clear. It was life-changing for him.