Founder Facts: Manta Hair
This week we speak to Tim Binnington, founder of Manta Hair, the award-winning hair brush with game-changing results for healthier, stronger hair. Read on to find out why he started the Manta journey, and how the clever technology behind this revolutionary hair brush has so many women hooked.
Can you tell us the Manta Hair Brush story? Where did it begin?
I have over 30 years experience in the hairdressing industry and owned one of the UK’s largest hairdressing chains. My wife lost her hair through a life threatening illness and she wanted a hairbrush that was gentle on her new hair and she couldn’t find one. I wanted to help and make a brush that would be as gentle as running your fingers through your hair and it was then that I decided to design the Manta. Manta was and is a labour of love.
Explain the technology behind making the Manta Hair Brush. What makes it different?
The Manta is totally flexible and that is unique. The patented FLEXGUARD™ technology on the base enables each bristle to have complete 360 motion. This gently frees knots & reduces tension, minimising breakage. Created from soft touch silicone, there are no rough edges to catch or tear the hair shaft. Manta glides responsively through hair for minimum breakage & maximum shine. It is achieved by fusing to different materials together that will bond. It is called twin shot over moulding and only specific materials can fuse together successfully. It took 5 years using the best UK designers to finally succeed.
What has been your greatest success since launching the brand?
There have been so many success points, firstly being able to design a brush that would actually mould to the shape of your hand & scalp, which is not easy. Seeing the reviews from customers is so humbling as well, people have been in touch quite regularly saying what a difference Manta has made to them which really does make the hard work worth while. Obviously winning BBC1 programme ‘The Customer is Always Right’ was such a huge success. I've always wanted to give back and am so proud to support The Little Princess Trust, a charity supplying real hair wigs free of charge to children and young people who have lost their own hair through cancer treatment and other illnesses. For every 10 Manta brushes sold, I work with the charity to gift a brush to a child to use before, following and during treatment.
What has been your biggest challenge in the process of creating the Manta Hair Brush?
Selling the first Manta because to get to this point is a lot harder than I expected and it took a lot of team work, determination and belief.
What's coming next from Manta?
So many ideas, we are currently working on some limited edition colours and also a brand new technology, the initial trials have been amazing, so watch this space for more details.
What do you wish you'd known before starting the business?
I have been lucky to be involved in business for a lot of my adult life but still have so much to learn. I have loved the whole process and working with some extraordinary people with amazing talents. Like most things that are important in life, if you’d known how hard it would be, you might never have started - but the pride you feel when its a success is priceless.
What do you hope to achieve over the next 12 months?
To create more exposure for Manta and move into territories oversees. To carry on helping those struggling with hair loss, breakage, fine hair and anyone who really wants to keep their hair healthy. We are working on new models and new colours. It’s really exciting.