A FORMER Bournemouth schoolgirl has combined alcohol with beauty treatments to bring to the UK the world’s first range of gin distilled with collagen.

Liz Beswick, 29, has gone into partnership with Camilla Brown to introduce Collagin.

They launched Young In Spirit, which will bring a range of collagen-distilled products to the British market.

Liz said: “We said ‘yes’ to turning our dream into reality and didn’t think how we were going to actually do it until after our rollercoaster journey started.

“But if we had really thought it all through before starting then the overwhelming reality might have stopped us in our tracks and we wouldn’t have achieved what we have done so far.

“To make this happen, I found myself doing meetings at 5am, writing to do lists and emails to suppliers whilst on the cross trainer in the gym and have sacrificed my social life. But seeing our creation in my hands makes it all worth it.”

The “gintrepreneur” grew up in Southbourne and went to St Katherine’s School and Wentworth College, moving to Oxford two years ago.

The product blends gin with anti-ageing botanicals including angelica root, pink grapefruit and star anise, which the pair say complements the effects of the collagen whilst not compromising quality. It retails online for £34.99 a bottle.

Camilla Brown, 30, added: “Working at all hours is worth it when you truly believe you are working on something special. This belief is reinforced when social media goes crazy when we post images, when people invite us to speak at events on female independence and when you overhear strangers discussing your baby. I’ve learnt that the key to a successful partnership is finding someone who complements your skills. On top of this, mine and Liz’s personalities work in sync together – when she is lacking morale or feeling overwhelmed I lift her up and vice versa.

“Passion, motivation, ambition and being nice to people is key to making a business work, especially in an industry typically dominated by men with a different attitude to business."

This feature forms part of our Monday Start-Up series. If you would like your start-up business to be featured, email businessnews@bournemouthecho.co.uk