Today is International Women’s Day and it’s a great time to celebrate women’s achievements in the entrepreneurial world. Here at Natural Collection we strive to support female-founded and female-owned businesses wherever we can – here’s some of our favourites.
Miniml
Some brands aim to leave their mark on the world, but Miniml is working to avoid just that – and with over 250 tonnes of plastic saved so far they’re delivering on their goal. Suffering from sensitive skin, founder Emma Tapper set out to help others like her, using natural vegan-friendly, cruelty-free ingredients to minimise irritation. So products like their anti-bacterial hand soap are gentle on your hands as well as the environment.
Beauty Kitchen
Why can’t beauty products have sustainable ingredients AND packaging? That’s the question that led Jo Chidley to create Beauty Kitchen with its reusable, recyclable bottles and all-natural formulas. Their Bright Night intensive cream harnesses the power of sustainable microalgae to nourish and rejuvenate your complexion.
Cheeky Panda
A trip to China inspired the creation of Cheeky Panda and their bamboo-derived toilet paper – a range that’s since grown to include kitchen towels, period pads and anti-bacterial wipes. Under the leadership of Julie Chen and Chris Forbes it’s become a bestselling brand and won countless awards. Take their silky soft toilet tissue for a spin and you’ll see why.
FRUU Cosmetics
Turning plant-based ingredients and “wonky” fruit into sustainable cosmetics is the name of the game for FRUU, founded by Kelly Yee and Terence Chung in 2015. This makes them biodegradable and vegan-friendly by default – plus they donate a portion of profits to the World Wide Fund for Nature. So you can pick up a new cherry lip balm set with the knowledge you’re also doing some good in the world.
Seep
Telly fans might know Laura Harnett from her appearance on Dragon’s Den, where she secured a £50,000 investment from Deborah Meaden and Trinny Woodall – making Seep women-funded as well as women-founded. They specialise in high-quality plastic-free cleaning supplies, like these natural cellulose sponges with loofah scourers, their most popular product.
FLO
A conversation in a women’s bathroom about organic tampons was the genesis for Flo, with founders Tara Chandra and Susan Allen seeking a natural, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic period products. They aim to combat the stigma surrounding menstruation by supporting menstrual charities, dishing out clear, friendly info on their blog, and making their products – like these organic bamboo day pads – as accessible and affordable as possible.
Catherine’s Originals
Catherine Dodd founded Catherine’s Originals when she was just 18, and under her stewardship it’s grown from a humble home kitchen operation to a nationwide supplier of vegan chocolates. Their Summer Selection provides a wide range of cheery fruit flavours, all completely dairy-free and ethically produced.