Founder Spotlight: Natalie Lennick (Green Ablutions)
Meet Natalie Lennick
Company:
Green Ablutions
Green Ablutions is solving the plastic pollution crisis in your bathroom with sustainable shampoo and conditioner bars! Each bar replaces up to 3 bottles of salon quality product and supports endangered sea turtles.
Startup Stage:
Bootstrapped
Location:
Philadelphia, USA
When did you launch the business?
2019
What led you to where you are today?
A few years ago, I was surprised to learn how broken our recycling process is - only 9% of plastic worldwide is actually recycled. It was clear that reducing everyday plastic was a necessary action but I struggled to find quality replacements. After unsuccessfully trying every shampoo bar on the market, I decided to do it myself.
What do you wish you knew before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey?
You don’t have to take every piece of advice offered (even if it comes from someone more successful). I’m shocked by how often established business leaders have recommended strategies that are exploitative, for example: paying someone for photography with ‘exposure’ instead of money. I’d rather build an authentic brand slowly than a unicorn on the backs of others.
What is the most difficult decision you've had to make regarding your business so far?
I received my first wholesale order in March, just two days before COVID closed schools and businesses in my state. I delayed my retail launch for months until I felt comfortable encouraging customers into stores. During that time, I offered free shipping on orders through our website and ate the cost to encourage new business. 2020 has been full of challenges and surprises.
What can you help the VEGPRENEUR community with?
I’m always happy to support other sustainable businesses. Reach out if you would like to collaborate.
How can the VEGPRENEUR community help you?
You can help Green Ablutions grow by buying our products and leaving a review, sharing our social media with your networks, or referring us to your favorite retail shop.
Fun fact about you:
I’m an accomplished seamstress and made over 200 cloth masks for local hospitals this year.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Every Green Ablutions purchase ships plastic-free and we offset our emissions through a partnership with Pachama.
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