Leading ladies championing living well with 100% transparency
This IWD, we speak to four female entrepreneurs who place authenticity at the forefront of their sustainability and well-being businesses
Text: Rebecca Morais
Ever heard of the term green-washing or even health-washing? As the wellbeing and sustainability industries are expanding at a rate of knots, it’s hard to tell what truly is good for the environment and indeed ourselves. This International Women’s Day we shine a spotlight on women who are creating real change and impact through creating truly authentic products and services. From environmental activism, and sustainable sourcing to healthy and wholesome eating and supporting important social causes; these women show us that sustainable and healthful living is not just a buzzword to “greenwash” a company’s activities. They take genuine care and responsibility for creating positive social and environmental outcomes. They also have top tips on how to live well — what they do in their daily lives to make a difference.
These four entrepreneurs are at the forefront of change, nurturing distinct segments of the communities to see real and positive impact while running a successful business.
Emma Paris, Director of Balanced Living & Living Cafe
Emma Paris, Director of Balanced Living & Living Cafe
Balanced Living is Singapore’s centre of wellness offering holistic health support from supplements, a café, and gut health meal plans to expert practitioners.
Guardian of Health and Wellbeing
Emma assesses her customers’ needs very carefully and is committed to providing tailored solutions with her team of experts. "We carefully select and curate the products we offer to ensure that we have offered the best quality out there. It is important to us to also always have something for everyone, no matter where they are on their journey. Whether that is a supplement we sell, the programmes or the food we serve in our cafe, the cornerstone of what we do is about helping people find their balance in life and our practitioners are all experts in their respective fields ready to help."
Listening and Responding to Our Customer’s Needs
“The last two years have been very hard for many businesses but in that time, we have evolved to cater to people’s changing needs and a renewed interest in health and wellness. It’s been amazing to see how our new online programmes and delivered meal plans have provided a lifeline for so many. I’m constantly humbled by other people’s testimonials and success stories and that continually drives us to do more and to innovate our services.”
Championing Local Wellness Brands
“I'm really excited and proud of our growing stable of homegrown Singapore wellness brands, both in our cafe and our retail pharmacy. We are passionate advocates of supporting local brands that are making a difference in the wellness scene." said Emma.
Emma’s top three health hacks:
● Eat a diet that is low in inflammatory foods. I'm a great believer in the 80/20 rule, but be mindful of the worst inflammatory foods and avoid those as much as possible. Refined vegetable oils and sugar are the worst culprits!
● Do as much as you can to reduce your daily toxic load by drinking clean water free from pollutants. I never leave home without my Epic Water bottle, which means I'm drinking delicious pure water and never buying a single-use plastic bottle! Switch your home cleaning products to natural-based products. We love local brands like Agape Nature and Soapnut Republic.
● Ditch commercial beauty products for clean alternatives that use natural ingredients. We value local brands like As Purely where a lot of science has gone into their products and they are so natural and gentle on the skin.
● And finally, I always remind women that they have to look after themselves physically and mentally. So, work out what it is you need to feel happy and fulfilled and don't feel guilty about taking the time to find your balance!
For more information on Balanced Living: www.balancedlivingasia.com/ | www.thelivingcafe.com
Sonya Sukha, Co-Founder bamboo bowls
Sonya Sukha, Co-Founder bamboo bowls
Singapore’s healthful Asian Fast Food concept store serving completely contactless bowls from custom-built pods
100% authentic Asian recipes to promote health and wellbeing
“Our goal at bamboo bowls is to bring healthy Asian food to our community in an affordable and innovative way. Our bowls are composed of whole foods, organic ingredients, antibiotic-free and sustainably farmed meat or seafood, zero-sugar, and nothing processed or refined."
“When it comes to sustainability, some of the actions we have taken include switching to planet-friendly cutlery, allowing customers to compost their waste in store, avoiding plastic, and working with our suppliers to do the same. We also source from sustainable farms. We know these are small steps, but we believe that taking these steps is an important starting point that will hopefully inspire our community.”
Collaboration with Chefs and Innovators to Promote Healthy, Sustainable, Tech-Led Dining
"We are still in the early stages of our start-up. We have come far though with our Research & Development (R&D) of our healthier bowls which are inspired by our Asian cuisine but created to appeal to local and international diners. We have great partnerships with incredible chefs who have elevated our food, and the development of the technology behind our custom-built pods allows contactless food collection within minutes. All these elements coming together have been very exciting! But all that aside, I am most proud of our team and the passion we all carry towards a better future!"
Sonya’s top three health hacks:
My biggest health hack is to take a holistic view of health. Consuming better food alone isn't enough. The top three components that lead to more excellent health are food, movement, and purpose.
● Movement is a huge part of health. Forget fancy gyms - just move!! I think many people don't realise movement can easily be integrated into daily life. You don't have to go to the gym to be fit and healthy. Blast music and dance with your kids, meet up with friends for a hike instead of drinks at the bar, cycle to work, carry your babies (instead of pushing them in a pram - the best workout). There are many ways to integrate movement or "fitness" into daily life.
● When it comes to food, I would say eat more local produce. Imported food is expensive, and nutrients decline every day it travels. Fresh local produce is more nutrient-dense and way cheaper!
● When it comes to sustainability, companies can make a much more significant impact than individual consumers, but as consumers, we can put our dollar (or demand) in the companies that are taking steps toward more sustainable practices. This will create a trickle-down effect throughout our local businesses.
For more information on bamboo bowls: www.bamboobowls.com/.
Rachel Chan, Executive Director of LUXE Botanics
Rachel Chan, Executive Director of LUXE Botanics
LUXE Botanics is an award-winning, eco-luxury skincare brand powered by potent, sustainably harvested botanicals and leading-edge green chemistry.
Transparency in our Processes to Achieve International Standards
“We recently achieved our CosmEthically ACTIVE Certification. It's the highest standard of scientific efficacy in green beauty that evaluates a product based on the natural origin of ingredients, the concentration of active ingredients and ingredients working in synergy to deliver results, and ethical principles. Only 13 other brands in the world hold this mark. It took three years in the making, verifying the organic credentials of our botanicals and every one of our suppliers."
Ethical Sourcing to Achieve Commercial Viability for Partners
According to Rachel, creating a business that is equitable for all is important to LUXE Botanics. “We work with our harvesters in rural communities in Kenya, Malawi, and the Amazon to protect their habitat and livelihoods, choosing our botanicals based on clinical evidence, conservation, and human equity. To date we've also empowered almost 10 thousand people by giving back with every purchase of LUXE, working with our partners Buy1Give, paying it forward by providing microloans for women to start their own enterprises and children the means to receive an education.”
Rachel’s top three health hacks:
● Try to spend some time in nature every day. Humans are naturally biophilic, which means we seek out nature to re-energise. You don't have to be in a forest or a mountain top to reap the benefits. Green space can mean parks, gardens, or even grassy areas. The UN Climate report which came out at the end of February reported climate change is upon us far faster than anticipated. We need nature, and we must conserve and protect it.
● Use what you already have. Having a start-up gave me no choice on some days, but ask yourself, when you buy something, do I need it, or do I want it? If you want it, give it a couple of days and see whether the urge is still there. I get it. We all want to treat ourselves sometimes, so if there is something that I have my eye on, I make sure it's an item I'll treasure for years to come or from a brand that reflects the same values as my own.
● Make time for and never stop investing in yourself. As a new mum, I fully comprehend that sometimes there are just not enough hours in the day, but it's essential to keep a part of your day for yourself or invest in your self-development, whether it be a hobby or a new skill your business. Switching off helps us to switch back on again.
For more information on Luxe Botanics: www.luxebotanics.com
Brandy Dallas, Founder of Sans Faff
San Faff is Singapore's first Waste Neutral fashion label in partnership with Nu Cycle.
Traceability and Transparent Green Credentials
"Since our launch in 2020, it's been our top priority to take full accountability for the entire lifecycle of our raw materials and finished pieces from the cradle to the grave. As of 2021, we can now trace exactly how, where and under what conditions the bamboo used for our fabric is grown. Sans Faff's internationally-recognised certifications also ensure all bamboo involved in the production of our clothing has been rigorously audited to ensure its harvesting doesn't contribute to natural habitat loss or deforestation. In addition, our fabrics are also certified organic by ECOCERT, and OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 Certified to be free from harmful chemicals." says Brandy.
Singapore’s First Waste-Neutral Fashion Label
"Last year we became Singapore's first waste neutral fashion label in partnership with Nu Cycle. Nu Cycle conducts an in-depth audit of the annual amount of waste we create throughout our supply chain. The equivalent weight of our annual waste is removed from the environment in some of the world's most impacted regions. We're proud to share that Sans Faff's offset credits are already having an impact; ocean plastics are being removed from nature and are being converted into fuel in Indonesia by Nu Cycle's offset partner Geo Trash Management."
Brandy’s top three sustainability hacks:
● Buy less – think twice before you make that impulse buy.
● Buy better – instead of buying three shirts from a fast fashion brand, invest in one well-made wardrobe staple that will last.
● Cost Per Wear – if buying from sustainable brands seems a bit pricier, think about the cost per wear. If it is well made and will last, it will be worth the investment.
For more information on Sans Faff: www.sansfaff.com/.
Stay authentic, trust your instinct and find your passion. The Soothe dishes out wellness, relationship, career advice, and dealing with failure in last year’s IWD tribute.
