UKE is a personalised New Zealand-made haircare brand born out of a shared vision and a passion for healthy hair and scalp. On a mission to create something unique, Kathryn Laverock and her business partner Michael wanted to provide haircare that goes beyond the ordinary – haircare that is as unique as the person using it. Drawing on years of experience as a hairstylist, and listening to the wants and needs of her clients, co-founder Kathryn was inspired to create products that feel luxurious, while being gentle and customisable. Backed by professionals and powered by science, UKE is designed to target multiple hair goals in one bottle, using clean formulas and calming fragrances. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about growing a business alongside family life, and the inspiration and challenges that have shaped UKE‘s journey so far.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
As a hairstylist, I’ve spent years behind the chair listening to what clients truly want: products that perform beautifully, feel luxurious and are genuinely good for their hair and scalp. I was inspired to create UKE Haircare as a reflection of that. UKE is a New Zealand-made, cruelty-free, small-batch haircare line that combines nature and science in balance. The idea was to bring professional-grade results home, with formulas that are clean, customisable and infused with a calming “New Zealand retreat” fragrance to turn everyday care into a ritual.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
UKE began as a shared vision between my partner and I – both passionate about quality, transparency and a pure formulation for all walks of life. We started small, formulating and testing each product ourselves alongside a New Zealand cosmetic scientist to ensure every ingredient had purpose. From hand-labelling our first batch in the salon to refining our refillable bottle designs, it’s been a true labour of love that’s grown organically through word-of-mouth, salon partners and supportive clients who believed in what we were creating.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
Our biggest breakthrough was developing the customisable “Booster System”. It allows customers to personalise their haircare by adding targeted boosters like Volume Inject or Colour Protect into their base shampoo. This innovation not only empowers people to tailor their routine to their hair’s needs, but also reduces waste by using one core formula with adaptable benefits. It perfectly captures our philosophy: less clutter, more intention.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
Balance is something I’m constantly learning. As a mum of two little girls, life is beautifully full and UKE was built around that reality. I’ve learned to embrace flexible working hours, involve my family where I can and prioritise presence over perfection. The brand itself reflects this balance; it’s about slowing down, caring consciously and creating calm moments in the everyday chaos.
