Here at 54 St James Street, we pride ourselves on being more than just a building; we’re a supportive ecosystem designed for businesses to thrive on their own terms. We are constantly inspired by the creativity and resilience of our virtual tenants, who prove every day that a conventional office isn’t necessary to build an incredible company.

Today, we’re thrilled to introduce you to A Spoonful of Salt, a brand that beautifully encapsulates this spirit.

Founder Bethany Neilens took the frustration of navigating conventional, non-inclusive workplaces and transformed it into a line of honest, relatable, and hilariously sarcastic fashion for the disabled and chronically ill community.

Tell us about your business

I’m the founder of A Spoonful of Salt: basically a wearable support group with a sense of humour.

I create funny, expressive clothes for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities, because sometimes laughter is the best (and only) medicine that doesn’t come with side effects.

The idea came from my own experiences living with disabilities and struggling to fit into conventional work environments. I kept finding myself in jobs that couldn’t (or wouldn’t) accommodate my needs, and I got tired of feeling like I had to choose between taking care of my health and being creative or productive. So instead of trying to squeeze myself into spaces that weren’t built for me, I decided to build my own.

A Spoonful of Salt grew from that into a mix of frustration, creativity, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. I wanted to make clothes that speak the language of our community: honest, relatable, and funny in the way only those who’ve lived it truly understand. Whether someone’s powered by mobility aids, meds, or sheer spite, I want them to find something that makes them laugh and feel seen.

At its core, A Spoonful of Salt is about taking something tough and making it wearable: fashion that’s inclusive, expressive, and has just the right amount of salt.

 

Do you have a go-to ritual to transition from “home mode” to “work mode” each morning (and vice versa)?

My ‘transition ritual’ depends on the number of spoons I wake up with. On a good day, its tea, music, and rerunning the same shows I have seen a thousand times (currently it’s The Good Place). On a bad day, its tea, more tea, and reminding myself that lying down with mental tabs open counts as working.

To clock out, I usually stretch something that probably hurts and change from my ‘work hoodie’ to my pyjamas.

 

Why did you choose 54 St. James Street?  

I picked 54 St. James Street because it’s one of the few places that manages to be both accessible and full of good vibes: which, honestly, is rarer than it should be. The community here is supportive and creative. It’s the perfect base for A Spoonful of Salt, a place that gets what inclusion really means, and lets me build something great without having to compromise comfort or community.

 

Do you have a favourite gem (a coffee shop, park, or trail) in our neighbourhood?

Funnily enough, I used to live in the Baltic Area not so long ago and the thing I miss the most? Chung Wah Supermarket.

When I am well enough, I love to cook and one of my staple menu items is Tteokbokki.

You could say I like my food like my humour: salty, a little spicy, and probably not for everyone.

 

What would be your top tips for anyone looking to start a business?

My top tip? Don’t wait for the perfect moment, it doesn’t exist. If I’d waited until I had full energy or a flawless plan, A Spoonful of Salt would still be a doodle in my notebook. Start messy, start tired, but start.

Build a business that works with you, not against you. Especially if you’ve got chronic illnesses or disabilities. Rest isn’t lazy, it’s strategy. Your boundaries aren’t barriers; they’re your business plan and part of your story.

And finally, keep your humour close. Things will go wrong, but if you can laugh through the chaos, you’ll always find your way forward.

 

What does the future hold for your business?

Honestly? The future of Spoonful of Salt looks bright, bold, and probably a little sarcastic.

I want to keep growing the brand into a real community expanding our designs, collaborating with other disabled creatives, and getting our message (and humour) out into the world. There’s such a hunger for fashion that feels authentic, inclusive, and actually gets what it’s like to live with chronic illness or disability.

Long-term, I’d love to see A Spoonful of Salt expand from UK to Worldwide, and maybe even more conversations about what accessibility and expression can look like.

But mostly, I just want to keep making people laugh, feel seen, and look good doing it: one salty, spicy t-shirt at a time.

 

Anything else you would like to tell us about:

I want people to know that disabled and chronically ill folks aren’t fragile. We’re creative, funny, and often powered by sheer determination (and caffeine). If A Spoonful of Salt can bring a bit of laughter, confidence, or comfort to someone’s day, then I’m doing exactly what I set out to do.

Oh, and one more thing… if anyone says fashion can’t be inclusive and have attitude, send them my way. I’ve got a t-shirt for that.

Contact details

Website: www.aspoonfulofsalt.com
Phone: (+44)0161 563 0993
Email: beth@aspoonfulofsalt.com
Social Media:
www.instagram.com/a.spoonfulofsalt
www.facebook.com/aspoonfulofsalt
www.linkedin.com/in/bethanyneilens