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Every woman deserves a little bit of shimmer in their closet, and this is what SSY Designs and Kelli Shaughnessy are all about. A passionate creative, Kelli started SSY Designs with a revolutionary idea that would change shoes forever — and that idea was ‘Shoe Jewelz’. A shoe accessory like no other, that can literally transform your shoes into anything you want them to be.

But Kelli doesn’t stop at adding shimmer to your ‘shoedrobe,’ because her business ethos is all about giving back. From supporting countless charities, to starting the ‘Love Me, Love U— Collection’ — wherein 100% of proceeds will be donated to charity; Kelli Shaughnessy exemplifies that being a GirlBoss isn’t just about success (although that is something she has aplenty) but also about using your success to make the world a better place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background — what inspired you to start SSY Designs?

My background is in the arts however I took a hiatus and went to the corporate world to secure my future. (my financial future that is). I thought that was going to be my future so at night I would paint, dance, draw and even restore furniture that I found in second hand stores.

SSY Designs started as a single product, called shoe jewelz that we have patented and trademarked globally. We have over 100+ designs that we create and manufacture in our studio. I ended up buying my own industrial sewing machines and hired a talented seamstress to help my ideas come to life — and boy did they! I am so happy with our line. Its a slow moving process but we are enjoying every minute. Plus everything is made in our studio right here in NYC.

What are ‘Shoe Jewelz’ and how is it going to change our shoe game forever?

Shoe Jewelz take your shoes to the next level. All you do in slip them over the ball of your shoe and voila… a brand new pair. You can honestly have one pair of shoes but as many styles as you want just by adding shoe jewelz. Fringe for that flapper night, bugs for a picnic, studs for your rock and roll days, fur, hearts, rhinestones, beads, snakes, butterflies, you name it!

SSY Design is all about social responsibility as well. Could you tell us about the soon to be launched ‘Love Me, Love U’ collection?

SSY is grateful for its amazing opportunities, and we are constantly working to give back. Whether its global or interpersonal we strive to make peoples days or lives easier. The SSY Team has put together a huge sewing kit for a young Haitan child in the Turks and Caicos after we found out that he loves to sew and design clothing but doesn’t have access to a machine or fabrics. When their government shut down, we posted an ad and hired a furloughed employee. We paid her daily, so she could keep food on her families table and not fall behind. The job was over as soon as our government reopened but we met the best person and honestly miss having her. We have sales just for minimum wage workers and price things at 5 dollars and give them a 10 dollar coupon. Our cups are definitely not running over but we feel better when someone does too.

As for Love Me Love U, we just filled for a 501.c3 and we are currently designing pendants and t-shirts with its amazing logo. We are praying it comes back accepted for a trademark. We will launch Lovemeloveu.org as a platform to learn about our charitable endeavours and who we support. Basically, 100% of the proceeds of whatever we sell on that site will go straight to a charity. We haven’t decided if we will partner with specific organisations or allow the customer decide where to donate.In any case we are extremely excited, the first line will be priced to buy at under $100.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

I think the biggest challenge I still struggle with, is instant gratification. If I design something I need it made right away. Unfortunately, it can get costly and it may not be the best design after all.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself?

The GirlBoss title feels so cool! Ive created this business organically, and I let my instincts lead the way (MOST of the time). I may not do it all but I know how to do almost every aspect of my company. If I don’t know it, I research the heck out of it. I have made a lot of mistakes however I can say that I pretty much let them roll, Iearn and move on. My team are also an amazing group of young women who are all Girl-bosses in their own right.

WWW.SSYDESIGNS.COM

Senreve was created to cater to the professional woman by prioritizing their needs. This company aims to create a balance between versatility and design, fantasy, and functionality—and innovation and tradition. Senreve’s handbags simplify the daily lives of women, empowering them to lead higher-quality lives. The company’s inspiration originated from French terms that translate to “sense” and “dream.” These handbags can carry your laptop, phone, lipstick, wipes, and wallet, among other things, giving you the space to take everything you need with you in one place.
About the CEO, Coral Chen
The Wharton School and University of Pennsylvania graduate has always had a passion for consumer brands and luxury retail industries. This passion led her to the global COO and holding the position of CEO in America for Prada, working on projects related to commercialization, marketing, and distribution. Her career started in Hong Kong at Bain & Company before moving to Silicon Valley. She currently works as the CEO of Senreve, a company she cofounded in 2016 with Wendy Wen to cater to the needs and wants of working women. Through her leadership, the company has grown tremendously; the cofounders found an investor in Sonya Brown, and it recently closed a series A investment deal worth $16.75 million.
The Company’s Customer-Oriented Policy
As Coral Chung and Wendy Wen were preparing to launch their company, they received plenty of advice from industry veterans. They were originally going to partner with Barneys New York, but they chose to instead take a direct-to-customer route. Three years later and traditional brick-and-mortar establishments are in decline. This change has made many experts see that the future of the industry lies in the adoption of digital, direct-to-consumer strategies. The model is designed to offer transparency, affordability, and accessibility.
Today, the relationship between customers and luxury brands has evolved. As more companies transition to e-commerce, customers are no longer shopping in a physical retail shop.
Since customers are drawn to brands they share values with, Senreve aims to maintain close relationships with its customers by responding to them promptly. The company takes time to gain insights from customers and use the feedback to make changes and improvements.
Breaking the Stereotypes about Women
Using their experience in consulting, finance, tech, and retail—and trusting on their instincts—Chung and Wen are building a successful company. They are on their way to transforming the otherwise traditional industry of women’s handbags. The idea to start Senreve came from necessity; Coral could not find a handbag that fit her lifestyle. She discovered that the available luxury handbags would often collapse, and most of them did not accommodate all the needs of a professional woman.
When she had the idea to start the brand, she had to make a choice: stay at her current company or trust her instincts and begin her entrepreneurial journey. She chose to pursue a company that would dispel the notion that women must confirm into just one role—their careers or personal lives. Women multifaceted, and they can have it all, a belief Chung helps to realize with Senreve. Today’s woman wears several hats, and her handbag must also meet all her needs. Besides being practical, she also wants to be elegant and stylish. Senreve bags are beautiful, sleek, and made in Italy by expert artisans using high-quality products.
Through its social media presence and how the brand is presented, Senreve also aims at highlighting the issues that working women face. Breaking structural problems is also essential. Often, women are criticized for doing one thing or the other, something that men do not usually face.
Filling a Gap in the Industry
Before launching Senreve, Chung sought advice from the people in her life as well as her mentors. Most of them believed that the market was too saturated, and the idea was too risky and impossible to achieve. Coral Chung had, however, seen a gap in the market and was determined to fill it. She took a risk by creating a brand that is modern, intentional, innovative, and customer-oriented. Although smaller than its competitors, Senreve stands out as the best CES Software allowing Chung to create the ideal solution based on customer feedback with unmatched precision and efficiency.
Coral Chung demonstrates that women can be both vulnerable and fearless. Despite the risks involved, she chose to do things her way, and it paid off.
Learn more about Coral Chung – https://www.senreve.com/pages/coralchung

Sometimes life takes us in unexpected directions. It take courage and heart to follow those new paths and perhaps realise that the new path is truer to you than the one you were on before – the one you were supposed to be on.

That’s certainly true for our interviewees today, Gulnoza and Dilnoza who are fabulous designers and owners of Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano who deviated from their paths to becoming lawyers to find a career closer to their hearts.

HOC: Hello ladies! Tell us about your journey to being designers?

Gulnoza & Dilnoza: We have always loved and been interested in fashion, styling and visuals. It is our passion! We have always loved dressing up and styling our looks. Our earliest role model in fashion is our mom. We remember loving watching our mom getting ready. She always looked, beautiful, classy, elegant and sophisticated.

Later in our teenage years, we started watching “Fashion TV” and reading fashion magazines. We were fascinated by world famous designers collections and their runways.

We had this desire to express our creative ideas and vision…. After graduating from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, International Law faculty in Tashkent we moved to New York. While living in Manhattan our close friends encouraged us to follow our dreams and passion. So instead of applying for a Masters program in Law, we decided to study International Marketing.

Later we transferred our Master Degree course in Marketing with specialisation in Luxury Goods Management at the European School of Economics by Buckingham University from New York to Milan. After finishing the study and training through internships in showrooms of international fashion houses in Milan, we launched our own luxury ready-to-wear brand. Each collection is entirely Made in Italy by amazing Italian artisans to guarantee authentic luxury.

HOC: Wow, what an incredible journey; I’m guessing it was hard work…

G&D: Haha, yes! It was not easy in the beginning, but hard work, dedication, staying focused and willingness to learn new skills helped us to realise our dream to become fashion designers.

We launched our brand without any fashion education, only based on our vision of beauty and elegance, good taste and intuition. Thanks to our degree in Law and Economics, we have strategic thinking and discipline as well, which is very helpful business-wise.

We work very hard on each piece in the collection. Starting from designing by hand with the sketches, choosing the very best Italian fabrics, linings, buttons, zippers, controlling the stitching and fit. We spend hours doing fittings, because high quality, perfect fit and comfort is very important for us.

HOC: When did you launch the brand?

G&D: In 2015 we founded our own fashion company, Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano brand, which offers luxury ready-to-wear womenswear.

The general vibe that characterizes the Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano brand: chic, timeless, sophisticated, elegant, classy-sexy and perfect fit designs.

HOC: You both must be incredibly busy; how do you balance the varying demands on your time?

G&D: We always write down a list of things to do and then we choose tasks by priority. We like to do everything perfectly, so we focus on one thing until it’s done and then focus on the next one!

HOC: With your fashion creations; who would be your ideal customer?

G&D: Strong, sensual, sophisticated, a dreamer, independent. She’s a combination of all those women, of all ages, who share an innate passion for living intensely in the name of beauty.

HOC: Why, in your opinion, is good design so important?

G&D: Good design and quality create the first impressions and differentiate you from other brands. It shows you customers who you are as a brand.

HOC: For our creative readers, what advice would you have for them to grow their artist practices and get their work seen?

G&D: Our advice would be to be always curious! Be a dreamer, use your imagination, stay true to yourself and dream big. In terms of getting your work seen; be patient, work very hard and always believe in yourself.

HOC: Such useful advice! I’d love to know, which of your designs means the most to you and why?

G&D: It’s got to be our debut collection!

We were accepted to participate and present our first collection at Altaroma in Rome. We got the opportunity to showcase our collection to the fashion press and Silvia Venturini Fendi, the curator of Altaroma and get her positive feedback. Right after that we were featured in Vogue Italia Emerging Talents section. That positive experience meant a lot to us, it was also a sign that we are on the right path!

HOC: Who / where do you get your inspiration from?

G&D: Anything can inspire us, a movie we saw, books we are reading, architecture, art, nature, our fantasies of what we want to wear to dinners, cocktails or some events.

We both have a very strong imagination and are always, always curious!

HOC: We skipped over this at the beginning but you are sisters, what’s it like working together?

G&D: It’s amazing! We are blessed to have each other and work together. We are identical twins and we have a special connection, same vision and taste. We spend every working hour together, so every brand decision we make together. Besides we are best friends.

Find out more about Gulnoza Dilnoza Milano here

and follow their journey over on instagram at @gulnozadilnozamilano

Here at Team Coco, we adore embracing the more spiritual side of life, challenging our preconceptions and expanding our understanding. We recently sat down with Star Brodie, founder of The Woman Whole, an online boutique that specialises in beautiful crystal yoni eggs.

What’s a Yoni Egg, you ask? Well, read on as we were not ashamed to ask that important question…

* Star would like to note that throughout this interview the term “woman” is used as an inclusive and intersectional term, representing individuals who were born, assigned, and/or identify as a woman and whose experiences represent various and unique cultural backgrounds, social systems, and challenges.*

HOC: Hi Star! Let’s start with the trickier one, what’s your elevator pitch for your business?

Star: Thank you, I’m so happy to be doing this interview! My name is Star Brodie, and I am the owner of The Woman Whole, an online boutique that specializes in luxurious crystal yoni eggs. Through this platform, I invite women who wish to know themselves on a more intimate level to dive deeper into self and to connect with their inner goddess by providing tools and resources that encourage self-love and discovery. Receiving a package from The Woman Whole is an enchanting experience, and people are raving about the love and attention that shines through. Visit www.yoniegg.life/shop and find your special treasure today!

HOC: Can you tell us about your personal background and your journey to running your business?

Star: I grew up in a home that embraced magic, and crystals have always been a part of my environment. When I was eight years old, I received my spiritual initiation and began this ever-evolving journey that has led me to where I am today. I have always been fascinated with the concept of the cosmic egg and the symbology of the egg in general. In 2011 I dreamt of a cosmic bird releasing millions of golden eggs onto the earth as she flew through space. A year later, an elder who I hold in high esteem shared her vision that confirmed my dream of these cosmic eggs which were coming to earth to restore balance and to bring healing. It was at this time that I began to develop a deeper relationship with the divine feminine, with myself, and with the crystal yoni eggs. This energy grew into a magnetic pull, and I felt the universe calling on me to help birth these eggs into the world.

I am also proud to have integrated this passion within the academic world. I graduated from Eastern Oregon University (Magna Cum Laude) with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies with Minors in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology. My culminating essay and final works, which received high honors, was directly connected to the work that I do and focused on the disestablishment of menstrual shame, the importance of female sexual sovereignty, and examined the yoni egg practice from within my fields of expertise. Analyzing these concepts from an academic point of view establishes a greater understanding of their significance and validates the impact that they have on the world around us.

HOC: Sorry to ask the obvious, but what is a Yoni Egg?

Star: Absolutely, yoni eggs definitely inspire intrigue! The word yoni is a Sanskrit term that refers to the macrocosm of divine feminine energy as well as the microcosmic lifeforce reflected in the womb, vagina, and vulva. A yoni egg is a sacred instrument that is carved from a healing crystal into the shape of a small egg.

The egg is a symbol of goddess energy, transformation, rebirth, purity, creation, fertility, and is an expression of the great cosmic egg that exists in creation stories worldwide. The yoni egg is used internally through various meditations and exercises to infuse, strengthen, and activate the yoni with this powerful energy. The specific crystal yoni eggs that I provide and recommend are Nephrite Jade for blessings and prosperity, Rose Quartz to cultivate unconditional love, Clear Quartz to stimulate healing and amplify energy, and Black Obsidian for protection and clearing negativity.

HOC: Thanks for that compelling introduction – what are the benefits of using a Yoni Egg?

Star: The yoni egg practice provides a beautiful marriage of physical and spiritual benefits that are unique to the experience of the individual. This transformational practice is held sacred in its power to activate vaginal reflexology points, engage the pelvic floor, increase sensitivity, strength, and body awareness, awaken orgasmic energy (which is life force energy and not necessarily sexual), inspire expressions of self-love, and cultivate a deep connection with the divine feminine on both a personal and universal level.

I have also observed that through this practice, women have come together and created relationships, alliances, and entire communities that are supportive of one another in growth and development, which is an integral aspect of the health and success of not only the female population but the entire human population as well. This practice also invites the individual on a journey of empowerment through self-discovery, which leads to a stronger sense of self and has a direct impact on the choices that are made. The benefits received through the yoni egg practice have the power to extend beyond the individual and to impact our environment and relations in a positive way.

HOC: Where are you based and how does your environment influence your work?

Star: I am based outside of a small village on the Oregon Coast. I selected this place to live because I consider it to be one of the most beautiful and healing places on the planet. This environment inspires and nourishes me every day. I feel very blessed to live so close to nature. Even if I am not in my office working, the time that I spend at the beach, in the forest, or by the creek side is directly connected to the love and energy that I pour into every single package that I prepare.

One of my favorite things to do is to collect agates along the coastline and include them as gifts with each order. This activity is a meditation for me. For each agate that I pick up, I like to say a little prayer or affirmation for the individual who will receive it. Incorporating practices such as this is incredibly important to me as it facilitates a symbiotic relationship of mutual healing.

HOC: If you weren’t doing what you do now, what other paths could you have taken?

Star: I suppose the possibilities are endless! I have always preferred to be self-employed, so I would imagine that whatever path I found myself on I would find a way to make that work. Before the creation of The Woman Whole, I was considering a masters program in Women’s Spirituality. I knew that this was the field that I wanted to work in, and I love learning. However, the program I was interested in ended and other options became available to me. Art is another passion of mine and was actually my original major in college. Although I chose not to go down the path of a professional artist, I really value being able to incorporate artistic elements into the work that I do now through various visual outlets such as image and video production. It is hard to predict exactly how my life would have differed if I had not chosen this path. But I am confident that whatever unfolds is meant to be!

HOC: We absolutely love that affirmation! What gets you out of bed in the morning?

Star: My work is what motivates me. By this, I refer to both my business and my own spiritual/personal work, which are intimately intertwined. I am naturally an early riser and a morning person… as long as I don’t have to be anywhere. The dawn is a very magical time, and I like to greet it by taking an hour or two to journal, read, and meditate outdoors.

Working from home allows me the time to take care of myself first before taking on the rest of my day, and I am very thankful for that. Spending quality time with my amazing and magical daughter is also a primary motivation and is the main reason I choose to work from home.

I am also very driven to provide outstanding customer service, and I am passionate about what I do, so there are also mornings where I am answering emails and preparing packages before I can rub the sleep out of my eyes. Of course, I can’t always do that and finding a balance between work and personal time does take a conscious effort.

HOC: What personal achievement of yours means the most to you and why?

Star: The personal achievement that means the most to me is not a specific event, but rather an ability that I have cultivated to alchemize negative into positive. There have been many times throughout my life when I have been underestimated, told that I wouldn’t succeed, or had to start all over again. I have learned to take this negativity, extract the energy from it, and inject that energy into the creation of something positive.

I owe many of my accomplishments in life to adopting this mentality. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do this interview if I had not believed in myself and my inner strength. Perception is the key that gives you the power to transform the word “challenge” from a hardship that is inflicted upon you into a dare to become your most powerful self.

HOC: Entrepreneurial souls are often burning the candles at both ends, what tips do you have for our readers when they are feeling emotionally exhausted?

Star: This is such an important question. It is essential for anyone who is perpetually working to take care of themselves. You won’t have anything to give to others if you are running on empty, and your energy will be depleted if you try.

As entrepreneurs, we are always fighting this battle. Emotional exhaustion happens… and I think it’s important not to feel bad about yourself for experiencing it. What matters is being able to recognize when you need to unplug and relax. Get into nature if you can, spending just a few minutes in the elements can help reboot your brain and give you a whole new perspective.

I also think that it is helpful to set boundaries with yourself. It’s tempting for self-driven people to overwork themselves. But try to set specific times and days that are dedicated to your own personal needs and spending time with the people you love. If you are a person who menstruates, try to respect the first three days of your cycle by not taking on too much and practice as much self-care as possible.

The last bit of advice I’d like to share is to take advantage of downtime! If business is slow for a day or two, take it as a hard-earned vacation. Enjoy that time. Realize that there will always be an ebb and flow, and learn to work in harmony with that natural rhythm.

HOC: What wonderful advice – thanks Star! What’s your ambition for the rest of 2019?

Star: Well, so far this year has been amazing. I am incredibly honored that House of Coco has selected The Woman Whole for this interview. I have also recently been featured in Tatler Magazine, and will also be in upcoming issues of Vanity Fair as well as London Life Magazines. You can also find my shop featured in Stilorama Luxury Fashion Marketplace.

This has all taken me by surprise. I tend to stay below the radar, I don’t invest in social media too much or have a large following. I focus on my own business and work hard to provide a unique and magical experience for each of my customers, to whom I am forever grateful for. I receive so many beautiful reviews which fills my heart and makes all the hard work completely worth it.

For the rest of 2019, I am looking forward to upgrading and expanding both the products and service I provide. I plan on producing more video content and am considering some possible collaborations as well. I am always looking for ways to improve customer experience and am excited to continue to add even more value to each purchase!

To learn more about yoni eggs and shop visit YoniEgg.life

Connect with Star and The Woman Whole on instagram at @TheWomanWhole

Everything about KAN lives and breathes the spirit of Mexico. At 27 years old, Paulina Hernandez Carvajal, has found her calling; and it is to share Mexico’s beautiful heritage to the world with her fashion brand, KAN By Paulina.

Every item in KAN is made with love and is inspired by Mexico’s unique culture and history. The Temiqui Collection was inspired by the culture of Wirrarikas or Wixaritari; an indigenous Mexican tribe who also create the stunning embroideries that adorn Kan’s beautiful pieces. By working with the Casa Huichol Foundation, who provides medical care to indigenous Mexican tribes; Kan also helps to provide sustainable livelihoods for tribespeople in recovery. Kan is not only a beautiful, colourful, and fascinating fashion brand, but also one with a heart and soul that is proudly Mexican.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what inspired you to start Kan by Paulina?

My name is Paulina Hernandez Carvajal, I´m 27 years old, and I am a Mexican fashion designer. I love art and the sea, and what inspired me to start Kan was this passion for these two things. Kan comes from love; love to my country and our ethnic indigenous cultures, our traditions, and our colours.I want to show Mexico and the world, all of the richness that my country has to offer. To share the peculiar cosmo-vision that all the ethnic Mexican groups have; and taking people on a magical journey into their unique regions; inspired by their enchantment and seduction.

How important is your Mexican heritage to the ethos of your brand? How does your culture influence your designs?

My Mexican heritage is everything to the ethos of brand, it’s the DNA of Kan. Every single design of Kan screams Mexico, you won’t find anything like our products anywhere else. The dynamic colours of each piece come from my country; from its deep blue seas, to its green jungles and forests. From our pink and purple cover tables that bring family dinners to life, to the colours of a piñata that exemplifies our traditions.

Every single piece that is embroidered by the hands of the Wixaritariis all about art and love. At the heart of Mexico is Kan.

Could you tell us more about your collaboration with the Casa Huichol foundation?

The Temiqui Collection is inspired by the Wirrarikas or Wixaritari culture, and we work with their communities. They do all of the embroidery for the swimwear and clothes; without them Kan wouldn’t exist. They are the magic in this project.

Casa Huichol Foundation, is a place where the Wirras can come to the city can seek medical help, and also a place to stay while in recovery. At Casa Huichol, we work with the patient’s family so they can earn an income while staying in the city, Kan seeks to empower the indigenous and create sustainable livelihoods for them.

Kan is made up of all the different Wixaritari communities that we work with, from Casa Huichol to communities in the Highlands, andor our main Artist Guadalupe Hernández. They make every design in this collection unique, a piece of haute couture. They work hours by hand embroidering each piece, giving us a piece of art, love, heart,culture, and tradition; but most importantly a piece of every single artist that has worked in this process.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced as an entrepreneur so far?

The biggest challenge that I have faced to not give up and keep believing in myself and this project. Thingsrarely go as you imagine, and oftentimes plan change and you encounter difficulties in your journey.

What advice do you have for women who would like to become a GirlBoss like yourself

The best advice that someone has given me is to ‘dream big, if your dreams don’t scare you then they aren’t big enough for you.’

Always work for what you believe in and never give up on your dream. No matter how difficult the journey may seem, or what people say, you have to work hard for what you want, and also enjoy the ride. You need to take in every single moment. Enjoy the tears, the happiness, the moments of loneliness, and the moments with the ones you love. Enjoy the falls,because if we don’t fall we won’t be able to learn. Enjoy the critics because they are the ones that will help you become better and grow. Enjoy every single achievement along the way,because they are the reminders that you are doing good and that your work is paying off. Most of all whatever you do, do it with all your heart. Because when you put your heart and love in every single thing you do, you can achieve the impossible.

www.KanbyPaulina.com

LEBON is a luxury oral care brand founded in 2015 by Stephanie, Art Historian and professional Photographer and Richard, Cosmetic Certified Dermatologist, both lovers of the sea and nature.

Whereas brushing your teeth is the first and last thing we do every day, Richard and Stephanie wanted to make a dent in the industry for an ethical and nature inspired toothpaste created specifically for those who value health and wellbeing. Their story is so inspiring so we spent some time with them to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead to the launch of LEBON

My Husband and I were in holiday in a small village on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It was a rainy morning, all intense smells where floating in the air. We were at a point of our life where we wanted to create something together (apart from our two amazing children of course).

Richard’s background is cosmetic formulations, mine is art history and photography. Little by little, we found out that there was a huge lack in the oral care, where you could find either toothpastes with impeccable ingredients but not pleasant to use, or mass market toothpastes with formulas full of nasty ingredients. Brushing teeth is the first and last thing you do each day, it should even be 3 times per day after each meal, and despite that, it was lived as an obligation (tell the children to go brushing their teeth, we all know their reaction). With the inspiration of that beautiful, wild and intense nature surrounding us, it quickly became obvious that creating a toothpaste collection with natural flavours and clean formulation that will turn that daily routine into a real pleasure moment was the thing to do.

Looking back since your launch in 2015, is there anything that you would do differently?

That is a question we ask ourselves regularly…

Neither of us come from business or marketing background. We created LEBON with our own criteria, choosing only the very best for all our ingredients and suppliers, with an ethical approach. So, it may not be the best profitability strategy and we learned the hard way that creating a brand and making it viable without business-marketing skills and not overriding its principles and values was difficult. But we question ourselves and listen to our consumers which is, we believe, a very important point and we do not hesitate to evolve when it is necessary. Today LEBON wouldn’t be LEBON without this path covered during these 5 years.

Founded by a husband and wife duo, how do you separate home and work life?

So far, we don’t… This is definitely something we are working on. Our children are not that small (17 and 14) and even them, feel concerned with LEBON. Charline the oldest, is now sometimes coming on trade fairs, she loves it and is the perfect image of “Future is green”. However, we try to not talk about LEBON once we leave the office, but we are not very good at it.

You’re an ethical brand, why is this important to you?.

For us the question would rather be, how couldn’t it be? As I mentioned, we are always evolving and questioning ourselves, because we are totally aware that the way of consuming has to change. World is changing and our planet needs each one to make the difference, small actions made by everyone can make the whole difference. It is everyone’s ethical and ecological conscience that will move the world in the right direction, without waiting for governments or large multinationals reactions.

Talk us through the 9 different flavours of LEBON…

We are very proud to collaborate with one of the most established aroma & perfume suppliers from Grasse, a village in the south of France classified world heritage of UNESCO for its know-how in the production of perfumes. They loved the idea of LEBON toothpaste collection, “whose flavours fits your mood” and we are working with them since the very beginning, creating natural, exclusive and delicate flavours.

Cap Ferrat Moodis the first, the classic one. It awakens your senses and makes you feel strong, fresh and energized with its powerful mix of Mints inspired by the peninsula of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat in the French Riviera. That place used to be a dry roc before being planted and covered with a multitude of trees with fresh and powerful essences such as eucalyptus and pines. People love to go there to find some freshness during the summer heats.

Villa Noacarlina: Our second creation. Brings moment of calm with the fresh fusion of Mint rounded with a subtle hint of Cinnamon. With the well-known stress reducing benefits of Cinnamon and the inspiration of the wild beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Villa Noacarlina is a great flavor to add to your routine to help you feel grounded and calm. Also known to curb hunger craving, this Cinnamon infused toothpaste is a great post-lunch solution to stop snacking throughout the afternoon.

Une Piscine à Antibes: Much like the feeling of diving into a refreshing swimming pool on a hot summer’s day, Une Piscine à Antibes provides that instant cooling and relaxing feeling. Packed full of minty fresh flavors and a splash of Liquorice, this blend is great on the days you want a refreshing and intense moment.

Tropical Crush: This is one I also name “sun in a tube” for rainy days”. Bursting with juicy Pineapple and Rooibos, it will make you start any day in a positive mindset. It transports yourself somewhere tropical and makes you feel uplifted with the vibrantly sunny natural flavours.

Sweet Extravagance: Certainly, the one of the most sophisticated flavour. It is a real moment of self-kindness. Deliciously sweet and creamy, Sweet Extravagance perfectly blends Mint, Orange Blossom (known for its calming and balancing properties) with a hint of Rose (renowned for being uplifting and comforting) making it the ultimate gift of self-love.

Le White: The first of the natural whitening series. It is a tea inspired. A delicate balance of Green Tea and delicious Sweet Mint from Morocco, it is the perfect remedy to enjoying your cup of tea.

Back to Pampelonne: Mango and Mint mix which brings sunshine and joy to any day with the sweet exotic flavors and instantly transport yourself walking along Mediterranean sandy beaches. The explosive exotic Mango is blended with refreshing Mint to create the ultimate uplifting energy kick needed to start the day. An essential part during seasonal changes for anyone looking for a sunny moment.

Rhythm is Love: The uplifting powers of Ylang Ylang and the touch of Yuzu mix idea came after a trip in Asia. Known for its sensual and euphoric properties, the creamy Ylang Ylang helps to boost your spirits whilst the lightly acidulous touch of Yuzu makes it a well-balanced flavour and the perfect choice before bed to help you let go of your day.

Fearless freedom: We also call it the “Monday morning toothpaste”. A bold blend of juicy Black Currant and Fresh Mint that gives you an instant boost of strength and courage and helps you feel like anything is possible.

Are there any plans to extend your product range, if so, what will you add?

2020 is an important year in LEBON development. We still work on the evolution of the brand and we are very excited and proud of what will be launched in a few months. Be patient …

What quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation?

“I had to make you uncomfortable, otherwise you never would have moved”. – Universe

For anyone wanting to start their own business, what advice would you offer?

Trust your instincts and never stop to move forward. Never considerate things for granted and be ready to evolve while always maintaining the integrity of your initial idea or product.

What are your plans for the business in 2020?

New products and a new commercial distribution strategy. By going more direct in our distribution, we are now able to decrease the public price of the whole collection without touching the quality of our products. We recognised that our price-point excluded some customers from repeat purchasing our product and this is something that we needed to overcome to benefit all our partners markets and consumers.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

Back to the roots… definitely Costa Rica.

Since we launched LEBON, we hadn’t time to go back there, where everything started, and it really misses us. Maybe soon …

Find out more and follow their journey…

www.lebonandlebon.com

Kaila Uli is the founder of Brillies, a brand that offers the best in vintage and retro sunglasses and is sure to make you stand out from the crowd. Started because of Kailas love for antiques, you can guarantee that these sunglasses won’t be easy to find. A true fashionista, we spent some time with her to find out more about her plans for the future, life in L.A and more… Tell us about the journey that lead you to where you are today
There are two things I’ve loved since childhood, business and antiques. My mom has an ambitious spirit that I was lucky enough to inherit. Selling vintage items gave me an opportunity to combine the two things I love. Brillies wasn’t my first attempt at business, I’d tried and failed a few times with everything from jewelry to craft packaging. Brillies is a combination of those successes and failures. I was able to scrape together enough knowledge from my previous failures to avoid certain pitfalls and fine-tune my marketing skills.

What made you launch your brand, Brillies?
It was a happy accident. I was living above a vintage store at the time and the owner was generous enough to let me post some online and try to sell them for a 50/50 split. I had my first sale within a few hours. From there, the business took off on its own and blossomed into what it is today.

What was life like growing up in LA?
I grew up in Pomona, a little suburb on the outskirts of L.A. Growing up was rough, I had 6 siblings and there was never enough of anything. My mom did her best to stretch every penny, but it was a difficult time. We moved around a lot in my teens. We went from the desert to the valley, to the mountains. It gave me the chance to meet a lot of folks and develop a very diverse skill set. I’d worked as a travel agent, a snowboard instructor, a salesperson, and a model, in addition to training as an EMT and CPR instructor – all before the age of 23. I’m able to use a lot of these skills to this day.

How do you source such unique sunglasses?
It’s a secret! Most of the folks who supply my shop operate entirely offline. You can only find them through word-of-mouth referrals. It took me several years to find my sources.

Are there plans to extend the range and launch other accessories?
We’re currently developing sunglasses chains and other lifestyle accessories for Spring 2020.

Talk us through an average day in your life
No two days are the same. Some days are spent sourcing products which means flying around the country, filtering through thousands of old sunglasses and choosing the best ones. Some days are spent entirely on the phone. Some days we do photoshoots, those are the most fun because the team gets to show off their creativity and we spend the day outdoors.

Do you follow a morning routine, if so, what is it?
Not really, I’m more of a nighttime routine person. My mornings consist of grabbing a breakfast bar, a coffee, and dashing to the office.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?
I would find a mentor and get more business advice early on. I’ve made many costly mistakes that could have been avoided with better counsel.

What book would you recommend that any aspiring entrepreneur should read?
“You are a Badass” and anything else in the “Badass” series.

What are the pros and cons of being a female entrepreneur?
Cons: I am almost always the only female in the room, which means I’m very often not taken seriously. In 3 years that I’ve been doing this, I’ve only met one other woman in my industry. Pros: There are tons of female-specific resources and I have a great support network in L.A., female entrepreneurs are few in numbers, so we tend to stick close together and become friends quickly. I’ve had to develop very tough skin, but it’s also given me an opportunity to create an all-female team.

What does self-care mean to you?
Proper sleep, proper food, and a proper circle of people. I’m very affected by who I surround myself with, so I need to be with folks who motivate each other. It also means setting boundaries and not giving too much attention to the negative influences in life.

What mantra do you live by?
“Never trade authenticity for approval”, a quote I took from @themantraco – it’s my background on my phone. I look at it every day.

What does 2020 look like for you?
Joining forces with other female-run brands, developing a strong team and putting a strong emphasis on sustainability.Follow Kaila for more… On our website: www.Brillies.co or on our Instagram @Brillies.co

Voylan was established for the sophisticated woman on the go. Their elegant, yet practical, staple pieces are the perfect complement to a demanding work and travel schedule as they easily transition from business meetings to long weekend getaways or evenings out on the town.

The inspiration for the brand came from founder Milica Kostic’s lifestyle as a management consultant. Years of packing for weekly flights and navigating busy airports, hotels and boardrooms resulted in the realization that there was a significant need for high-quality handbags that would be both functional and appropriate for all occasions. Shortly thereafter, on a road trip through Tuscany, the heart of Italy’s leather industry, the idea for Voylan was born.

Milica is a real go getter and someone that we were so inspired by, so much so that we spent some time with her to find out more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Voylan…

Voylan is a brand born out of necessity. While I worked as a management consultant, I travelled far and wide on a weekly basis and finding a handbag that could take me from the airport, to the office, followed by a dinner out proved to be an incredible challenge. It was then that I realized that there was a significant need in the market for designs that would be both functional for the professional woman and sophisticated at the same time, so that she is putting her best foot forward as she goes about tackling her daily challenges. That is when the idea for Voylan first started to form in my mind and the following summer during a vacation in Tuscany, where I learned more about Italy’s leather industry, the vision just fell into place.

What sets you apart from other fashion brands?

Most handbags make women choose between style and function. Voylan was founded with the mission to merge the two and is driven by a commitment to timeless and functional designs. Therefore, the key differentiator that sets us apart from other brands would be our signature handcrafted interiors. Each piece is thoughtfully engineered, comprising of padded laptop or tablet pockets, stretchable pouches to easily store your water bottle and keys and a multitude of open compartments and zip pockets to ensure effortless organization. At the same time, the approach for each design is to first and foremost create a sophisticated classic that will never go out of style, ensuring that it can be worn with any outfit and be around for much longer than the typical seasonal trends.

Your bags scream practicality and give women the option to go from the boardroom to the airport with your versatility. Why was this important to you?

A handbag is one of the most important and intimate items the average woman possesses. It is more than just an accessory, it is a staple that carries our essentials for us everywhere and at all times, so the kind of piece a woman has on her can speak volumes about her lifestyle, taste and sense of personal style. Therefore, I truly see it as the most important investment we can make in our wardrobe, so providing both sophistication and versatility was a way for Voylan to help women both look and feel more confident, organised and ultimately empowered.

From the product range, what has been the best seller?

The styles are fairly evenly matched in terms of sales. What is apparent though is that there are clear favourites when it comes to what type of bag is being sought. The Manhattan Tote has established itself as the ultimate work bag, as it is large enough to fit a laptop and includes features such as a folder pocket, pen holders and trolley sleeve to effortlessly attach to luggage. As for leisure travel, both the Montreal Hobo and Sydney Messenger have received great feedback, it comes down to personal style when customers are deciding between the two.

Talk us through an average day at the business?

At our core, we value slow and sustainable fashion over seasonality, so new products are not released often. Instead, we incrementally introduce classic styles that will always be staples in a women’s wardrobe and expand them regularly with sophisticated colours that go with every outfit. The process begins with recognizing a need for what every woman needs in her closet and developing and finetuning a design that would best meet it. Once a design is finalized, I spend some time prototyping with our manufacturer in Tuscany and visiting tanneries in Italy to source the best possible leather before finally going into production.

In terms of an average day on the job, it really varies greatly depending on the task at hand. At certain periods of time there is a heavier focus on production activities, at other times marketing takes precedence with various features and interviews that come up. Ultimately, I am trying to ground myself in a plan and routine and establish as much consistency as possible to plan for the future and accelerate our growth.

What are your plans for the future?

Launched this past August, Voylan is already making a name for itself and we have only just begun. This coming year will see us introducing new colours to our existing collection as well as large zip around wallets. Looking beyond, we aim to become an established work and travel leather accessories brand, one that is synonymous with quality, functionality and elegance.

Since launching the brand, what has been your highlight?

Voylan being selected for Conde Nast Traveller’s Luxury Gift Guide. On the day I first got the idea for this travel inspired brand, I remember briefly thinking how incredible it would be to eventually end up in Conde Nast Traveller. To have someone from the magazine reach out to us just months into our launch was quite literally a dream come true and a huge sense of personal accomplishment.

Looking back, is there anything you would do differently?

There are always things you would do differently in hindsight, especially in situations where you are faced with many unknowns and learning on the go. What I am trying to focus on is to learn from everything, apply it to the future and continuously improve based upon those past experiences.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I have been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and visit most of my bucket list destinations, but the top of what remains on my list right now is doing an African safari in Botswana or Kenya. In the last few years I have become much more interested in exploring the natural wonders of the world, as I find it incredibly inspiring to see all of the diversity and beauty our world offers.

What quote do you like to read when you are lacking motivation?

“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.” I go back to this whenever I get impatient and expect immediate results or become easily discouraged. If you keep your focus on what you can control and on doing your best in given circumstances, then I believe that good things will eventually happen.

For anyone wanting to start their own business, what advice would you offer?

Be prepared for a challenge and become comfortable with uncertainty. Starting a business is entering unchartered territory, where no matter how well you prepare you will not know all the twists and turns that lie ahead. However, the key is to pursue something you truly believe in and have a clear strategy to always go back to and ground yourself in when you are faced with obstacles, which you inevitably will be. Finally, be determined and have a support system in place. You will hit walls, but perseverance combined with people that provide you with encouragement and advice whenever you feel like giving up can make all the difference.

What are your plans for the business in 2020?

The focus for 2020 is to grow the brand’s presence and continue establishing our identity as a go to for classical and practical designs.

Find out more and follow Milica and Voylan at www.voylan.com and follow us on social media – Instagram @voylanca or Facebook @voylanofficial

Jennifer Jane Young is the very definition of a successful 21st century multi-hyphenate. Founder of Injoy Living, she also works as a Virtual Business Manager and Strategic Consultant, writer, alongside running her own podcast called ‘The Art of Making Things Happen’.

According to Jennifer ‘The actions you are not willing to take or the decisions you are not willing to make are the ones that will change your life’ .This motto is the perfect reflection to her willpower and resilience to truly carve out the life she wants to live. Amidst a world of dull nine to fives, Jennifer helps people to turn their ideas into reality through her own self-started business, INJOY LIVING. Using her own personal experiences to inspire entrepreneurs the world over, to not settle, and to truly ‘injoy living’ their best lives.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background. What inspired you to start Injoy Living?

From a young age I had a ton of creativity and inspiration. My imagination was my safe space but simultaneously I was suffering. Up until I was about 25 I felt like I just didn’t fit anywhere in the world. Throughout my teenage years I suffered with severe anxiety, paralysing me in so many moments, making me feel like I was broken and unlike anyone else. It was a scary time for me because it felt like I was never going to be ok in my life.

I was the black sheep of the crowd, surrounded by people working 9-5 jobs or trying to find their dream program in school and none of that felt good to me. I needed freedom, I needed to do something with my creativity, and I needed to live a life of my own. At the time I could not quite understand all of that yet. In school, I was a little rebel, and I could never hold a job for more than a few months, as I found that it was physically and mentally excruciating. I would daydream of running away from it all and into a life that I would INJOY LIVING.

And so I did.My journey as an entrepreneur began by becoming a Yoga Teacher. I took my summer vacation to do intensive training and never looked back. I FINALLY felt at home in my life. I then went from Yoga Teacher, to Yoga-therapist, to Coach, to Virtual Business Manager & Strategic Advisor.What grew from that was Injoy Living. My company was built to help people craft out the life they are so deeply yearning for, because I believe that we should all be ‘injoying’ our life.

Injoy Living is where personal development meets entrepreneurship. It’s where I serve as a mentor to teach ‘The Art Of Making Things Happen’ by merging inspiration with practicality so people cannot only dream, but also make their dreams happen, one step at a time. I build deep, meaningful connections with people who come into my circle. I wear my heart on my sleeve and share my own journey in an honest way, so that I can use my life and lessons as a stepping stone for them.

The actual big picture vision for Injoy Living came to me when I was on vacation in Ireland, driving through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. It was so strong that I took out a pad and paper and wrote until my hand was hurting and I could barely hold my pen anymore. I believe that the vision I had that day, was a preview of my life’s mission. Not all of it exists yet, but it’s coming to life, one chapter at a time.

What is Injoy Living all about? How does it help aspiring entrepreneurs the world over?

It’s always about creating a bridge between inspiration and making things happen, through mentoring and practicality. No matter how I’m mentoring someone, I always see myself metaphorically holding my peoples’ hands as I help them step forward. It’s about creating human connection and a community of people on a similar path. I felt so alone for so long, and I don’t want anyone to ever feel that way. There is a unique path for all of us and I want to help people find that path and actually walk it. Through clear intentions, intuitive and strategic actions and the capacity to relax and let go, I help people step forward towards their yearnings. When I am not doing that for myself, I suffer, so when I’m suffering I know that I’m not paying attention to where my intuition is trying to guide me.

Currently my company offers one-on-one services for people to start a business or grow their business with me as the Virtual Business Manager. I mentor through my podcast “The Art Of Making Things Happen” and I invite clients to come work with me under the coconut palms in Cancun Mexico for retreats, work-cations and intensives.

What’s next for you and Injoy Living?

I’m working on getting my book published, where you can read about my philosophy on The Art Of Making Things Happenand one of the biggest leaps I ever took in my life — packing my life and my dog to move to Mexico.

There is so much more to come. I used to get stressed because I wasn’t making things happen fast enough, but now I really appreciate each individual chapter and how they build on each other. If I can spill the beans a little, the next thing I’m working on creating is a caribbean co-working house in Cancun for creatives and entrepreneurs to come stay with me for work & relaxation. I love being a host and taking care of people. You can sign up to Jennifer’s VIP list to be in the first to receive an invitation here.

Talk us through how you help businesses with ‘The Art of Making Things Happen’

I help people connect the dots from their idea/desire to creation. My strength is seeing the big picture and all the pieces involved to make things happen. Where people get overwhelmed, is trying to sort out all the pieces and matching them with the big picture. I help people break things down, problem solve, put the pieces in order and prioritise what to tend to first (while knowing what will be coming next). I’m a natural born project manager.

I also serve by coaching people who are just getting started (or wanting to take their own path) and offering strategic consulting to entrepreneurs. My approach with everyone is highly intuitive.

Communication is the key vehicle to any work or mentoring I do. I offer high-touch support to my community and clients. Unlike so many businesses now online, I want people to feel close to me and have access to me.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a GirlBoss so far?

Taming my creativity. I’ve had to learn that not all ideas are good ones. When creativity hits now I write and write and write. Then I let it sit and see how it feels the next day. I’m a little woowoo so sometimes I’ll pull tarot cards or get a reading from my tarot reader. I trust now that if something is meant to be on my path, it will continue to come bite me in the ass. I use my podcast and writing to channel my creativity, instead of trying to create a new service or a new business with every single blitz of inspiration.

I have to be fully transparent also (because it’s part of my core values as a mentor) and say that money used to be a big challenge for me. Starting at a young age, I had very stressful and scary experiences with money, and those patterns repeated into my adult life. In the last few years, I’ve fallen in love with taking care of my money, with making it, with using it and managing it. It was a long journey, but I finally feel empowered with my finances, which has had a huge impact on my business, success, and peace of mind.

What advice do you have for aspiring GirlBosses who would like to become a Girlboss like yourself?

Connect, connect, connect. You need a community. You need other Girlbosses in your circle. People to talk to and share with. Find a coach or a mentor. Invest in getting help. There are options for support for all different budgets. I would NEVER be where I am today, without the support and connections I have had with other amazing girl bosses. They have helped me become the person I am today. They will share resources with you, connect you with the right people, call you on your bull shit, through your value in your face when you can’t see it yourself. Find your crew is my best advice. No one builds success on their own, not even Oprah. We all need our Gayles!

WWW.INJOYLIVING.CA

Ecology Soap is dedicated to bringing you the “cleanest’ soaps, skin care and cleansing solutions on earth. They are committed to plant based, biodynamic personal care, as well as non-toxic cleaning solutions for laundry and home. Their products are made with hydrating organic oils, botanicals, and wholesome ingredients of the highest quality. All soaps and cleaners are sustainably formulated, eco-friendly and packaged with compostable or recyclable materials.

Founded by Louise Michaud, this brand is making a name for itself in the industry and we spent some time with her to find out more about her plans for the future and more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching Ecology Soap?
I was casually reading through social media posts and came across an article on toxicity in laundry products, more specifically dryer sheets. I was dismayed to learn that ingredients are generally not listed on these products, so consumers do not know of the potentially hazardous chemicals in their laundry products. After further research, I also found that there was a marketing trend of labeling cleaners and detergents as “green” for containing few so-called natural or eco-friendly ingredients, while the majority of other compounds in the “green” formula were synthetic.

Upon further research, I found the same applied to bath and body products. Many companies which promote their products as natural or handmade also use synthetic chemicals to enhance product appeal. Those beautifully colored soaps and bath bombs you see in the stores, for example, get their hues from synthetic dyes or colorants. Beware of those vibrant fuchsias and blues; they aren’t natural. Many of these products also use artificial fragrances, even if they do contain natural ingredients.

I was inspired to create a different type of “soap” company, founded upon developing a brand that avoided these practices, and providing transparency to the consumer with honest labeling and sourcing the “cleanest” ingredients possible. The majority of our products contain certified organic ingredients, and that is what sets us apart from other companies. We also will never use artificial fragrances or colorants in our products. In fact, our products are free from sulfates, parabens, GMOs, formaldehyde, phthalates, PABA, DEA or mineral oils.

Ecology Soap’s commitment to purity also extends from product to package. We focus on bar soaps because liquid soaps use five times more energy for raw material production and twenty times more for packaging. Our boxes are recyclable and made from post-consumer paper. Our business cards are made from recycled t-shirts, and we have recently begun using a green printer that uses soy-based ink for our labeling.

You’re committed to bringing consumers the cleanest soaps on earth, how do you go about this?
Our soap makers are carefully vetted and must meet our company credo. They are also involved in our annual certification via Leaping Bunny, the international certification standard for cruelty-free designation.

Do you plan on expanding your range outside of soap?
Yes, in response to the health hazards associated with the use of talcum powder, we just added a Powder Room to our website, featuring a line of 100% natural, talc-free body powders in seven unique scents: Mandarin Spice, Evergreen, Cedarwood Sage, Lemongrass, Lavender, Key Lime and Peppermint Tea Tree. Their essential oil based aromas are absolutely heavenly.

We also expanded with a “Spa Stop” that includes hand-loomed organic Turkish towels, aromatherapeutic shea butter infused socks, vintage glass soap dishes, bamboo brushes and more.

What does 2020 look like for the brand?
The year will be busy as we expand our brand into more brick and mortar store locations. I also expect to launch a line of fair trade sugar and coffee scrubs.

You’re members of the Rainforest Alliance which is incredible, how important is being sustainable to you?
Sustainability is of utmost important in terms of the environment, but so is sourcing ingredients from farmers that earn a living wage. When you see our brand’s notation that our oil is RSPO certified, you are assured not only that cultivation practices are in keeping with environmental sustainability, but also that the local population is fairly paid for the work they do. RSPO certified palm growers account for only 19% of the overall market.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?
I am actually coming to London in May and cannot wait since London has long been on the bucket list. Ecology Soap is a sponsor of the National Social Media Awards in May, and we will be attending the red carpet event to be broadcast into 60 million European households.

Eventually, I am planning to expand into an international line that will feature the “cleanest” soaps from makers around the world, so expect to be traveling on a regular basis. I see travel to known “soap” centers in southern France, Turkey and some off-the-beaten-track areas in the Middle East. At the top of my bucket list, however, is a trip around the Greek isles.

Outside of the business, what do you like to do for fun?
Since Ecology Soap is a young business, much of my time is devoted to its development. I also teach classics at a university here in New York, so time outside those two endeavors is supremely challenged. I do love to travel, however, especially when it is for archaeological purposes. I’m also a huge baseball fan and eagerly await next season.

What does self care mean to you?
I think finding a work-life balance is very important and honestly, I tend to struggle with this. I think getting regular exercise and spending time with friends and relations are most important to me. It’s easy to let those imperatives lapse when you are busy. Self care also means controlling what you expose yourself to in your daily environment and I think being a knowledgeable consumer is necessary for that.

Find out more…

We can be found at www.ecologysoap.com. Subscribe to our newsletter for discounts and product news. Our products can also be found in Europe on the Stilorama.com Luxury Marketplace. Our social media handles are Instagram at ecologysoapllc, Facebook at ecologysoapcompany and Twitter @ecologysoap.