GT –What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
I do love testing the products! With four market facing brands, and two with a significant pipeline of new products, over the past two years we have been very busy with product development, testing and refinement. When we all get in the next morning and gather the initial feedback, I find it really interesting to hear the diversity of what people are looking for and its a great challenge to solve as we try to make the best products possible. When we get this right, it is the easiest way to influence consumer spending habits and business procurement decisions – our products need to be better than all the rest to make sure no one buys from us as a ‘charity’ purchase. Sales of our everyday and luxury soaps mean more employment for people who really need it.
GT – Who’s inspired you most in your career?
I am inspired by people who have a strong conviction that they want to effect positive change in society and the environment. When I read about what Dame Ellen MacArthur has done following her sailing career, back in 2010 it was a real inspiration to how people with conviction can really make an impact and ultimately changed the course of my own career in 2015 when I left the corporate sector and became a social entrepreneur!
GT – If you were an item in a supermarket, what would you be?
I would be a really expensive bottle of ethically sourced, fair trade red wine from an exotic part of the world.
GT – If you had to do it all over again, what would you do different?
No regrets as I learnt from each and every adventure, though some hard bits I wish had been easier to navigate!
GT –What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
I wonder if anyone has ever answered this one honestly? …that would be telling!
GT –Who or what makes you laugh?
My nieces and nephews – I love being a big kid, and they make it even easier!
GT – Do you have any hidden talents?
Absolutely none, I am a pretty open book, though I do wish I had a party trick.
GT –Who would be your favourite party guest?
Michael McIntyre.
GT – What is the greatest luxury in your life?
Being of healthy body and mind – its underrated by so many, but absolutely critical.
GT – What is your favourite guilty pleasure?
A hot bath with our The Soap Co. Lemongrass & Ginger bath oil, a glass of Forty Hall wine and some dark Divine Chocolate (a social enterprise trio!)
GT – Do you have any secret ambitions?
Learning to be a bee keeper.
GT – What’s your dream holiday destination?
I think Sri Lanka is a place I would love to visit, riding around on a motorbike from beach to beach, meeting great people and eating yummy food!
GT –What are your three favourite movies of all time?
Life of Pi, The Lobster & Forrest Gump.
GT – What is your favourite book of all time?
Cradle-to-Cradle is a must.
GT –What’s your favourite pastime?
I just started playing hockey again after a few years out and am really enjoying the camaraderie and everything that comes from a team sport.
GT – If you won the Lottery, what would you do?
Try not to lose the ticket…
GT –What would be your advice to someone thinking about coming into this industry?
Think about how your contribution can help it become even better! There is a lot of innovation, but I would urge people to ensure that two things are at the heart of the product and supply chain design: ‘circular’ and ‘social’. If we start designing better products that really factor in externalities, we can grow the industry with positive consumerism and guilt-free purchases!
CLARITY-THE SOAP CO. CLARITY-The Soap Co. has been providing meaningful employment for blind, visually impaired and disadvantaged people since 1854. We are not your typical charity – we don’t fundraise and don’t request donations. We provide employment to people who really need it by simply creating and selling great products like our brand new CLARITYECO+ range, entering grocers in 2018. We have a no compromise approach to combining our environmentally friendly and socially responsible ethos. We are above all a forward thinking social enterprise that translates our beliefs into action and hopes to drive changes in consumer perception.
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