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Cyprus

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Beds
Cyprus

The Widest Selection of Beds in Cyprus at the Best Prices in the Region

Sleep is an essential part of our lives, and it is imperative to get enough of it to feel rested and ready to take on the day. Proper sleep influences all aspects of our everyday routine: it increases productivity, enhances mood, and positively impacts our relationships with people, as well as improves physical form alongside mental health. One of the most critical factors in achieving a good night’s sleep is having a comfortable and supportive bed. Your sleeping place is the oasis where you spend almost one third of your life, and it should be almost perfect if you want to wake up every day feeling energised and unstoppable. If you are looking for beds in Cyprus to ensure the best night’s sleep possible, you are in luck, as Askona offers a range of high-quality beds, guaranteed to meet your needs.

One of the key benefits of purchasing a bed from Askona is a wide selection of available options in numerous sizes and styles, which ensure that there is something for every possible taste and need. Whether you’re looking for a king-size bed for your master bedroom or a twin bed for a guest room, Askona has it all, and there is no need to search for beds in Cyprus anywhere else – all the models you need are under one roof. All bed frames are made from high-quality, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic materials that are suitable for children and adults and are designed to last for years. Furthermore, Askona is one of the most well-known and respected manufacturers, ensuring that the quality of the purchased products is truly unrivalled.

In the modern world, a bed is so much more than just a piece of furniture that we sleep on during the night. Beds are manufactured in different shapes and styles to serve every need of the customer, and before you decide to roam the stores for idyllic beds in Cyprus, one has to decide upon the preferable style and the size of the future bed. If you are looking for a classic and elegant bed, traditional models from Askona can become a great option. They come in a variety of styles and upholstery materials and you can find a perfect model to complement an already existing bedroom décor. However, if you are working long hours, doing a lot of sports or other physical activities and thinking about some additional body support at night, it is worth considering purchasing an adjustable bed base that can be raised or lowered at the head and feet areas to ensure the maximum level of support and comfort.

When searching for beds in Cyprus for small rooms and spaces, it is crucial to understand that every square inch matters and the bed should not only be comfortable but also practical. If you feel that you need some extra storage space for pillows, blankets or maybe even clothes and accessories, a bed with storage space will become a perfect solution. These beds are originally designed to feature built-in storage drawers or shelves without taking up extra room in the bedroom.

It truly does not matter what beds in Cyprus you are searching for, as Askona is undoubtedly the best shopping option. Save your time, and visit one of our stores, from where you will not leave empty handed, as there is always something for everyone: impeccable customer service, the widest range of sleep products in Cyprus and premium-class quality – all at Askona! 

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Austria

Top 10 Yacht Charter Spots for Party Lovers

The Mediterranean party scene is as much a part of a superyacht charter holiday as secluded hideaways, boutique shopping and thrills on high-powered water toys, and although you can easily host your own private party aboard your luxury yacht or on a beach, the bars and clubs of your destination are as much a part of the local flavour as the galleries, museums and other tourist attractions.Another great company is bvi yacht charters. The world’s top DJs flock to the Mediterranean for the largest parties and festivals in the world and quite often new talent and rising stars will appear at these 10 Mediterranean party destinations.

1. Ibiza, the Balearic Islands
It will come as no surprise that the Balearic Islands in Spain have a long established reputation as the party capital of the Western Mediterranean and it is unlikely to change anytime soon. Mixed in with the traditional architecture and high-adrenaline fun along the sandy beaches is a roaring night scene that doesn’t need to wait until the sun goes down to get the party started.

Ocean Beach in Ibiza creates a fantastic pool party atmosphere right beside the waterfront so that you never miss those gorgeous sunsets as you dance to live music and sip a heavenly cocktail prepared by one of the friendly staff.

While you’re in the area, follow in celebrity footsteps and head to Playa d’en Bossa and the Sa Trinxa bar for music from local legend Jon Sa Trinxa.

2. Porto Montenegro, Montenegro
Setting standards high since its opening in 2010, the Porto Montenegro Yacht Club offers the height of luxury in an area known for its boutique stores, lavish spas and top of the range accommodation.

Whether you are stopping by for a day and want to soak in the atmosphere or host your very own sparkling affair, Porto Montenegro has everything for a simply unforgettable superyacht charter.

3. Porto Cervo, Sardinia
Home of the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta which took place earlier this month, Porto Cervo knows how to cater to the luxury yacht charter crowd with fine dining, lavishly decorated surroundings and music to get you on your feet and dancing through the night. The world’s top DJs regularly take part in events in the area and the burgeoning nightclub scene will always have something to offer visitors to the area.

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda located at the edge of the marina is the first place to kick off your evening with exquisite meals along the pool-side terrace and a great selection of drinks at the bar. Sottovento and the Billionaire’s Club are two other alternative venues that have a long-established reputation in the nightclub scene, but half the fun of a holiday away from home is making your own discoveries far from the well-beaten track – and this seaside town will not disappoint.

4. Hvar, Croatia
After a long day among the natural treasures of the Dalmatian Coast, sit back with some smooth Jazz at the Central Park Club in the town of Hvar. Located only meters away from the port of Hvar, Central Park Club is conveniently close to your luxury yacht and has a fantastic variety of cocktails and options for dinner while you’re entertained by the band playing blues or swing.

The landmark of St Stephen’s Cathedral is surrounded by nightlife options: restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs all add to the scene and in the summer months the parties can last all night long. Epitomising this ‘out until the break of dawn’ mindset is Pink Champagne, a club that opens its doors from 2 am until 6 am and is open every night throughout the summer months. Sit aside an watch the action from the VIP area or get on the dancefloor and bang your head to the beats with several resident DJs keeping your night on track.

5. Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos needs no introduction among the party crowd, but visitors to the island might not be aware of the extent to which Nammos Beach Bar goes to serve guests arriving by luxury yacht: Along with an exclusive transfer service, they will organise parties on board your superyacht and deliver food directly for those times when you’ve done too much in the day yet still want a sample of the local lifestyle.

The island itself is divided into a more sedate beach lifestyle up north while the southern shores are dedicated to all adrenaline-rushing pursuits – the perfect place to try out all the superyacht water toys. During the day, the burgeoning tourist industry pampers visitors with luxury goods, bespoke boutiques and spas and for lunch there is plenty of tapas bars, cafes and restaurants to choose from.

6. Aiya Napa, Cyprus
The rugged coastline of Cyprus has been a popular tourist destination for decades and its bar and club scene has built up around a tourist industry catering to the younger generations.

The Castle Club is considered by many to be Aiya Napa’s best venue for techno, trance, hip-hop and R&B and you and your guests can experience the VIP treatment away from the crowds up in the luxury lounge of Arena 5.

Pepper Bar Lounge is another great setting for a night on the town: their cocktails are legendary, the music is smooth and the servings of sushi are not to be missed.

Nearby Nissi Beach is known to host foam parties and an assortment of bars for a loud and lively night on the tiles. Return in the daytime and capture the picture perfect sights of one of the most stunning beaches in Cyprus… but be sure to arrive before 10 am because this attraction is no secret.

7. Cannes, France
Following the Cannes Film Festival, one party melts into the next for a season of sizzling entertainment. Exclusive bars such as Le Baoli offer a sophisticated atmosphere with a dress code to match, while charter guests looking for a more informal evening that’s just as high end will appreciate Gotha Club, which has been frequented by Paris Hilton and Leonardo di Caprio in the past.

8. Port Hercule, Monaco
The French Riviera almost seems like one non-stop party from the first day of the Cannes Film Festival until the final moments of the Monaco Grand Prix, and Monaco welcomes visitors with open arms. Days of music festivals can fill your charter holiday in this location alone, with Jazz nights, R&B and contemporary pop filling the evening air.

The heart-pounding year-round night life gains even more energy during the summer months, when Port Hercule witnesses the action of the Monaco Grand Prix. Visitors to the area will be spoiled for choice for where to spend the evening, although La Rascasse, Jimmy’z and Zelo’s Restaurant, Bar & Nightclub are local institutions well worth your time.

9. Saint Tropez, France
Another famous party spot along the French Riviera, Saint Tropez adds to the summer events through its thriving party scene. Of the most lauded is Les Caves du Roy where the intricate and vibrant interior sets the stage for a night of drinks and dancing to the beat of the best music in St Tropez.

If Saint Tropez proves too crowded at the time of your visit, nearby Ramatuelle and Pampelonne has a great selection of clubs and places to dine. Nikki Beach and Club 55 take the top spots for party-goers searching for an electric night in beautiful beach-side locations.

10. Paceville, Malta
Majestic and mystical, Malta has all the beauty of ancient times as well as a firm head in the here and now: St Julian’s district in Paceville is central in Malta’s party scene and tourists have an assortment of entertainments to fill the moonlight hours. The aptly named Twenty Two nightclub is located on the 22nd floor of the Hilton Hotel, Malta‘s tallest building. Whether you sit back with a cocktail listening to music form the 80s to the present, or take to the dance floor, you will be surrounded by finery arguably unmatched anywhere else in the region.

Match your Mediterranean party holiday with the perfect superyacht to meed your needs: Whether you are looking for a sailing yacht with a Jacuzzi or a 50m/164ft+ motor yacht with all the spa facilities for rest and recuperation from a big night out, the friendly brokers at Charterworld
can assist you. Contact CharterWorld today for more information, or peruse the Mediterranean superyachts for charter.

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Arts

#GirlBoss: Clare Villar Military Artist on finding her niche

Any GirlBoss knows the challenges of working in a male dominated environment, but it is one where Clare Villar strives. Her wonderful animal portraits have been commissioned by A-list celebrities and her impressive military artwork has gotten her an audience The Queen.

We catch up with Clare Villar and talk about how she carved out a niche for herself in such a unique industry, the complexities of her work, and how timing, focus, and positivity can make the difference in achieving your dreams. For Clare Villar, her incredible military art work has made her a shining star amongst brass medals.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. What made you decide to become a military artist? Have you always had a connection with the military?

I actually trained as an Illustrator from Falmouth University in 1995. After qualifying, I decided to go to London where I worked for various publishing houses before getting married and moving to Ludlow, Shropshire in 1999.

I had been doing my animal portraits as a hobby and actually had a waiting list of a few months. It was at this point I decided to take the leap of faith to pursue my dream of being a full time artist. My husband was serving with the Royal Mercian Lancastrian Yeomanry at the time; and the current Colonel, David Leigh, commissioned me to do a Roll of Honour. Rolls of Honour where popular about a hundred years ago and they depicted the fallen soldiers; names from the wars. Our idea was to reinvent it to include the current serving soldiers names. It took about six months to design the Roll and another three to four months to produce it.

Could you explain to our readers what kind of artwork a military artist does?

To describe my Rolls of Honour, they are approximately A1 in size and depict all the current serving soldiers names hand written in calligraphy with hand painted cap badge, they normally contain about 650 to 700. Once I have completed an enormous one for the Loyal Edmonton Regiment in Canada, which included 979 names and over a thousand miniature maple leaves.

I am so lucky to have found a totally unique niche market with my artwork. My work has been presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, and Prince Edward. In 2018, I won the Business Excellence Award for my military artwork and in July 2018 I was selected as a finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Creative Industries.

My artwork has enabled me to travel around the world, to Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Germany with potentially other countries in the pipeline. The Australian Invictus Games Team commissioned a Roll of Honour to depict their competitors in 2018 and my WW1 Roll of Honour was presented to government VIPs in Canada.

You also work on some fabulous animal portraits – do you have a favourite piece/subject?

I started my career doing animal portraits.I still love doing these as it’s so different and a welcome break from my military artwork, although that has now reached a different level too. I have been commissioned by various public figures such as Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, Trisha Goddard, and Will Greenwood to name only a few. My favourite piece was when I was commissioned by Nick Mason a few years ago to paint all four of his black labradors. It was amazing and I am very lucky to exhibit at his house every two years, which he opens to the public.

I have also just been given the most amazing opportunity to work with Louise Kennedy,who is internationally recognised as one of Ireland’s most successful fashion designers. Their flagship store is in Belgravia in London, and I get to work with her on a new clothing range, specifically in regard to my animal portraits. It is an exciting project and I have to keep pinching myself that it is actually happening!

Girl Bosses are fearless and confident – and you are constantly dealing with Generals, Coloners, and Brigadiers. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as a GirlBoss so far?

Working in a very male dominated environment has made me fearless and confident, but generally the type of people I deal with are polite, professional, and treat me with the utmost respect.

The challenges I face on an a daily basis have to do with the complexity of my artwork. I can’t make any mistakes otherwise I have to start from scratch, and when you are writing 650/700 names in calligraphy then a huge amount of concentration is needed. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced was whether or not I was going to be taken seriously as an up and coming military artist. I’m competing with mainly male artists in this field, but my advantage has been that my artwork is completely different from anything else on the market.

My biggest challenge as a GirlBoss is juggling all aspects of my life from family, career, and my artwork. I am in charge of my own destiny and if I had any advise for any women out there, worried about taking the plunge into uncertainty, is that timing is vital. You need to be ready to take the plunge and do your homework. You hear every day that you can achieve your dreams, which is true, but it comes down to hard work, belief, drive, and passion. Without these it won’t work, you have to be ready to take the knock backs and rejection, but this will make you stronger and more determined to succeed.

You need to have a positive outlook because negativity won’t achieve anything. There are a lot of women in business that I respect and learn from. Lady Karren Brady being one of them as she is supporter of my business, her outlook and message is clear and incredibly powerful. We can all succeed, it’s up to us to determine our future and our success.

Check out www.clarevillarmilitaryart.com for Clare’s Military Artwork and www.clarevillar.com to see her lovely animal portraits.

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Cyprus

The Facts About Earrings

Whether we go for stud earrings with inset gemstones, drop earrings, or 20mm gold hoop earrings, we are creating a look that is to get us noticed beyond just a plain look. Hoop earrings can create a pleasing look or a bolder look still if we go for a bigger loop. Gold is considered a luxury choice and the preferred choice by many. 9ct gold is affordable, and as with any gold purchase, an investment in precious metal.

History of Earrings

Earrings have been around for 7,000 years. Their origins can be traced back to ancient Asia. The Egyptians would wear earrings as a symbol of wealth and being of a higher class. Conversely, in Rome earrings were worn only by slaves, and in Greece, by prostitutes. Today, earrings are worn by the majority of women, whether they choose to have their ears pierced or not. When they don’t, for whatever reason, there is always the clip-on alternative to make earring wearing possible.

The earliest earrings that have been discovered by archaeologists relate to ancient Sumerian women. This dates them to possibly as far back as 2500 B.C.E. These earrings would typically be gold hoops. If you want to represent this original look, then the 20mm gold hoop earring would represent a perfect choice. They are not too big to handle and move around with and are hooped earrings of the same material as was originally used.

Earrings made of twisted wire, pendants, and beads were popular in Crete, Cyprus, and Aegean.

History of Ear Piercing

Ear piercing, which allows people to wear the hoop earring style for one, dates back as far as 5,000 years. The holes found in the earlobes of King Tutankhamen’s mummy are evidence that the Egyptians pierced their ears. King Tut, as he is more informally known, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. His remains were discovered in a pyramid in Egypt by Archaeologists Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in 1922.

Different Styles of Earrings

The different types or styles of earrings include:

Hoop Earrings – are round and in the shape of hoops, although also available as ovals, squares, and triangles.

Stud Earrings – a small style that fits snuggly onto an ear lobe.

Cluster Earrings – comprising several gemstones as opposed to the one single stone set in stud earrings.

Drop Earrings – where more length is required. They hang below the earlobe.

Dangle Earrings – dangle and typically of a more intricate design than drop earrings.

Chandelier Earrings – resemble ornate chandeliers and are a type of dangle earring.

Threader Earrings – are a thin piece of metal that threads through and hangs over both sides of an earlobe.

Huggie Earrings – as the name implies, hug or wrap around the earlobe.

Jacket Earrings – have a stone or latch in the front to hold the earring in place, while part of the earring sits behind the ear.

Ear Climbers – are a newer and trending style that, rather than dangle downwards, start at the base and climb up the earlobe.

Materials Earrings are Made From

Earrings tend to be made from precious metals such as gold, silver, or platinum. If you want to avoid nickel from being mixed in because your skin might react, then go for gold that is 14K (14ct) or above or Sterling silver which is 925. That is 925 parts silver with perhaps copper added in as the other metal to give the earring strength. Platinum is the most expensive of these options. Gold is the most popular look with earrings and is very affordable as 9K (9ct). This is a popular and suitable option for most people’s skin.

Platinum earrings studs, known for their durability and timeless elegance, are a popular choice for those seeking high-quality jewelry

Any piece of gold jewellery can be considered an investment piece. This includes gold earrings that have this precious metal as their material. You always have the meltdown value of the gold. Not that beautiful pieces will be melted down for their scrap gold value when beauty is adding to their resale value.

It is good to know that there are so many choices when it comes to earrings. If you want something that stands out just that little bit more than a stud, then go for small diameter hoop earrings, such as 20mm. 9K (9ct) gold is the choice of the majority of earring wearers. They have that shiny and luxurious look while remaining affordable.

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Cocktails

#CocoDrinks: Booze News

Here at #TeamCoco HQ we are partial to a drink or two, and we figured it was time to give you a little round-up of the latest booze news from the UK and beyond.

If you are a lover of cocktails, a gin fan, a martini drinker, or if Sake is your tipple of choice we’ve seriously got it covered for you in this little round-up.

King of Soho – Variorum Gin

The King of Soho Variorum Gin is a pink berry edition of the King of Soho London Dry Gin. This bespoke libation with notes of fresh strawberry and floral chamomile compliment the classic juniper and citrus flavours of the original recipe and is sure to tingle the taste buds.

Priced at £29.99 for 70cl, available from Distillers Direct.

City of London – Rhubarb & Rose Gin

From the City of London’s only gin distillery and inspired by our British love affair with the homegrown flavours of rhubarb and rose, this super premium gin makes a refreshing drink. City of London Distillery Rhubarb & Rose Gin is a beautifully refined gin that balances the delicate notes of rhubarb and rose with the traditional juniper forward base of City of London Distillery Gins.

Priced at £34.99 for 70cl, available from Sainsbury’s.

Whitley Neill – Parma Violet Gin

A luxurious handcrafted gin; Whitley Neill Parma Violet Gin has bright, vibrant flavours of fresh juniper followed by an herbaceous floral note from the Violet and a touch of citrus and spice on the finish. Perfect for sipping over ice and pairing with cocktails and long drinks, the aromatic violet flower infuses a subtle floral note to the smooth English gin base for a vibrant and intense taste of Italian elegance.

Priced at £25 for 70cl, available from Morrisons.

Liverpool – Rose Petal Gin

Organic Liverpool Rose Petal Gin uses the timeless, floral aroma of rose petals to create a delicate and aromatic gin that is tenderly fragrant. It features citrus for sharpness and background notes of sweet liquorice, warming cassia and piney juniper to complement the long rose finish on the palate.

Priced at £56 for 70cl, available from Harvey Nichols.

Negroni Kit – Martini

This fab little gift set includes a bottle of MARTINI Riserva Speciale Bitter, plus a bottle of MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino, a rocks glass and bar spoon. All that’s left to add is a serving of your favourite gin. Finish with some ice and a slice of orange garnish, and the cocktail creation is complete.

Priced at £35 for the kit, available from Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Amazon.

Four Fox – Saké

International brand Four Fox Saké has arrived in the UK, spearheaded by London entrepreneurs Oliver Proudlock and Fraser Carruthers.

Four Fox produce only one batch of Saké every year, which means this drink will be much sought after. A liquor as smooth and elegant in its packaging as in its taste, Four Fox Saké places the utmost emphasis on quality. The unique creation originates in the mountains of Niigata and is made with only the purest of ingredients, the cleanest snowmelt water and 100% local Gohyakumangoku rice of the highest grade.

Priced at £35.60 for 72cl, available online via Amathus Drinks.

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Cyprus

#GBOGB – Kelly Levell, We do Ethical

Sustainable and ethically-sourced fashion is close to our hearts here at #TeamCoco and we are always looking to find UK entrepreneurs who champion this industry. Kelly Levell of We Do Ethical is the perfect example of this, not only does she run her own successful sustainability consultancy, she also is the girl boss behind We Do Ethical’s Not-For-Profit organisation.

Emma Harrison spoke to Kelly about her mission to motivate people and businesses to be more eco-friendly, why the world of fashion needs to be more sustainable and how a sandman in Ayia Napa was the catalyst for naming her business!

Can you give the House of Coco readers an insight as to who you are and what We Do Ethical is?

I’m a person who loves to discover and share ways to live better and encouraging others to be the change towards better living is my passion. I founded We Do Ethical in 2009 on my second year of study at university. It started with a project that aired on ITV News called “What Is Fast Fashion?” to raise awareness of how and where clothing is made.

I soon realised that fashion is nowism and an influencing industry that was not just about clothing. Being ethically minded is a lifestyle choice and through my research I found that this market sector was something that had huge growth potential and was also something that I really loved!

So, on my final year of study I set up my Not-for-profit (NFP) organisation, with the help of ITV Fixers. Once I had graduated, I soon moved to London and worked writing freelance for publications, PR companies and started work on my own fashion shows, events, WeDoReDo workshops and shopping stalls to give ethical living a glamorous platform.

What was the inspiration and vision behind We Do Ethical?

With the knowledge that fashion is the second largest polluting industry on earth, I looked for ways to create fashion without harming people and planet… upcycling and recycling clothing. This was the start of my journey to live life sustainably but also in style. I started sharing my tips and the products from brands that I loved to help spread the message of buying better to create my vision for a more eco-friendly and socially responsible future.

Your business is divided between your consultancy where you advise businesses on how to be more sustainable and your NFP which runs a series of community programmes? Do you have a different approach to each part of the business?

You could say that I started backwards really, with my NFP before the business. The consultancy started four years after I had founded the NFP. I keep the same approach for both because they are both solving the same problem and building a greener future, just in different ways. The nfp org focuses on helping people/ consumers and my consultancy focuses on assisting brands and businesses to be more conscious of how they buy and what they use day to day.

Was it a ‘lightbulb’ moment or was it more of a slow burning process?

There was one moment I remember fondly… Whilst on Nikki beach, Ayia Napa, my best girl friend from university Jade and I built a life-sized sand man, then sat next to him and got talking about what I could call my organisation. At the time I was upcycling lots of clothing, redoing clothes and selling them at festivals as a pop-up shop. Jade said, “So what do you actually do?” I shouted out… “We do re do,” and that was the first name I got up running with.

Now I had a name for my brand, I set myself a plan and this has grown each year. It has been slow burning in some ways as each year I learn more myself, so I push a new message, take on a new member of staff and develop my key messages. But on the other hand, I always knew what I wanted, so from that lightbulb moment with the name, everything is moving as it should.

Has sustainable fashion always been important to you?

No way! When I was at school, I used to buy all the fast fashion in the high street shops… luxury handbags, shoes, little black dresses’… the list is endless. I was obsessed with getting as much as I could for as little money as possible. I would have my friends stay over at the weekend, get them well styled in my outfits and head off into town to dance the night away; without a second thought about who made my clothes or where they came from. I was uneducated and buying blind.

Did you have any fears or worries when launching your business and how did you overcome them?

This biggest fear for me when starting my business was being self-sufficient. This is something I have always needed to be, and I feel like I carry that same courage and responsibility through to my business. It’s the biggest fear that actually never goes away for me and I guess this is natural when you run your own business. To overcome this fear, I set goals in time frames and working through the tasks, it all falls into place nicely.

How would you describe your business?

My work encourages people and businesses to be eco-friendlier and socially responsible. I find better products and services for people and businesses to use, products with a purpose that reduces the harm to people, animals and our planet.

What were your goals and objectives when you set up We Do Ethical and how are you achieving these objectives?

Our main goal is to help people be the change we need to see in our world for a more ethical and sustainable future.

By running our four community programmes and projects, we achieve our objectives to care, nurture, unite and love ethical and sustainable living.

  • We care by reducing the amount of clothing going to landfill; recycling/ upcycling over ten tons of clothing per year throughout Dorset.
  • We nurture by educating people through workshops and talks at schools, festivals and universities and community events.
  • We unite people with ethical brands, products and organisations online and through our events.
  • We love to share stories and our discoveries through the press, magazines, tv, radio and social networks to raise awareness and inspire positive change.

Looking back to when you were first coming up with the initial business concept, what advice would you give to yourself (knowing what you know now) and would you change anything?

Looking back at the old me now, when I was setting up my initial business concept, I would give myself the advice of being patient and strategic. I realise now that I was slightly ahead of my time and that the industry needed some more time to grow.

Sustainability is a key element of We Do Ethical – how important is having a sustainable business and using ethically-sourced products to you?

It’s important to me to have ethically sourced products and it’s my passion to show other people the importance too. I think that most businesses will migrate to having more ethically-sourced products in time, as it will become ‘the norm’ eventually.

You also run Love Dorset which is a community festival designed to encourage residents and business owners to become eco-friendlier and socially responsible – can you please tell me a bit more about this?

Love Dorset is an interactive festival I recently set up, which takes place during Fairtrade Fortnight. I discovered there were ten Fairtrade towns in Dorset and thought that was something worth celebrating. The two-week calendar of events lists fair-trade and other eco-friendly events and activities from film screenings to pop-up shops for the local people and businesses within the community to get involved.

You are also involved with Miss Dorset (and from next year – Mr Dorset) where you act as a sustainability consultant? Can you tell me a bit more about what your role is and how you are making the competition more sustainable?

I was asked by Julia Morley to meet with a lovely lady at the Miss World offices in London, back in 2013. The lovely lady was Angie Beasley, Miss England Director. She loved what I was doing with WeDoReDo, up-cycling clothes and asked me to judge the Miss Eco Award at the finals.

This year will be my 5th year judging the award and I am so proud of all the young ladies. With over 50 contestants who create the show stopping up-cycled outfits, coming together on the catwalk for the eco fashion show each year.

I’ve also introduced award rounds like Miss Fairtrade, Miss Natural Beauty and Miss Ethical Vision into the Miss Dorset regional heat that I organise, where the contestants are quizzed and judged on their skills. It’s a great project and I have really enjoyed changing the public’s perception of the contest, because it’s about much more than skin deep beauty these days.

Do you have any people that you personally look up to in business and have you been able to use this within your own business?

I have been very lucky to know and work with some really great people through my career. Recently, I’m really enjoying working with Sunny Bird, she runs a PR company that’s a really KPI focused service for your business as well as the usual service of looking after your press and social media channels. Working with Sunny, our annual brand reach of 1 million, went to 12.8 million in 4 months, which has attracted some great new sponsors to us.

What has been the most surprising thing that you have learnt about running your own business?

I am surprised every day and learn new things about running my business every day. My business life is full of ups and downs and you need to remember your successes and learn from your mistakes to have more positive than negative surprises in the future.

What do you feel has been the defining moment so far for We Do Ethical?

The defining moment for We Do Ethical so far is the awareness we have created from this year’s plastic ocean rescue campaign. We exist to create awareness issues surrounding ecology and social responsibility. Through our community programmes we share information to show people how they can be the change and help solve the issue.

Plastic pollution has been the focus point of our projects, workshops, talks and events this year, which has resonated very well with our readership and followers, our engagement stats have increased by over 1000%!

Not many people realise that so many of our clothes are made from plastic, and it’s not just in the production of garments that is harmful to our oceans… an average UK washing load – 6kg (13lb) of fabric – can release 140,000 fibres from polyester-cotton blend, nearly half a million fibers from polyester, and more than 700,000 fibers from acrylic.

You have just been named as a semi-finalist in the Venus Awards for your work in sustainability – how important are awards to you and do you feel that they help your cause?

Being a semi-finalist for the Venus Awards is a great achievement because it feels like I have been recognised for all of the positive work I am doing in sustainability. It’s very reassuring to know that people are noticing, and it’s given me a lot more confidence to grow. Awards like this also attract other people to your work and it’s a lovely process, where you’re lucky to meet so many other inspiring business women.

You studied Fashion at Arts University College at Bournemouth – did this experience helped you with your business?

The experience I gained whilst studying for my BA (Hons) in Fashion studies has really helped me with my business. It was a real eye opener as I was unaware of the damage caused by the fashion industry before I started my studies at the Arts University College Bournemouth. The things I discovered and learned really helped me to shape the values and basis of my NFP organisation whilst giving me the creative freedom and skills I needed to get started. I learned what the problems are then found my solutions, which really helped me to define the goals and objectives of We Do Ethical.

What steps does the world of fashion need to make to become more sustainable and why is there such a ‘wear it, throw it’ culture in the UK?

The world of fashion is changing, and currently ethical fashion has a market positioning that’s seen as luxury and aspirational. To irradiate the ‘wear it, throw it’ culture that surrounds us in the UK… we need ethical fashion to become mainstream and have accessible price points for the masses to consume the products. To make this happen, we all need to buy products with a purpose and then businesses will supply them.

What’s next for you Kelly and for We Do Ethical?

I am really excited about the future because the ethical living industry sector is now rapidly growing. I am starting work on a new business idea in September and We Do Ethical’s nfp will benefit from the proceeds. I really want to grow our community programmes, giving back more regularly through larger community projects.

The launch of coolconscience.com marketplace is set to be our next biggest defining moment. For the past eight years I have been discovering the coolest collection of eco-friendly and socially responsible products on our planet and want to put them all in one place to help people live better.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs, particularly to those wanting to launch businesses in the sustainability sector?

The best advice I can give to budding entrepreneurs who want to launch a business in sustainability is simply to believe in themselves. You are the biggest asset in your business and you really need to know yourself and be true to yourself when making big decisions. I would also say to focus on the tasks that you are best at and hire people in that are better than yourself for the other tasks, this will really save you time to take the lead and steer your business to grow faster and stronger.

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