A Shopkeeper's Journey

If you have ever visited Kelvin Rooms, you might have met Emma, owner and founder of Kelvin Rooms and Kelvin Apothecary.

Slow-Living Concept

With a love for the slow living concept and lifestyle she offers through Kelvin Rooms, Emma is enthusiastic about sourcing sustainably-produced wares, and supporting small artisan makers, sustainable brands and ethical collectives across the globe. 

Emma was born and raised in Kelvinbridge, and studied at the University of Glasgow. Previous lives saw Emma as a Lawyer and before that a web developer for international banks - as well as squeezing in a ten year career in fashion modelling and a four year spell in music event management for legendary Scottish record label, Soma Records.

Her interest in retail has been a long standing one, being closely involved in her family’s businesses from a young age, and even having her own stall at The Barras for a season in her teens (selling vintage wares of course)!

Sustainability Awareness in Scotland 

Emma’s passion for sustainability stemmed from her time living in Denmark in the late ‘90’s. Copenhagen was decades ahead of Glasgow in terms of recycling and conscious living. Inspired by the Scandinavian attitude and way of life, and a strong desire to encourage a change of attitude to a more sustainable way of life in Scotland was something that was to remain for years to come.

Mother of two daughters, Emma embarked on her entrepreneurial journey after a spine injury motivated her to look beyond desk work, which led to the creation of sustainable retail brand, Kelvin Apothecary in 2020.

Stemming from an increasing frustration at the lack of sustainable options in Glasgow’s shops, the idea for the brand was born. After taking over the space which is now Kelvin Rooms in the West End of Glasgow, Emma found her calling in creating a concept store for ethical living in 2021.

The Future: Sustainable Retail for Everyone

Not only is Emma the Founder and creative leader of the brand; she is also the most passionate ambassador for all the makers, brands and products that we stock at Kelvin Rooms. It has always been Emma's vision to 'paint herself into a corner' by being part of a movement to encourage all retailers and consumer's alike into adopting a more conscious approach to shopping and retail. Emma's venture into sustainable retail has seen her exhibit her brand to world leaders at COP-26 UN Climate Change Conference, and to speak about her business model in the Steinbeis Europe Zentrum, Germany.

Emma's brand has won the LTG Global award for sustainable lifestyle shop of the year in 2023 and 2024 and the Prestige award for Homewares Store of The Year in 2024 and 2025. 

Most of our products are tried and tested by Emma personally before being sold in-store. Every fine detail is curated by Emma from the playlists to the choice of scent burning in the Rooms, the layout and design. The concept shop has a carefully sourced collection of beautiful objects for your home, including handmade soap, sustainable wax candles; ethically-sourced brushware; homewares; unique gifts; jewellery and clothing.

You’ll often hear Emma saying:

“In many ways, the store feels like and replicates my own home and way of life!” - a testament to the sustainable life that Emma practices herself and hopes to inspire others with through the store and brand.