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The Sustainable Bamboo Clothing Interview with Helen White of BAM

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand BAM Bamboo Clothing…

BAM was founded by David Gordon in 2006. He wanted to build a viable and environmentally sustainable clothing business and was bowled over when he discovered bamboo: not only one of the planet’s most sustainable crops but also a natural performance fabric. It was the first bamboo clothing company in Europe.

I first met Dave when I was the Buying and Design Director at Sweaty Betty back in 2009. We immediately hit it off and I was inspired by his ambition to create a different kind of business. I’ve been on the sidelines with him since then but joined BAM in 2018 and am now the Product and Brand Director. This means that I am not only responsible for the ranges that we produce, but also how we present ourselves.

Everything I’ve done feels like it’s led me to this role where I have a chance to help the brand define who it is and to rethink the way that we make clothes.

Why are you so passionate about sustainability?

The clothing industry has become one of the biggest polluters of the planet, responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions, so sustainability is now impossible to ignore.

Performance level activewear is dominated by synthetic fabrics, produced from fossil fuels with crude oil as the raw material. If that wasn’t bad enough, the resulting fibre is not biodegradable, which means that a pair of synthetic leggings will survive in landfill for thousands of years.

The statistics are devasting and speak for themselves. It has all been heading in the wrong direction and is clearly not sustainable.

But there is a change going on, and I’m so inspired that I can be part of it. There are a group of brands and manufacturers who are wanting to find a different way forward. The fashion industry will look very different in five years, with all the new emerging technologies, and it’s exciting to think that a tiny brand like BAM can play a part in that.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in business and how did you overcome it?

We have set ourselves a really ambitious goal: we want to be impact positive by 2030. As a business, this is our biggest challenge.

There are three key areas we are focusing on. Firstly, to take responsibility for the carbon footprint of the business. Like most clothing companies, the overwhelming majority of those emissions comes from deep into the supply chain, so we have spent two gruelling years tracing right back, beyond the garment factories, dyehouses, mills, fibre producers to where the bamboo is grown. It has been incredibly challenging, which is the reason most brands don’t do it!

The second area we are addressing is to be accountable for the end of our clothing’s life. A shocking 73% of clothing currently ends up in landfill or is incinerated. We want to get that to zero. This means us rethinking how we create products, being more proactive with fibre and fabric producers, and thinking creatively to find solutions to the complexity of creative circular fashion. One of the pillars of this is to invest in circular fibre-to-fibre recycling solutions as well as take back schemes to make it simple and convenient for customers. Our innovative 73 Zero range is the beginning of our products that have been specifically designed to be recycled.

Finally we want to take responsibility for everyone working for BAM; not just the people in our UK operation but throughout the supply chain. This is why having visibility of your supply chain is so important. If you don’t know who is producing your raw materials, fibres and fabrics, how can you ensure they are being treated fairly? We are in the process of visiting all our suppliers. This has obviously been hindered by COVID but we hope to resume our trips in 2022.

73 Zero Insulated Jacket (left) Balance Crop Top & Balance Leggings (right)

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Bold, curious, action-oriented.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of sustainable clothing design?

It is a really exciting time. There are huge advances in technology which provide so many more opportunities for creative innovation. It is great to be part of a sustainable alternative. Collaboration is going to be key so I would say go and talk to as broad a variety of specialisms as you can. Some of our most inspiring conversations have been with chemists and agriculturalists, because together we realise what is possible.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

I know it’s a cliché but there really isn’t an average day. I can be trend forecasting and setting a creative brief for photoshoots one day and then be in a meeting with an industry body the next. There’s never a boring moment.

I divide my time between the offices in Plymouth and London. Whilst we obviously abided by the government guidelines during lockdown, it has been great to get everyone physically back into work. It’s wonderful to be able to bounce ideas off each other and is so stimulating.

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

We have such an amazing team at BAM that it’s hard not to feel inspired. Their energy and passion for what we are doing is infectious.

I think I am kept going by the knowledge that we are doing everything we can to create a more sustainable future. We’re all working towards the same goal, so I find people are usually very willing to share information and help each other out. And I am so proud of how far BAM has come. We are, relatively, such a small business but we’ve been pioneering natural activewear since 2006 and now other companies are coming to us for advice.

Horizon Cropped Top & Enduro Leggings (left) Sustain Skirted Leggings & Unity Cropped Top (right)

What is your go to quote when lacking motivation?

Let’s imagine what we could achieve!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

The rise of social media has been instrumental. BAM’s customers are a community of likeminded individuals who live an active life with a light footprint. There is no quicker and better way to share stories and inspire each other than through social media.

How do you want people to feel when they first buy something from BAM Bamboo Clothing?

We want people to fall in love with the clothing and the brand. They are always surprised by how soft and comfortable bamboo clothing can be, and how well it performs as activewear. But we also want our customers to feel completely confident that the clothes they are wearing have been made by a company with complete respect for people and the planet.

We’re making it easy: we have measured the impact of all our clothing and compared it to conventional cotton. Customers can see for every item on BAM’s website how many litres of water have been saved, how many miles of emissions have been avoided and how much land has been farmed pesticide free compared to a conventional cotton equivalent. We’re innovating for our customers and the planet.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your clothing items would you pack?

While international travel has been out of the question I’ve been really relishing the challenge of the South West coast path, which I’ve been doing with a bunch of girlfriends in sections over the last couple of years. It’s such a great way to catch up with each other, and we are loving getting to know the UK better.

The first thing I always pack is one of our base layer. Once you’ve worn one any other base layers just don’t come close.

We introduced our 73 Zero Bamboo Active Jeans last year, which I love. They took us years to develop but they were worth the wait. They look like conventional jeans, but are soft, stretchy and so comfortable. They also take two thirds less water to produce than conventional denim and are recyclable.

I top off the outfit with our new 73 Zero Insulated Jacket: lightweight, warm, made from recycled plastic and 100% recyclable so it need never been thrown away. And the women’s jacket honey colour is gorgeous.

Thermo Zip Base Layer & 73 Zero Denim Jeans (left) and 73 Zero Insulated Jacket (right)

You’ve had almost 30,000 reviews on Feefo, do you believe that reviews help with future sales of your products?

We pride ourselves on our customer service, and great quality products which is why we are always delighted to receive a Feefo Gold Service Award. It’s an independent seal of excellence. Honest reviews provide an indispensable guide, especially to new customers. We are lucky as we benefit from real customer loyalty. Once they have discovered BAM and tried our clothing, our customers stay with us and tell their friends about us.

What’s next for you and your brand?

We’re pioneering 100% recyclable active wear and working tirelessly to find better, natural alternatives to synthetics for activewear. More than 92% of the raw materials used in our clothing are already natural, renewable, grown without pesticides and biodegradable. But we have goals to eliminate the 8% use of synthetics which aren’t fully circular.

With our core UK market continuing to grow, we are also now poised to take BAM global. It’s an exciting time for the company.

Where can people find out more about BAM Bamboo Clothing?

On our website www.bambooclothing.co.uk and through social media.

https://www.facebook.com/BambooClothing

https://www.instagram.com/bamboo_clothing/

https://twitter.com/bam_clothing

https://www.tiktok.com/@bamboo_clothing

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Arts

#CocoLive – Tim Burgess celebrates his 1000th Twitter Listening Party with Blondie.

A simple idea that evolved into a cultural phenomenon. What started as an interim way to occupy The Charlatan’s front man Tim Burgess for a period of three weeks at the onset of the pandemic has become a shining light in what was one of the most tumultuous and unpredictable periods of our lives.

Tim has united music fans through lockdown thanks to his tireless and herculean crusade to promote his musical peers and use the power of social media for good. His Twitter Listening Parties have not only received critical acclaim, but have also provided a much-needed boost to both his fellow musicians and fans alike.

The charismatic singer had the fantastic idea for fans to play a certain album, all starting at the same time, with the artist or significant people behind the album offering commentary and answering questions on Twitter. At a time when people were living in isolation, it was a force for good in social media which sometimes can be a hostile and negative place “I felt like it was something that was really important and that kept me going” he revealed.

Positively received, the listening parties grew and grew and soon listening parties were being organised from the likes of Blur, Oasis, New Order to Paul McCartney and Kylie Minogue.

Last night was the 1000th Twitter Listening Party and it was the turn of Chris Stein and Debbie Harry from the iconic band Blondie to take to the (Twitter) floor and tweet along to their 1978 album ‘Parallel Lines’.

Prior to that, Tim was joined by an illustrious panel which included Helen O’Hara, Nitin Sawhney, Tim Pope, and chair Pete Paphides. Tim recalled the moment that Paul McCartney accepted his response to take part in a listening party “Six weeks later!” in the form of a simple ‘thumbs up’ emoji as one of his highlights. He also commented on how the listening parties has made appreciate and listen to music in a different way naming Spandau Ballet as an example of this.

Blondie’s Chris Stein also joined the panel via Zoom answering questions like ‘What was the best ever gig you played?’ Hyde Park, Glastonbury and Glasgow were named highlights alongside Susannah Hoffs (The Bangles) and Matt Johnson (The The) who also regaled the audience with endearing and funny ancedotes.

When asked what music has had the most impact on him, Tim revealed to the audience that it was The Buzzcocks album ‘Love Bites’ and how he likened them to the Beatles to his dad who swiftly disagreed with Tim’s appraisal which was a lovely insight into a teenage Tim.

1000 listening parties is a phenomenal achievement, but who is on Tim’s wish list now? “Kate Bush or Peter Gabriel would be amazing”

Tim Pope, Helen, Nitin and Charlatans guitarist Mark joined Tim on stage for an exclusive singalong which included some of his most-loved hits and a rousing edition of ‘Come On Eileen’.

What Tim Burgess has done is nothing short of amazing – bringing eternal sunshine to music lovers and enabling both musicians and music fans alike to reexamine and fall in love with both seminal albums and lesser-known gems in real-time.

The Charlatans’ boxset A Head Full Of Ideas and the Twitter Listening Party book are both out now. Head over to https://timstwitterlisteningparty.com/ where you can replay every single listening party in real time.

Words: Emma Harrison, Music Editor

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Beauty

Introducing: Nubyén – The British Clean Beauty & Activewear Brand

Wellness is a word that has well, become something we say nearly every day. The demand for products that enhance our wellbeing is increasing and is re-vamping what we look for within beauty.

If you’re looking for luxurious, effective, and mindful products, then let us introduce you to Nubyén. A brand that focuses on clean cosmetics and activewear. Making women look and feel good

Made in England using only clean, vegan, and cruelty-free ingredients, Nubyén manages to keep science at the core. Nubyén is created by Dr. Lola and a team of practicing Medical Drs alongside Clinical scientists and co-founding Veterinary Scientist, Hanna.

After a trip to Ubud, Bali with her husband, the importance of wellness was something Dr. Lola Rachel realised. That was when Nubyén was created. Since then, Nubyén has become a coveted brand with many cult products. A loyal following means the brand is currently available on FeelUnique, Revolve, Beauty Bay and launched with Net-a-Porter earlier this week.

Ever expanding, with now over 20 beauty products and an activewear range, Nubyen is set to reach new heights. #TeamCoco was lucky enough to have the chance to ask Dr. Lola a few questions about her routine and thoughts on wellness.

The pressure to look perfect is ever-increasing and ‘normal’ is less sought after. At what point did you realise you wanted to offer less invasive options?

That’s a very good question. I feel that we are under pressure consistently. We place our identity in our image. This is normal, however, this can breed insecurities especially with external pressures. I believe that we all have things that make us truly beautiful. Sometimes the things that we loathe another loves. I, therefore, love the notion of us celebrating the features that we have and accentuating them.

As a Dr. have you noticed an increasing interest in wellbeing?

At Nubyén we truly believe in the 360 approach to beauty that beauty, active and wellness go hand in hand. People are becoming highly educated in the products and ingredients that they use and consume. Another area I see is biohacking space where people try to optimise their performance. This can be done via eating habits, learning about hormones, gut health, using clean products and exercise.

The products on Nubyén act as alternatives to cosmetic procedures. At what point would you recommend a procedure?

Nubyén hopes to empower you. Whether you opt for surgical procedures or not. We do not judge and believe that everyone has freedom of choice. Our products also enable people to try without the full commitment of an invasive procedure. We also love that our products are reversible too!

What is your favourite product?

Personally, I love Nubyén Nude, Nubyén Lip Filler, Beautox & Elevated Mood Oil. (I couldn’t help but squeeze in four of my faves)

What is your current beauty routine?

I try to invest some time into my beauty routine, so try to set intentions for my day. First, I cleanse, with Nubyen Allantoin cleanser, then follow with a toner. Before moisturising with Nubyén Validate CBD Supercharged Glow facial moisturiser, which I add a drop of Nubyen elevated mood oil. Lastly, I do my brows but I have noticed I do not feel complete without a lip plumper; I love the feeling of the tingling.

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Interviews

Success Worldwide : The One with Lola Tara

Ibukunoluwa Oyerinde is the brainchild behind Lola Tara and a fierce designer who has fashion in her DNA. Her story is that of strength, inspiration and one that will encourage you to always rise and conquer.

We spent some time with her to find out more about her brand, plans for the future and so much more…

Tell us about the journey that lead you to launching your brand, Lola Tara…

From when I was young with my mother’s patterns books, through my years modelling and after my university studies, fashion has always taken up a large place in my heart. I always knew this is what I wanted to do. After studying Business Marketing, I thought that I had enough of a 360 view of the business to embark on my life dream. It has been a challenging journey but extremely fulfilling.

You’re well traveled and Africa is your mama, where do you feel most at home?

I feel at most at home with my dog, a good meal and good music. I am not attached to an- ywhere physically or geographically.

Since launching the brand, are there any decisions you have made that you later went on to regret?

I don’t really believe in the concept of regret, everything happens in order to learn a lesson in order to be better version of myself. I never lose, I only learn and then win.

How do you want people to feel when wearing your designs?

Empowered, Gorgeous, Comfortable.

If you to describe your brand in three words, what would they be?

Versatile, Stylish, Fun

What advice would you offer to anyone wanting to launch a fashion label?

It is not an easy road but if it is something you really love, then go after your dreams. It is better to try and not succeed in the traditional sense, then it is to regret never trying.

How would you describe your personal style?

Timeless.

Talk us through an average day in your life…

Pray, meditate, stretch, walk my dog and answer emails. Work changes day by day, which includes factory visits, fabric sourcing, meetings with various people, etc. I can tend work late especially when I get into a creative groove. I love food so I enjoy going out for dinner or cooking at home. Pray, meditate, read and sleep.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Not as much as I would thought. It has served the purpose of creating an image for the brand and giving it a bit of validation but ultimately it has been word of mouth and referrals that have played a major role. Also, joining platforms like Wolf and Badger has really given us a boost.

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

Bhutan, Osaka, Lima

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Closed mouths don’t get fed. Ask for help when you need it.

What’s next for you and the brand?

Expanding distribution and producing the next collection, which I am very excited about.

What does self care mean to you?

Taking the time to ensure your peace of mind. Removing anyone or anything that stands in the way of that.

Where can people find out more?

Our Instagram @lolataraofficial and our website www.lolatara.com

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France

Women Worldwide: An Interview with Larada Lamsam of Washed Ashore Jewelry

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Washed Ashore…

Washed Ashore was conceived from my love for Mother Nature and a way for me to express my creativity which has always been inspired by her designs. Jewelry has always held a very special place in my heart. My background is in archaeology and art history, and from my studies, these precious objects have always been revered as sacred objects. To me, jewelry holds sentimental values, making them every day magic. It had always been a dream of mine to make sure that we are creating beautiful jewelry without harming the people and the environment in the making. We were able to achieve that in May 2019, as we relaunched as an all-sustainable jewelry line that we are today.

What’s been the biggest challenge in business that you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge as a small business and setting out to always do what is right, both by the people and the environment, is there is no rule book or guidelines of how to operate. Challenges can be found from day-to-day operations, to finding sustainable alternatives to the traditional way of manufacturing and packaging jewelry. To overcome these issues, we take all options into account and see what makes the most sense, from all aspects, sustainability, financially, and morally.

Washed Ashore

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Compassion, Karma, Sustainability

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of jewelry design?

I would say that it is important to always stay true to who you are in regard to design and the creative process. For me, to achieve the best work, I have to be comfortable with my style and process and just go with whatever flows out. As much as you would like your design to speak to a lot of people, I learned that you can’t sacrifice and compromise your identity to try to please others.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

We are a small team of women, so we all wear different hats when it comes to our day-to-day business. We start out the week with a team call to get the whole team on the same page, and to divide and conquer. Our CEO spearheads and handles all aspects of the company. An average business day for me consists of a balance between design and copywriting work, along with assisting my team with anything they may need.

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

I am very blessed to be surrounded by very supportive people, both in personal life and at work. When I am feeling down, I am reminded of what is truly important. Once you get centered, nothing else really matters. Self-care and meditation are always a good idea to keep the positive vibe going as well.

Washed Ashore

Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit” – Banksy

How much has social media played a role in the success of your jewelry brand?

Social media plays a big role in the growth of Washed Ashore. It is an amazing way to reach and connect with our customers directly. We share the brand’s ethos, philosophy, and beliefs through social media, in the hope that the impact we would like to have in the world can be exposed to our customers. The success comes from the engagement that we have built and created a community of like-minded people who would like to see and be an active player in making the change we would like to see in the world. Our jewelry represents much more than a monetary object.

How do you want people to feel when they first see your designs?

I hope that the designs provide people an experience of nature, subtle, yet powerful at the same time. The designs are not merely just for aesthetics, but intentionally done in the hope of expressing mother nature’s beauty, inspiring people to fall in love with her, igniting the need to protect her.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and do you have a favourite Washed Ashore piece that you would take away with you?

I am a tropical babe at heart, and love to spend time in nature. I have never been to Tahiti and have a good friend who is from there so that is number one on my bucket list. I would take with me the Tarita choker, bracelet, and anklet since they were named after the famous Tahitian actress Tarita Teriipaia.

What’s next for you and your brand?

We are getting ready for the holiday season, we are excited to launch the new holiday pieces so please stay tuned! At Washed Ashore, we are also always striving for higher levels of sustainability so we are working on various certifications. So hopefully we will have some exciting news to share soon.

Where can people find out more about Washed Ashore?

At our website Washed Ashore and our socials:
Instagram – @getwashedashore
Pinterest – Get Washed Ashore

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Interviews

An Insightful Interview with Stacey Dudley of The Clarity Circle

A journey that led to the launching of The Clarity Circle

A problem for a lot of people, as highlighted by Stacey Dudley of The Clarity Circle, is not acknowledging and recognising when they are repeating patterns of behaviour that are detrimental to their physical and emotional well-being. Several years ago, I was one of these people. After yet another challenging relationship, I found myself alone and a single parent to four boys. I was at a crossroads in life – something had to change.

I had always believed that what you think, you create. So, after seeking counselling for my marriage breakdown, I started to look at how I could move my life forward. I turned to self-help books and came across The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It was my first real insight into The Law of Attraction.

I dived deep into this amazing world of aligning with the Universe. After seeing the impact it made on my life, I wanted to share this way of living. I have always had a strong passion for business, huge empathy and a desire to help others, despite how negative I ever felt.

Once I began to see the results I was achieving, I pushed myself further, studying and working hard to develop my skills. I began facilitating Wellbeing, Vision Board and Money Mindset workshops. I gained qualifications in Life Coaching, Mindfulness, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Quantum Holographic Echo Healing and many more. I started to help other separated women adopt a problem-solving attitude. Giving women the confidence to believe in themselves and the knowledge that just because your life had changed from separation, it didn’t mean you had to downgrade. Levelling was the only option for me.

I worked with a coach to gain more experience and focus on how I wanted to help women. From there, The Clarity Circle began. Now The Clarity Circle has evolved to assist passionate female solopreneurs create soul-aligned success within their lives and business.

Why is it important to have a coach?

Every single one of us holds a passion that is deep within. Discovering what is holding you back and overcoming these obstacles will allow you to truly shine your light. Having a Life Coach can help you see a different perspective on situations. It can help you gain clarity and control. It will unleash your potential and input strategies along the way that you can use for the rest of your life.

Stacey Dudley of The Clarity Circle

What’s been the biggest challenge, and how did you overcome it?

People think that if you’re a Life Coach then you have everything figured out, but that isn’t necessarily true. I still spend time working with my coach and go out there to learn new techniques and practices. It benefits my clients, but it also helps to keep me focused and develop as an individual. Are there days when I could just stay in bed with the duvet over my head? Of course! But the key is becoming resilient, recognising your triggers and knowing the tools and techniques which work for you to help get you back on track.

Business mantra in three words

That is a really hard question… my business mantra is so much more than three words, but for this purpose, we can go with – Creating Vibrant Clarity.

The opportunity for people to get into coaching

The Clarity Circle recently became an accredited Executive Training Provider by The International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and an Approved Training provider for The International Association of Therapists, meaning we uphold the knowledge and code of ethics to further educate students.

I have worked so hard to be able to offer this to my audience and I am super excited about getting started. I have so much interest from people already, it’s amazing!

Registration will be opening over the next few months for training to be a coach. I have just opened up a register of interest so people can let me know if it is something that they would like to participate in. There have been quite a few sign ups already, so I strongly recommend signing up as there will be limited spaces available for this first cohort. To register your interest, you can sign up via the Clarity Circle website www.theclaritycircle.co.uk.

This is just the beginning. The Clarity Circle Academy will be the place to secure many qualifications in the future, not just the Coach Certification, so keep your eyes peeled!

An average business day in my life would look like…

I wake up about 6am, meditate, journal my visions for the day and then grab a cup of coffee. Getting my four gorgeous boys ready for school is like a military operation and we set off around 8:15 am. My PT sessions are at 9 am. I adore them, they help get me focused and motivated for the day ahead. Then I head into the office with my high-vibe music blaring out.

The rest of the day can consist of working with 1:1 Clients, going Live in the Clarity Circle Facebook Group or talking as a guest expert on other platforms. I have catch-up meetings with my gorgeous Clarity Circle team to discuss courses, social media, branding and content.

At 3 pm it is time for the school run and between the hours of 4-7 pm it is strictly family time! Then I will usually head back into the office if I’m delivering any training or continue to write my book.

Business can be an upward struggle at times

I remind myself that everything happens for a reason. There are things thrown at us in life to challenge us. Without these times, we wouldn’t be who we are or where we are today. Every time I come across an obstacle, I take a deep breath, ground myself then ask, “How can I overcome this?” I adopt a problem-solving attitude and discover whatever it is I need to learn from this particular situation. Then I come back stronger than ever!

Do you have a go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Ask any of my clients or group members and they will shout “I HAVE A DREAM!” – waving their hands in the air!

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media has been essential for the success that The Clarity Circle has achieved so far. It has allowed me to connect with THE MOST amazing ladies. I have built a group of supportive, like-minded people who are ready to up level their lives and businesses. Social media allows us to share and teach valuable and motivational content. It ensures that people are getting the support and advice that they need to be able to create a life that they truly desire, from any location in the world.

How do you want people to feel when they first come to see you?

I welcome The Clarity Circle clients and potential clients with warmth and empathy. I want them to know I hold space for them whilst we implement tools and techniques to uplevel their lives and that they can trust my accredited knowledge and skills. This in turn will make them feel safe and relaxed but energised and motivated to truly shine their light.

What’s next for you and your brand?

The next thing for The Clarity Circle is delivering our first-ever UK Retreat. Plans for next year’s global retreats are already underway. We are currently interviewing for trained professionals to widen the expertise and knowledge for further developing future certification programmes. Our main focus is upscaling our brand awareness and continuing to make an impact on people’s lives around the world. Our purpose is to create change and a tidal wave of clarity.

Where can people find out more about The Clarity Circle?

You can keep up to date by joining our Facebook Group – The Clarity Circle and by following us on Instagram @theclaritycircleltd AND sign up for our newsletter by going to our website The Clarity Circle

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Accessories

Maxine Wells on becoming London’s Lingerie Lady

In this inspiring guest post, Girl Boss Maxine Wells gives House of Coco the lowdown on how she started her business, Intimate Apparel Samples, became London’s resident lingerie lady.

“Turning creative visions into a reality makes my day job a dream! I am Maxine Wells proud Founder of Intimate Apparel Samples.

My business offers a unique design and development service supporting Intimate Apparel and Swimwear businesses.

I love my job, whether working with start-ups or established brands I enjoy the entire process of supporting my clients along their creative journey to produce high quality collections”

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background, what inspired you to start your business?

I am the youngest of four sisters and was very quiet & introspective as a child. This meant I had a vivid imagination & wild creativity. I enjoyed losing myself in a daydream about what I could create or who I could become.
My daydreaming was a cause of concern at school, with teachers often noting the negative effects it had on my schoolwork, however it has since become one of my superpowers

My ability to form a crystal clear vision of my dream life & mission propels me in their direction, with complete belief that they will manifest externally regardless of my circumstances.

I started my business, because I wanted to add value to the world and I felt I could make a positive impact by creating jobs with a company culture that uplifts and supports those around us.

Our factory & coaching programs also nurture start-ups and independent brands which furthers my mission in supporting people living their dreams & life purpose.

What have been the biggest milestones so far?

There are so many, but moving into our Wembley Park studio in 2018, investing in high tech industrial machinery and hiring full time permanent staff, was a big turning point in the business.

It took a big mindset shift to make those commitments. I was no longer hiding behind ‘busy-ness’ and instead took scary financial risks which has since paid off!

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced on the way to becoming the lingerie lady of London?

Balancing motherhood and business has certainly had its difficult moments, although it is much easier now he’s eight years old.

I suffered the dreaded mum guilt to a severe level when he was younger. I felt there was something fundamentally wrong with me for still having the desire to continue growing my business and wanting to work.

I gave up my first studio when he was a baby and scaled back the business, so I could be a ‘proper mum’. I tried to convince myself I could be fulfilled without working towards my big ambitious dreams, but there came a breaking point where I could no longer lie to myself. I am who I am, and once I embraced that and started pursuing my goals again, both mum and son become much happier.

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

Start small and minimise your risks. Business is a marathon not a sprint, so take small but continuous steps in the direction of your wildest dreams and do everything you can to enjoy the journey otherwise you risk quitting before seeing the results.

Bootstrap at the beginning until you understand your business and industry well, but depending on the business there may come a time when you need to take a calculated risk and invest in the business’ growth. Working harder doesn’t always equate to higher rewards but taking well-thought out risks can.

When the business is going through tough times, remind yourself that if business was easy everyone would be doing it. I have always found this helps me. Also, when things feel hard or messy, it doesn’t mean you are not cut out for this, it simply means you are challenging yourself and you should congratulate rather than be hard on yourself, because you are freaking awesome for pushing outside of your comfort zone.

For more information, visit Intimate Apparel Samples on https://intimateapparelsamples.com/

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Interviews

What do Ancient Japan, the IT Industry, and Sustainable Skincare have in common? They are the foundations of Kenichi Arakawa’s business, EDOBIO

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand EDOBIO…

At the beginning of my journey, I started software and robotics development in the IT industry. Later, I entered the bio industry in hopes to merge IT and bio, and thus started our research on lactic bacterial acid. While efficiency and productivity is of utmost importance in IT development, I felt that it was important to pursue functionality instead.

Culturing lactic bacterial acid uses a fermentation method from ancient Japan as its foundation. People even bathed themselves in rice bran during the Edo period. Using rice bran as part of a beauty method was the key in founding EDOBIO. Fermentation methods, like ones that have been around since ancient Japan, are being used in today’s bio industry, such as food, enzymes, and antibiotics. EDOBIO is a skincare brand that hopes to advocate Japanese wellness, with its foundation in fermentation methods, incorporated with the latest biotechnology to the rest of the world.

Japanese skincare is all the rage at the moment, why do you think this is the case?

I think it’s because the fundamentals of sustainability and minimalism that were cultivated by Japanese people during the Edo period also affects the skincare industry, and I believe that this meets the potential needs of modern people around the world.

As well as skincare products Edobio make tea, why did you decide to include tea alongside skincare?

EDOBIO advocates for being “Biotiful Inside Out.” The phrase “Beautiful Inside Out” is widely understood as being beautiful with your looks as well as your heart or inner body. By adjusting it to “Biotiful Inside Out,” we advocate for the use of biotechnology (Bio) to “create new things that are useful to the world,” which will draw out the natural beauty in your skin, becoming beautiful inside out in a natural way.

It is believed that the teas that have been widely enjoyed since ancient times in Japan also have beauty essentials, which help maintain the beauty of our skin from the inside.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

Bio industry requires time, research funding, and facility investment. A business model that requires a large amount of R&D [Research & Development] investment upfront will directly affect the company’s overall cash flow, if it does not produce results. In order to maintain funding, it’s important for banks and investors to understand the company’s work and potential growth. By conducting collaborative research with universities and research organisations, and collaborating with specialists, we are able to use research facilities and utilise public funding. As a group company as a whole, we are entering into new businesses through M&As [Mergers & Acquisitions), diversifying their businesses, and expanding the businesses of all group companies.

EDOBIO

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

I make sure to follow the next 3 points daily:

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way”
No matter the hurdles you come across, through bold decisions and unwavering determination, you will find a way.

“Take the lead”
No matter the task, be accountable for it and own it. Over time, this will grow and develop initiatives, while giving it your all. When you are too receptive, you won’t be satisfied with your work, which impacts you but also the people around you.

“Work in modesty”
If you are not getting the results you want, it’s not any person or any environment’s fault but your own. You need to maintain this modesty when you work.

I keep these three points close to my heart as I tackle the day.

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of skincare?

When you’re entering a new industry, I would advise you to seek an external advisor or build a partnership, rather than stepping into this new world alone.

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

The most important thing is to have a clear work-life balance. I believe fundamentals are important, so I stick to a routine by starting my day at 8:30 and leaving the office at 17:30 sharp.

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

I go to the sea and spend a day on my boat on my days off. I also cook everyday.

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

I tell myself, “No mountain is insurmountable,” and tackle my next task.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Social media enables us to target an audience, spread brand recognition, and connect with people all over the world, no matter where you are. Also considering the pandemic, social media has become the biggest tool to share product information for EDOBIO.

The biggest benefit of social media and influencer marketing within the beauty industry is you have the ability to shape the brand’s image and narrative and share them.

When a brand utilises social media and able to connect with their audience, that brand can share use-case scenarios or information, lead sales, and increase revenue. EDOBIO is constantly collaborating with the world’s top influencers through social media. We are strengthening EDOBIO’s beauty identity by utilising media and through important relationships and sponsor systems.

How do you want people to feel when they first try one of the EDOBIO skincare products?

We are committed to essential beauty, starting from the packaging to the quality of our products. I hope people can feel the professionalism as well as a sense of comfort that our products bring.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list and which of your products would you take on your travels?

Switzerland is on my bucket list, and my favorite product is Moisturizing Souffle Soap (10g). It’s the perfect size for when you’re traveling.

What’s next for you and your brand?

As the president of the company, I hope to continue M&A [Mergers & Aquisitions] while entering new fields. I want to expand our academic-industrial collaborations and develop relationships with new universities and research facilities. As for the brand, I want to continue to steadily expand while creating one-of-a-kind products. We’re hoping to increase our SKU’s next year, as well as strengthening the shipping and export system to other countries. I hope more people will get the opportunity to enjoy EDOBIO.

Where can people find out more about EDOBIO?

Since launching in 2018, EDOBIO has established a global brand presence. The products are beloved by both male and female customers and available internationally. Currently customers can find Edobio in shops in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the United States or the products can be purchased online at edobio.com and shipped worldwide.

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Belgium

From a wedding centrepiece to the launch of Sweet Tree by Browns, we interview founder Christina Bull

Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Sweet Tree by Browns…

The idea came about just over 10 years ago when my daughter Charlee was getting married. In typical bride-to-be fashion she wanted her centrepieces to stand out from anything that had been seen before. And so, it began… hours of doodling ideas, often late into the evening, trying to come up with the perfect table creation. Having been trained as a pastry chef in my father’s kitchens, I used my skills to create ideas using chocolate. Eventually, with no time to spare, I came up with the idea of trees made from our family and friends’ favourite chocolates and sweets. At last, something deliciously different which was a huge success at the wedding!

People enjoyed the Sweet Trees so much I began to think, wouldn’t it be great if we could share them with more people? That’s where the business began. It took years of frustration and occasional tears to finally make them look and taste as yummy as they are today. When we first started, we used polystyrene balls in the centre of the tree. However, we have now moved onto a chocolate crispy core so practically all of the tree (except for the wooden stem and glass vase) is edible!

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge that I have faced during the last 10 years is falling ill and being diagnosed with a neurological condition called Myelitis. When I first fell ill, I became partially paralysed and was unable to walk or even talk properly. However, with the support of my family and people close to me, as well as my own strength (and stubbornness!), I persevered to get stronger each day and not let my disabilities hold me back. After years of undergoing different treatments and physio, I am now able to walk (albeit for short distances), talk, and run a team of up to 20 people.

If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Family (my business started as a family business; my team today are my family).

Perseverance (we have got to where we are today through hard work, determination, and perseverance)

Crazy (You must be a bit nuts to work with my mad lot)

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of artisan chocolate production?

Keep up-to-date with trends but try to keep your ideas original, make sure your products have a point of difference. There are so many beautiful companies and products out there, you need to make sure you stand out to succeed.

Sweet Tree by Browns

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

We are a small business working from my family home. In small businesses you tend to do a bit of everything- even as the boss. My business day starts with me walking down the stairs from my bedroom into the office (the room which was once my living room!) This is where I do all the boring things that I like the least – cash flow, finances etc.

As the business has grown over the years, it has managed to spread across every room in the house (apart from my bedroom). My dining room is now a chocolate room -floor to ceiling with racks of molded chocolate smash cakes, plaques etc. My kitchen is our main production area. Here is where the team work together to get the orders made, packed, and sent out. This is the place I like to be the most. I like being in the thick of it. My job in production is personalising our Sweet Trees and writing chocolate messages on our chocolate gifts.

Every day is different, but no day at Sweet Trees is boring!

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

The most important thing for me is being able to laugh. My family and my team are what keep my going and keep me laughing!

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

Shit Happens… only joking!

My house is covered in hundreds of quotes I couldn’t pick one.

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

More so now than ever before. We’ve recently jumped on the TikTok hype, we’re amazed at the impact it’s had already. Our Instagram is really coming into its own and growing it’s following every day.

How do you want people to feel when they first try some of your chocolate gifts?

We want them to think: “Mmmmm this is really nice”.

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and have you ever been anywhere that produces the cocoa bean?

I would love to go San Francisco.

Many years ago, I went to Kenya.

What’s next for you and your brand?

Moving premises. When I say we have outgrown my family home, that is an understatement. We currently have four sheds in our garden which are used for storing packaging and hundreds of kilos of Belgian chocolate.

We want and need to move to a unit so that we can expand our team, take on more retailers, and grow the business. However, finding the right place hasn’t been an easy feat. Hopefully 2022 will be our year!

Where can people find out more about Sweet Tree by Browns?
Website – Sweet Tree by Browns
Instagram – @sweettreebybrowns
Facebook – Sweet Tree by Browns
TikTok – @sweettreebybrowns

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Georgia

Women Worldwide Interview with Nino and Irina of Beauty Brand Zeg Skincare

We interviewed Nino Oniani and Irina Keidia via zoom recently for our Women Worldwide series. These female entrepreneurs have shown us that passion, determination, and knowledge can lead to a dream vocation in life. Read on to find out more about Zeg Skincare and what goes into running the business.

Tell us about the journey that led you both to launch your brand Zeg Skincare…

I have always been committed to giving best care to my skin. I was researching the most powerful formulas available on the market, however the more I researched the more I understood potential harm of some of the ingredients in those formulas. For the past few years I opted for the best botanical products available on the market, however I soon realised they didn’t meet my expectations in terms of delivering results, no matter how expensive the botanical brand was. That was when I decided to look around and research properly how could botanicals really work when you add proper scientific knowledge to it.

I was lucky to know some of worlds’ best scientists in the field who created custom made formulas for my skin. The result was tremendous. This period coincides with my true passion with entrepreneurship and the credit goes to Imperial College Business School where I had just graduated from my MBA and met some incredibly successful entrepreneurs who had started up just a few years before, and had successfully grown their companies. They not only inspired me, but they actually taught me. I decided to dedicate my career to entrepreneurship, and I had two conditions for it, one was, the business I would start should be scalable and another was it should definitely be my passion. Skincare and Beauty ticked all those boxes, in addition I had access to the yet undiscovered Georgian nature, a country that is nestled between Europe and Asia, which has tremendously diverse climate zones and a wide variety of potent medicinal botanicals. I then approached longtime friend Irina, who shared my passion about skincare, she is also one of the leading marketing specialists in Georgia. We both had individual expertise which would work perfectly together to deliver the best possible product. We set to create an independent beauty company, with clean, potent ingredients that deliver results.

Our strategy is accessibility; and we want all our products to be affordable to as many people as possible. – Nino Oniani

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?

The Pandemic has been our biggest challenge so far, especially with product development which slowed the process down. Uncertainty is probably one of our biggest issues as well. – Irina Keidia

If you to were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?

Results-Driven
Forward-Looking
Honest

What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the skincare business?

Be persistent, be patient, and be hard working, but most of all have a deep passion for what you’re doing. Science knowledge is probably one of the biggest assets if you want to deliver a good product. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia

Talk us through an average business day in your life…

Almost every day starts following up our ongoing tests, trials and research. Because we are in the active NPD phase this is an essential part of our business. I think it is a very exciting time right now to be in this business; science advances, including opportunities given by BioTech gives us lots of possibilities to move forward.

This process is followed up by meeting with our scientists most days who are based in the UK near London. These meetings are probably the most important ones for us at the moment as this is where we have the chance to deliver some truly great products, by tweaking, testing, and altering even slightly you can get something completely new.

Recap on sales and marketing activity is also part of our daily activity. We decided to go down the route of having our own state of the art online store, to us this means daily review of the sales channel. While Irina might be doing that, some days I might be engaged with the investor zoom meetings. – Nino Oniani

Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?

This whole journey is rather difficult, I will not sugarcoat this for you. Problem solving on a daily basis is part of the process. The value chain in our business involves many stakeholders, meaning there are many things that can go wrong. Staying positive is probably not part of our strategy, I would say that actually solving problems is. Being an early bird probably helps us both! – Irina Keidia

What is your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

To be honest situations vary and so do our motivational approaches. What helps most is encouragement from one another. But if there are any quotes we can think of, then these two are probably the ones that make us think big to not lose motivation. – Nino Oniani & Irina Keidia

“If you can’t do it with feeling, don’t.”

by Patsy Cline

“For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win.”

by Dhirubhai Ambani

How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?

Nowadays social media is a key consumer marketing tool, it allows us to connect and engage with potential customers, easily reach them, share directly updated information about products and their benefits, and allows us immediate interaction and customer feedback. It is quite Important to make engaging content to get attention. Our target customers are professional skintelligent women who have money to spend and want to keep their skin looking good. They are self confident, passionate about skincare and a healthy lifestyle, they have ‘Digital First’ attitude, with social media a primary source of brand reviews and product information.– Irina Keidia

How do you want people to feel when they first see and try your products?

We want people to feel empowered when they use our products. We want to emphasis their natural beauty. We don’t want our users to live up to a standard of none existent beauty. We can promise to help make better versions of themselves with long term health in mind. – Irina Keidia

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and which of your products would you take traveling with you?

There are a few favourite destinations, they include Italy and Montenegro, but desirable locations would probably be Jamaica or Mexico. We would always take our Oxygen Serum and Eye Patches with us wherever we visit in the world. But we would also like intrepid travellers to come and visit our very own Georgia to see the beautiful mountains and the nature that surrounds us. – Irina Keidia

What’s next for you and your brand?

We are going in to a speciality and SPA product market, keep your eyes peeled as you might see ZEG Spa in a number of places around the world soon. – Nino Oniani

Where can people find out more about Zeg Skincare?

Instagram: @zegskincare
Website: Zeg Beauty

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