1 00:00:04,730 --> 00:00:06,900 welcome back to the Live Lightly podcast. 2 00:00:06,900 --> 00:00:09,030 Today I'm joined by Amanda Runkle. 3 00:00:09,030 --> 00:00:14,190 She is the co -founder of Me Mother Earth, which is a woman -owned plastic -free 4 00:00:14,190 --> 00:00:19,330 online shop that prioritizes two things, their customers and Mother Earth. 5 00:00:19,330 --> 00:00:23,930 They offer a range of products that minimize plastic usage, utilize natural 6 00:00:23,930 --> 00:00:27,530 materials, and promote effortless reusability. 7 00:00:27,530 --> 00:00:43,470 Their mottos are Small Steps Matter, Let's Stop Plastic, and Help Our Mother Earth. 8 00:00:43,470 --> 00:00:46,850 And change begins with you and me. 9 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:47,850 Welcome, Amanda. 10 00:00:47,850 --> 00:00:49,846 Thank you for joining me today. 11 00:00:50,020 --> 00:00:52,252 We're absolutely excited to be here. 12 00:00:52,366 --> 00:00:54,776 Yeah, I'm super excited for this conversation. 13 00:00:54,776 --> 00:00:57,686 This is like one of my geeking out topics. 14 00:00:57,686 --> 00:01:03,846 I just don't know why I like talking about eliminating plastic use in my household so 15 00:01:03,846 --> 00:01:05,064 much, but I do. 16 00:01:05,064 --> 00:01:10,896 It's like a rabbit hole you fall into and then you can't get out. 17 00:01:11,054 --> 00:01:17,114 Yes, I'm still in it, but your store provides so many solutions that I didn't 18 00:01:17,114 --> 00:01:22,554 have back in the day When I started this seven years ago, it was like slim pickns' 19 00:01:22,554 --> 00:01:27,414 on the internet piecing together everything, but before we get into that, I 20 00:01:27,414 --> 00:01:32,694 want to just have our listeners know a little bit about who you are and what 21 00:01:32,694 --> 00:01:35,078 inspired you to start Mother Earth. 22 00:01:35,940 --> 00:01:42,700 Yeah, so we started it unofficially, well, officially, but unofficially in 2018, but 23 00:01:42,700 --> 00:01:48,600 I still had a full -time job and it was just kind of like, we want to have, 24 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:49,720 financial independence. 25 00:01:49,720 --> 00:01:54,400 We want to have the ability to go on vacation whenever we want and trips 26 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:55,100 whenever we want. 27 00:01:55,100 --> 00:01:57,910 So that's kind of what spurred us to start our own business. 28 00:01:57,910 --> 00:02:00,100 My husband and I started it together. 29 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:03,908 And then I was able to like leave my job. 30 00:02:03,908 --> 00:02:05,208 we weren't making money yet. 31 00:02:05,208 --> 00:02:10,588 I just did it, you know, like feet all in, jump into it. 32 00:02:10,588 --> 00:02:14,988 And, you know, when you put all your effort into one thing, you're definitely 33 00:02:14,988 --> 00:02:20,758 going to go somewhere, right? 34 00:02:20,758 --> 00:02:26,668 So really, we started in 2019 where we were like all in, and we only had one 35 00:02:26,668 --> 00:02:26,978 product. 36 00:02:26,978 --> 00:02:29,476 It was a collapsible straw kit. 37 00:02:29,476 --> 00:02:35,956 And we did a lot of pop -up events, a lot of little markets in the Las Vegas area. 38 00:02:35,956 --> 00:02:37,936 We would travel around to California. 39 00:02:37,936 --> 00:02:40,286 My background's in event marketing. 40 00:02:40,286 --> 00:02:45,496 So I always find it to be the most fun type of marketing, because you're face -to 41 00:02:45,496 --> 00:02:49,896 -face with consumers, and you get to tell them why you should be using a reusable 42 00:02:49,896 --> 00:03:08,698 straw versus a plastic one, and why it's going to reduce waste 43 00:03:08,698 --> 00:03:11,048 And we just love the face -to -face aspect. 44 00:03:11,048 --> 00:03:15,368 And I do miss it a little bit being an online shop. 45 00:03:15,368 --> 00:03:18,368 So we still occasionally do some pop -ups here and there. 46 00:03:18,368 --> 00:03:22,848 And we have, you can come shop in our office in Las Vegas. 47 00:03:22,848 --> 00:03:27,988 We open it up on Mondays, So locals can come in and shop there. 48 00:03:27,988 --> 00:03:28,932 But we're, 49 00:03:28,932 --> 00:03:30,792 now an online store. 50 00:03:30,792 --> 00:03:33,192 And it's just been a journey, right? 51 00:03:33,192 --> 00:03:37,552 We started with one product, and then we're like, we realized, you know, there's 52 00:03:37,552 --> 00:03:39,592 a lot of plastic in our homes. 53 00:03:39,592 --> 00:03:42,032 Like, what else can we be providing? 54 00:03:42,032 --> 00:03:47,952 And it wasn't easy to find all these types of products even just a few years ago. 55 00:03:47,952 --> 00:03:51,672 It's really kind of blown up in popularity. 56 00:03:52,580 --> 00:03:56,680 Which is good and bad, like some companies obviously are just trying to join the 57 00:03:56,680 --> 00:03:57,760 bandwagon. 58 00:03:57,760 --> 00:04:01,660 We'll get to talking about greenwashing later, I'm sure. 59 00:04:02,200 --> 00:04:07,700 But yeah, so it was just a process of seeing the plastic that was in my home and 60 00:04:07,700 --> 00:04:14,100 then trying to find a product or a solution that would fix whether the 61 00:04:14,100 --> 00:04:17,636 packaging just needed to be changed or actual... 62 00:04:17,636 --> 00:04:22,436 the materials of the product needed to be changed and finding solutions that worked 63 00:04:22,436 --> 00:04:23,676 for me. 64 00:04:23,676 --> 00:04:28,116 And I'm pretty picky, so then I knew it would resonate with other people and they 65 00:04:28,116 --> 00:04:30,576 would also have that need. 66 00:04:31,136 --> 00:04:37,616 And so, yeah, now here we are six years later and we have over 100 products. 67 00:04:37,616 --> 00:04:38,212 And... 68 00:04:38,212 --> 00:04:39,392 Yeah, we're doing pretty well. 69 00:04:39,392 --> 00:04:45,392 We sell wholesale and on our website and we do have some products on Amazon 70 00:04:45,392 --> 00:04:49,832 because, you know, as a small business, you kind of have to for discoverability. 71 00:04:49,992 --> 00:04:52,992 But, yeah, it's been great. 72 00:04:53,274 --> 00:05:10,474 Yeah, when I started seven years ago, I really wish that you had been there. 73 00:05:10,474 --> 00:05:17,128 I remember when I started my journey seven years ago, it was, shopping on online and 74 00:05:17,128 --> 00:05:17,628 -hmm. 75 00:05:17,806 --> 00:05:21,986 two day delivery and free returns, right? 76 00:05:22,426 --> 00:05:26,726 And every time I found a product I was excited about, I'd get it and it'd be like 77 00:05:26,726 --> 00:05:29,466 in a box full of plastic. 78 00:05:29,466 --> 00:05:32,146 Like, you know, packaging, that was super unnecessary. 79 00:05:32,146 --> 00:05:35,046 Or it was in a plastic bag, right? 80 00:05:35,046 --> 00:05:37,026 I didn't know what to do with any of it. 81 00:05:37,026 --> 00:05:40,206 And I'm like, great, here's my bamboo toothbrush. 82 00:05:41,846 --> 00:05:47,086 So it was super frustrating to go through that process or you would get the thing. 83 00:05:47,086 --> 00:05:52,926 and the thing wasn't really well made or it was packaged in a little plastic, you 84 00:05:52,926 --> 00:05:56,686 know, whatever packaging and like, why? 85 00:05:56,826 --> 00:06:01,386 Isn't the whole point like to get away from packaging that's plastic, not just 86 00:06:01,386 --> 00:06:02,946 the toothbrush that's plastic. 87 00:06:02,946 --> 00:06:05,116 So yeah, I totally understand. 88 00:06:05,116 --> 00:06:09,426 And it sounds like if you were going through that journey around the same time, 89 00:06:09,426 --> 00:06:16,398 like what were your resources as someone who was looking to sell the product? 90 00:06:16,398 --> 00:06:17,778 yourself. 91 00:06:18,244 --> 00:06:23,924 Yeah, so my husband, how we even got started was we were originally just going 92 00:06:23,924 --> 00:06:26,404 to sell on Amazon. 93 00:06:26,444 --> 00:06:30,234 And my husband did an Amazon course. 94 00:06:30,234 --> 00:06:34,194 He took a course and was like, we can do this. 95 00:06:34,194 --> 00:06:38,184 But I didn't wanna just sell any product. 96 00:06:38,184 --> 00:06:43,624 I wanted to feel good about the products that we were gonna sell. 97 00:06:43,684 --> 00:06:44,512 So. 98 00:06:44,512 --> 00:06:48,652 like our first products, the straw kit didn't do well on Amazon. 99 00:06:48,652 --> 00:06:52,972 So, you know, it's it's not without trial and error, but like in -person events. 100 00:06:52,972 --> 00:06:56,982 And when we sell to wholesale retailers our straw kits do well. 101 00:06:56,982 --> 00:07:00,251 It's something that you need to see in person. 102 00:07:00,251 --> 00:07:03,942 So like that kind of translation was a challenge. 103 00:07:03,942 --> 00:07:08,032 So then we like our floss or biodegradable floss and our toothbrushes. 104 00:07:08,032 --> 00:07:09,052 We had those on Amazon. 105 00:07:09,052 --> 00:07:11,372 So originally we were just going to sell on Amazon. 106 00:07:11,372 --> 00:07:12,964 But honestly, 107 00:07:12,964 --> 00:07:14,594 that takes a lot of time. 108 00:07:14,594 --> 00:07:19,264 It takes a lot of time before you're making any money that I mean, it's super 109 00:07:19,264 --> 00:07:20,284 competitive. 110 00:07:20,284 --> 00:07:25,504 So then that's when we were doing like the pop up events and started to expand our 111 00:07:25,504 --> 00:07:30,324 offerings because we wanted to offer, you know, a little bit of everything versus 112 00:07:30,324 --> 00:07:37,164 just the two products at the time it was like the toothbrush kit and straw kit. 113 00:07:37,164 --> 00:07:40,868 So the in person events, we got like a lot of feedback. 114 00:07:40,868 --> 00:07:46,108 for the products that we wanted to sell and the ones that were doing well and how 115 00:07:46,108 --> 00:07:48,728 to package and present the products. 116 00:07:49,248 --> 00:07:56,628 So we started with just the one and it takes a lot of research before we launch a 117 00:07:56,628 --> 00:07:57,068 product. 118 00:07:57,068 --> 00:08:01,268 I am so picky, like I said, I usually am testing something for several months 119 00:08:01,268 --> 00:08:07,940 before we get samples, we've gone to trade shows in other countries. 120 00:08:07,940 --> 00:08:10,380 to try and find suppliers. 121 00:08:10,380 --> 00:08:16,220 And it's a process too, because like you had mentioned, the plastic packaging, even 122 00:08:16,220 --> 00:08:21,820 a lot of the manufacturers of sustainable products still wanna put it in a plastic 123 00:08:21,820 --> 00:08:22,230 bag. 124 00:08:22,230 --> 00:08:25,640 And you're like, you're not getting the whole picture here. 125 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:29,020 We don't want any plastic along our entire supply chain. 126 00:08:29,020 --> 00:08:32,460 We don't even want plastic tape on our cartons. 127 00:08:32,460 --> 00:08:35,900 So it is a process and we're not perfect. 128 00:08:35,900 --> 00:08:36,388 And... 129 00:08:36,388 --> 00:08:41,568 and we've made mistakes along the way, absolutely, but we testing, spending the 130 00:08:41,568 --> 00:08:45,448 time testing and like researching, especially for things that have 131 00:08:45,448 --> 00:08:47,818 ingredients because I'm not a chemist. 132 00:08:47,818 --> 00:08:50,828 I don't have a background in chemistry. 133 00:08:50,888 --> 00:08:54,648 So, you know, I want something that works, but I also want something that is not 134 00:08:54,648 --> 00:08:59,428 gonna like harm the planet or be like really highly. 135 00:08:59,428 --> 00:09:01,508 chemical based or high fragrance. 136 00:09:01,508 --> 00:09:04,118 There's a lot of things that I want to eliminate from my home. 137 00:09:04,118 --> 00:09:09,768 So it's not just like the plastic free, it's also like the toxins and more natural 138 00:09:09,768 --> 00:09:12,718 way of living, which I think comes later. 139 00:09:12,718 --> 00:09:18,178 First, you're starting with the plastic waste and then you're like, this is like, 140 00:09:18,178 --> 00:09:19,408 what is in this? 141 00:09:19,408 --> 00:09:21,248 Then you're asking those questions, right? 142 00:09:21,248 --> 00:09:23,772 It gets you to start asking those questions about like, 143 00:09:23,812 --> 00:09:25,912 what is in this product that I'm using. 144 00:09:25,912 --> 00:09:31,272 I'm breathing in every day and my pets are breathing in and then you kind of go from 145 00:09:31,272 --> 00:09:32,242 there. 146 00:09:32,270 --> 00:09:34,460 Yeah, yeah, totally. 147 00:09:34,460 --> 00:09:39,050 And it's funny because I was kind of like the opposite where I started with 148 00:09:39,050 --> 00:09:44,370 ingredients, as someone who's always kind of been in the wellness minded industry 149 00:09:44,370 --> 00:09:49,350 and health and doing research on all the things and like when I learned about 150 00:09:49,350 --> 00:09:51,150 organic food, I was like, 151 00:09:51,150 --> 00:09:51,710 Why? 152 00:09:51,710 --> 00:09:53,290 Why is it different than regular? 153 00:09:53,290 --> 00:09:55,510 Like, why are they labeled differently now? 154 00:09:55,510 --> 00:09:57,600 And so I learned about all the chemicals. 155 00:09:57,600 --> 00:10:02,110 And then I started thinking what kind of chemicals are in the products I'm using? 156 00:10:02,110 --> 00:10:05,390 Because there are some pretty strong warning labels on the back of everything 157 00:10:05,390 --> 00:10:08,570 that I have, like, call poison control. 158 00:10:08,570 --> 00:10:11,370 You know, what is up with that? 159 00:10:11,370 --> 00:10:12,810 so for me, it was the opposite. 160 00:10:12,810 --> 00:10:15,350 And then I learned about plastic. 161 00:10:15,410 --> 00:10:20,750 And I was like, now I have to pivot and find everything that. 162 00:10:20,750 --> 00:10:22,910 is not packaged in plastic. 163 00:10:22,910 --> 00:10:24,210 And so I started that. 164 00:10:24,210 --> 00:10:28,350 And then I was like, wait, but the ingredients. 165 00:10:29,490 --> 00:10:34,730 And so then it was like, OK, now I have to find it without plastic packaging and with 166 00:10:34,730 --> 00:10:39,710 ingredients that are not chemicals and that are organic or well -sourced, you 167 00:10:39,710 --> 00:10:44,950 know, because the sourcing of the ingredient is also important for the well 168 00:10:44,950 --> 00:10:48,490 -being of Mother Nature and the planet that's providing those ingredients from 169 00:10:48,490 --> 00:10:49,550 the plants. 170 00:10:49,550 --> 00:10:55,170 And yeah, it's just been like a process for me in that way where I kind of had to 171 00:10:55,170 --> 00:10:57,050 just think now what? 172 00:10:57,050 --> 00:11:02,630 The next thing is, you know, having to eliminate all of the ingredients that are 173 00:11:02,630 --> 00:11:04,240 not sustainably sourced. 174 00:11:04,240 --> 00:11:07,150 Maybe they're better, but they're not sourced well, you know? 175 00:11:07,150 --> 00:11:11,030 So yeah, it's a different path for everyone. 176 00:11:11,030 --> 00:11:16,150 And it's definitely like, let's get into greenwashing maybe because I feel like 177 00:11:16,150 --> 00:11:17,710 greenwashing has... 178 00:11:17,710 --> 00:11:19,460 made it harder and harder. 179 00:11:19,460 --> 00:11:24,390 When I first started there weren't a ton of options so it was more like lack of 180 00:11:24,390 --> 00:11:30,590 option and now there's like overwhelmingly too many options and most of them are 181 00:11:30,590 --> 00:11:35,552 total junk either they're... 182 00:11:35,552 --> 00:11:39,262 many claims maybe on certain products? 183 00:11:39,262 --> 00:11:43,512 Because I don't think, I think the packaging laws in the US are incredibly 184 00:11:43,512 --> 00:11:48,892 weak and that's why you can swap the recycling symbol on any product when 185 00:11:48,892 --> 00:11:54,552 really less than 5 % is getting recycled, especially for plastics. 186 00:11:56,072 --> 00:11:56,772 So. 187 00:11:56,772 --> 00:12:01,752 Yeah, I mean, the greenwashing, I know there are some like accounts on Instagram 188 00:12:01,752 --> 00:12:05,992 that I follow that kind of like debunk like certain brands and they'll go in a 189 00:12:05,992 --> 00:12:12,232 big box store and just kind of like pick something off the shelf that may be says 190 00:12:12,232 --> 00:12:17,220 like natural or maybe it has like green packaging or it says. 191 00:12:17,220 --> 00:12:19,250 post -consumer recycled plastic. 192 00:12:19,250 --> 00:12:23,190 So I guess it's a little better, but it's still plastic. 193 00:12:23,190 --> 00:12:33,780 And a lot of these companies have the funds, and that you have a team of people 194 00:12:33,780 --> 00:12:36,450 that can research packaging options for you. 195 00:12:36,450 --> 00:12:40,940 And you choose to package it that way. 196 00:12:40,940 --> 00:12:42,240 We're a small team. 197 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:42,916 We have like, 198 00:12:42,916 --> 00:12:45,256 three people, we're three people, you know? 199 00:12:45,256 --> 00:12:49,456 So when we're sourcing a product, not only are we finding the manufacturer, asking 200 00:12:49,456 --> 00:12:52,576 all those hard questions about the ingredients, testing it ourselves and on 201 00:12:52,576 --> 00:12:56,536 our friends and our family, and we're having to figure out the packaging 202 00:12:56,536 --> 00:13:02,636 solutions and it isn't as readily available and it is more expensive. 203 00:13:03,156 --> 00:13:06,736 Sustainable packaging is more expensive than plastic, plastic is cheap and that's 204 00:13:06,736 --> 00:13:10,180 why so many corporations have gone that route. 205 00:13:10,180 --> 00:13:16,300 But yeah, just simply putting like eco or natural or green on the packaging tricks 206 00:13:16,300 --> 00:13:20,260 the consumer into thinking that, I'm doing something good for the planet. 207 00:13:20,260 --> 00:13:25,720 When in reality, you know, there's a big corporation that probably owns that little 208 00:13:25,720 --> 00:13:30,920 company that's on the shelf that makes it look like it's like a natural company. 209 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:35,820 But really, it's just like a brand below like a huge giant that is like one of the 210 00:13:35,820 --> 00:13:38,574 top polluters in the country in the world. 211 00:13:38,574 --> 00:13:39,614 Yep. 212 00:13:39,614 --> 00:13:40,496 Yeah. 213 00:13:40,544 --> 00:13:45,084 it makes it challenging as consumers to like kind of like if they're wanting to, 214 00:13:45,084 --> 00:13:50,424 you know, I didn't come out of the womb thinking, plastic is bad and like all 215 00:13:50,424 --> 00:13:51,424 these chemicals are bad. 216 00:13:51,424 --> 00:13:52,684 You know, it's a journey. 217 00:13:52,684 --> 00:13:53,714 It's a process. 218 00:13:53,714 --> 00:13:58,404 Like you start with something like a straw or even reusable bags and then you kind of 219 00:13:58,404 --> 00:14:01,064 learn from there and transition slowly. 220 00:14:01,064 --> 00:14:05,284 It's a slow process because you want to use it the things that you already have in 221 00:14:05,284 --> 00:14:08,644 your home before making that swap because it's... 222 00:14:08,644 --> 00:14:13,604 Swapping everything out is wasteful first off, and it's not super cost effective 223 00:14:13,604 --> 00:14:14,114 either. 224 00:14:14,114 --> 00:14:16,764 So you want to do it, it takes time. 225 00:14:17,464 --> 00:14:23,044 So as a consumer, going into a store, like, I want to find an eco -friendly 226 00:14:23,044 --> 00:14:23,624 product. 227 00:14:23,624 --> 00:14:28,024 And then you're seeing eco, natural, and green packaging. 228 00:14:28,244 --> 00:14:31,144 It kind of tricks you into thinking, yeah, that's good. 229 00:14:31,144 --> 00:14:34,406 I'm doing something good. 230 00:14:34,406 --> 00:14:37,806 I've been greenwashed and tricked many times. 231 00:14:37,806 --> 00:14:43,686 I have to admit, you know, because you're not aware of it yet, and sometimes it 232 00:14:43,686 --> 00:14:50,206 takes a while to dawn on you and you're just like, wait, this refill bag is still 233 00:14:50,206 --> 00:14:51,786 plastic. 234 00:14:51,786 --> 00:14:59,166 I might be refilling my soap container at the sink, five times versus buying five 235 00:14:59,166 --> 00:15:02,244 different, 236 00:15:02,244 --> 00:15:02,922 Mm -hmm. 237 00:15:02,922 --> 00:15:05,542 containers that are filled with soap. 238 00:15:05,542 --> 00:15:10,282 But at the end of the day, this bag is still plastic and I didn't want that, 239 00:15:10,282 --> 00:15:10,592 right? 240 00:15:10,592 --> 00:15:13,704 And then, yeah, wait, but what are the ingredients in there? 241 00:15:13,704 --> 00:15:15,904 Yeah, is the company taking it back though? 242 00:15:15,904 --> 00:15:22,184 Because there are companies that do use the plastic pouches because it's lighter. 243 00:15:22,184 --> 00:15:26,744 So you're going to reduce emissions and shipping costs and things like that and 244 00:15:26,744 --> 00:15:30,424 make the product more affordable ultimately if the company is paying less 245 00:15:30,424 --> 00:15:31,784 to ship it. 246 00:15:32,444 --> 00:15:36,804 But if they're not taking it back and not making it circular, then it's 247 00:15:36,804 --> 00:15:41,764 it's total greenwashing, because it's like a step better, but not really, because 248 00:15:41,764 --> 00:15:43,884 it's still plastic. 249 00:15:46,144 --> 00:15:46,726 Yeah. 250 00:15:46,726 --> 00:15:50,986 at least the bottle might've had a chance at getting recycled if you have the 251 00:15:50,986 --> 00:15:51,626 curbside bin. 252 00:15:51,626 --> 00:15:52,786 I mean, who knows? 253 00:15:52,786 --> 00:15:57,906 And even that, it's like not, even if it's turned into something else, it's maybe 254 00:15:57,906 --> 00:16:02,586 only once or twice until eventually that item can no longer be turned into 255 00:16:02,586 --> 00:16:07,706 something new and ends up in the landfill forever and ever. 256 00:16:07,826 --> 00:16:11,706 So yeah, it's definitely a process of learning all of that stuff. 257 00:16:11,706 --> 00:16:14,222 And it can be totally 258 00:16:14,222 --> 00:16:26,022 crazy making and sometimes I know I went through my journey just, overwhelmed and I 259 00:16:26,022 --> 00:16:27,322 have to take a break. 260 00:16:27,322 --> 00:16:32,542 And I just have to do what I've got going on and then I'll return to this when I 261 00:16:32,542 --> 00:16:36,992 feel like I have the time and the energy to do the research. 262 00:16:36,992 --> 00:16:43,572 I feel like that's kind of like the all or nothing mindset that is, yeah, it's kind 263 00:16:43,572 --> 00:16:50,412 of, it's so negative though, because, you know, a lot of people think like, big 264 00:16:50,412 --> 00:16:51,862 corporations are the ones ruining the planet. 265 00:16:51,862 --> 00:16:53,001 Why should I make a change? 266 00:16:53,001 --> 00:16:58,252 It's like, because this is gonna take like collective effort to get corporations to 267 00:16:58,252 --> 00:17:03,428 start changing their packaging, like hit them where it hurts in their wallets, 268 00:17:03,428 --> 00:17:09,308 it's gonna take us all making this movement, making this transition together 269 00:17:09,308 --> 00:17:10,798 to make the real change. 270 00:17:10,798 --> 00:17:15,388 And that's the only way change has ever happened in history is like collectively 271 00:17:15,388 --> 00:17:19,318 banded together and said, we want this to be like this. 272 00:17:19,318 --> 00:17:21,568 And that's how you get change. 273 00:17:21,568 --> 00:17:26,008 So to say like, whatever, it's private jets, it's Taylor Swift on her jet, that's 274 00:17:26,008 --> 00:17:28,858 killing the planet and I'm not gonna do anything about it. 275 00:17:28,858 --> 00:17:31,168 It's kind of the same as saying like, 276 00:17:32,100 --> 00:17:36,800 I can't do everything, so I'm just not going to do anything. 277 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:38,520 And that's not what we try. 278 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,940 We try to say progress over perfection. 279 00:17:41,940 --> 00:17:43,780 We're not perfect. 280 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:48,900 And there's lots of areas that I know we can improve as a company. 281 00:17:48,900 --> 00:17:52,020 And even just as a person, I have a hard time going to the grocery store and not 282 00:17:52,020 --> 00:17:53,180 purchasing plastic. 283 00:17:53,180 --> 00:17:55,210 It's next to impossible. 284 00:17:55,236 --> 00:17:57,946 And that's just the world we live in. 285 00:17:57,946 --> 00:17:59,776 So I'm just doing my best. 286 00:17:59,776 --> 00:18:05,396 And if we all did our best, how much plastic waste would we reduce overall? 287 00:18:05,576 --> 00:18:10,176 And that's like less emissions because plastic is made of oil. 288 00:18:10,656 --> 00:18:16,990 And yeah, so there's so many things that. 289 00:18:16,990 --> 00:18:21,910 That fact has been really well covered up for so long. 290 00:18:23,390 --> 00:18:28,670 And I wish that there had been conversations like this going on when I 291 00:18:28,670 --> 00:18:36,048 was starting back seven years ago, because if I talked about it with a friend, 292 00:18:36,048 --> 00:19:55,106 I was looked at like I had six heads, like what are you talking about? 293 00:19:55,106 --> 00:19:59,278 And it just felt like I was. 294 00:19:59,278 --> 00:20:02,778 I'm alone and I didn't really know where to begin. 295 00:20:02,778 --> 00:20:06,658 And when I made mistakes, I wanted to like kind of put my head back in the sand or 296 00:20:06,658 --> 00:20:14,658 put on the rose colored sunglasses and just be like, it's all good. 297 00:20:14,658 --> 00:20:21,318 there's so much plastic out there and how much can I actually make a difference to 298 00:20:21,318 --> 00:20:25,006 impact what's going on? 299 00:20:25,006 --> 00:20:26,306 I'd have those moments, right? 300 00:20:26,306 --> 00:20:31,406 But I'd wax and wane and go back and forth between that and like, no, I can, because 301 00:20:31,406 --> 00:20:33,846 how did it get this way in the first place? 302 00:20:33,846 --> 00:20:38,606 The problem got this way in the first place because everything is packaged in 303 00:20:38,606 --> 00:20:39,746 plastic. 304 00:20:40,046 --> 00:20:46,786 And up until the moment where I realized how unsustainable that is, I've been 305 00:20:46,786 --> 00:20:49,066 participating in that. 306 00:20:49,066 --> 00:20:52,910 And everybody has, unwillingly, unknowingly. 307 00:20:52,910 --> 00:20:55,510 And that's why the problem is what it is. 308 00:20:55,510 --> 00:21:02,210 And so if people, individuals make changes and encourage each other and inform each 309 00:21:02,210 --> 00:21:07,070 other and we raise awareness, then we can make a difference and the tides can shift. 310 00:21:07,070 --> 00:21:09,520 It's just, you know, one thing at a time. 311 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:13,688 Like you're saying, you have to just do what you can and. 312 00:21:13,688 --> 00:21:17,968 funny that you like mentioned people look at you like you have six heads, I still 313 00:21:17,968 --> 00:21:24,568 get that because I'm the one that brings my own Tupperware to pick up a pizza to 314 00:21:24,568 --> 00:21:25,648 go. 315 00:21:26,068 --> 00:21:30,988 And I have my place now that I go to and they know me and they they make 316 00:21:30,988 --> 00:21:32,928 accommodations for for me. 317 00:21:32,928 --> 00:21:38,808 And, it's kind of unnerving to like ask for those things. 318 00:21:38,808 --> 00:21:42,756 But sometimes you just have to ask and most of the businesses especially like, 319 00:21:42,756 --> 00:21:50,076 businesses you frequent are going to be more than happy to use your own cup, not 320 00:21:50,076 --> 00:21:55,696 give you plastic cutlery, not put your takeout on a plate so you can bring in 321 00:21:55,696 --> 00:22:01,416 your container and scoop it up and take it to go without the styrofoam. 322 00:22:01,696 --> 00:22:07,908 It is like an extra step that you have to make, but I think it gets ... 323 00:22:07,908 --> 00:22:11,088 people, other people are going to see you do that first off. 324 00:22:11,088 --> 00:22:14,608 You're not alone when you go in there and they're going to be like, well, that's 325 00:22:14,608 --> 00:22:15,318 pretty cool. 326 00:22:15,318 --> 00:22:16,608 Look at that. 327 00:22:16,608 --> 00:22:21,068 And you're kind of like leading by example. 328 00:22:21,068 --> 00:22:24,788 And I think that has always caught on eventually. 329 00:22:24,788 --> 00:23:09,282 And I think more people will get on board with doing that stuff. 330 00:23:09,282 --> 00:23:14,958 I think people are starting to be aware and paying attention. 331 00:23:14,958 --> 00:23:17,118 And they just don't know where to start. 332 00:23:17,118 --> 00:23:21,338 You know, I think that's the bottom line is like people want to do better. 333 00:23:21,338 --> 00:23:26,158 And when they learn about plastic pollution and what's going on and how it's 334 00:23:26,158 --> 00:23:30,278 affecting health and the environment, they want to make changes. 335 00:23:30,278 --> 00:23:36,078 And I think your store is the perfect place to start because you can start small 336 00:23:36,078 --> 00:23:40,998 and you can start with the things that you see immediately, which I would say, you 337 00:23:40,998 --> 00:23:42,198 know, just look to your kitchen. 338 00:23:42,198 --> 00:23:42,958 Like that's. 339 00:23:42,958 --> 00:23:48,018 where things I think get used up quite a lot and thrown in the trash like sponges 340 00:23:48,018 --> 00:23:52,598 and paper towels and you can save like hundreds and hundreds of dollars a year 341 00:23:52,598 --> 00:23:54,918 just with that one swap. 342 00:23:55,384 --> 00:23:59,624 Yeah, paper towels, I feel like paper towels is the easiest thing to do, because 343 00:23:59,624 --> 00:24:00,224 you know what I did? 344 00:24:00,224 --> 00:24:01,524 I just hid them. 345 00:24:01,524 --> 00:24:09,064 I put them up in the cabinet, and then I put a basket of folded rags and unpaper 346 00:24:09,064 --> 00:24:18,863 towels. 347 00:24:19,542 --> 00:24:19,884 Yeah. 348 00:24:19,884 --> 00:24:24,384 grab it as like a napkin or and then Swedish dishcloths are like the best thing 349 00:24:24,384 --> 00:24:27,884 ever for cleaning up spills and you just wash and reuse them. 350 00:24:27,884 --> 00:24:31,104 They honestly last forever, forever. 351 00:24:31,104 --> 00:24:35,824 Like I think we say like nine to 12 months on our website, but I think I've had some 352 00:24:35,824 --> 00:24:39,104 for several years and I just scatter them around my house. 353 00:24:39,104 --> 00:24:43,024 I have some in my laundry room and some in, you know, my bathrooms and you can use 354 00:24:43,024 --> 00:24:43,556 them for. 355 00:24:43,556 --> 00:24:46,156 everything like wiping down mirrors and all sorts of stuff. 356 00:24:46,156 --> 00:24:50,416 And so that's like a one -time investment and then you never buying paper towels 357 00:24:50,416 --> 00:24:51,056 again. 358 00:24:51,056 --> 00:24:54,146 And you're saving so much storage in your home too. 359 00:24:54,146 --> 00:24:59,096 Do not have like a big old thing of paper towels in your home. 360 00:24:59,535 --> 00:25:01,538 And... 361 00:25:01,538 --> 00:25:05,978 trips to the big box stores to buy the stuff. 362 00:25:06,138 --> 00:25:13,058 And even if it's buying them at a discounted price, you're still buying 363 00:25:13,058 --> 00:25:18,398 something that it's not reusable. 364 00:25:18,398 --> 00:25:22,738 And so you're setting yourself up to always be dependent on that product and 365 00:25:22,738 --> 00:25:26,084 having to rebuy it so much more. 366 00:25:26,084 --> 00:25:26,710 Mm -hmm. 367 00:25:26,710 --> 00:25:29,930 you should ever have to rebuy something like that. 368 00:25:29,930 --> 00:25:39,750 paper towels are the easiest thing because the money that you save, even though the 369 00:25:39,750 --> 00:25:45,230 cost upfront seems a little bit like, hmm, this is more, if you do the math, it's 370 00:25:45,230 --> 00:25:47,190 like, it's so much. 371 00:25:47,190 --> 00:25:53,670 And also sponges that are thrown away basically, if you're using a sponge that's 372 00:25:53,670 --> 00:25:56,302 wet in your sink, you know, 373 00:25:56,302 --> 00:25:59,502 you should be throwing it away once a week, technically. 374 00:26:00,942 --> 00:26:07,022 And if you're not, then I would rethink how clean your countertops and your 375 00:26:07,022 --> 00:26:11,882 kitchen table is getting when you're using a sponge that's filled with bacteria. 376 00:26:11,882 --> 00:26:21,262 And the longer you keep it, the more bacteria Even if you're using a cleaner 377 00:26:21,262 --> 00:26:24,270 that has chemicals in it that are, 378 00:26:24,270 --> 00:26:30,670 you know, killing bacteria, it's not generally going to take care of that much 379 00:26:30,670 --> 00:26:31,230 bacteria. 380 00:26:31,230 --> 00:26:36,270 And the way that we use those cleaners isn't generally proper because if you read 381 00:26:36,270 --> 00:26:40,750 the back of the bottle, it says spray a surface and let it sit for like a half an 382 00:26:40,750 --> 00:26:42,230 hour, right? 383 00:26:42,230 --> 00:26:47,230 And then, yeah, no, like spraying and then wiping it up. 384 00:26:47,230 --> 00:26:52,454 And then like, did it kill the germs and... 385 00:26:52,590 --> 00:26:56,190 were the chemicals necessary and now they're on your table still because you 386 00:26:56,190 --> 00:26:59,970 definitely didn't wipe them all away and now there's also probably bacteria from 387 00:26:59,970 --> 00:27:50,786 the sponge. 388 00:27:50,786 --> 00:27:55,966 I think that's a super easy swap and the coconut brushes are a little bit different 389 00:27:55,966 --> 00:27:58,486 than a sponge, but so much better. 390 00:27:58,486 --> 00:28:04,750 And when you just know that you're not putting bacteria all over everything, 391 00:28:04,750 --> 00:28:08,250 because I hated that part about sponges in the first place. 392 00:28:08,250 --> 00:28:12,090 And then also like throwing it out all the time, I would felt terrible, but there's 393 00:28:12,090 --> 00:28:14,250 not really, there wasn't really anything else. 394 00:28:14,250 --> 00:28:17,490 So that was my first, those were like my first swaps. 395 00:28:17,490 --> 00:28:21,870 And then I think that Castile soap was kind of the next thing because it could 396 00:28:21,870 --> 00:28:24,920 replace so many different types of cleaners in the house. 397 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:29,110 Can you talk a little bit about like how many different, and yours is really 398 00:28:29,110 --> 00:28:30,596 concentrated, right? 399 00:28:30,596 --> 00:28:35,396 Yeah, our liquid castile soap is a concentrate and it comes in a 16 ounce 400 00:28:35,396 --> 00:28:36,186 aluminum bottle. 401 00:28:36,186 --> 00:28:40,566 So I think it's honestly the only plastic free castile soap I think on the market. 402 00:28:40,566 --> 00:28:42,736 I've not seen anyone else. 403 00:28:42,736 --> 00:28:43,636 I know Dr. 404 00:28:43,636 --> 00:28:46,696 Bronner switched to a carton, which again is another thing where it's like, okay, 405 00:28:46,696 --> 00:28:50,716 that's better, but it's still lined with plastic, has a plastic cap, it's mixed 406 00:28:50,716 --> 00:28:53,036 materials, it might not get recycled. 407 00:28:53,036 --> 00:28:59,172 Not really sure why they made that move better, but they could have been doing... 408 00:28:59,172 --> 00:29:00,752 even better than that. 409 00:29:00,752 --> 00:29:37,108 And aluminum is 100 % recyclable forever, infinitely. 410 00:29:37,108 --> 00:29:41,408 But liquid castile soap, you can use it for pet shampoo, you can make your own 411 00:29:41,408 --> 00:29:45,208 facial cleanser, your own shampoo, you can use it for all purpose cleaner, you can 412 00:29:45,208 --> 00:29:46,678 use it as a dish soap, a hand soap. 413 00:29:46,678 --> 00:29:49,778 We pair it with like our, we have a foaming soap dispenser. 414 00:29:49,778 --> 00:29:53,648 So it's just like a one to one ratio with water and it comes out like super 415 00:29:53,648 --> 00:29:57,068 concentrated foam to wash your hands or wash your dishes. 416 00:29:57,092 --> 00:29:58,802 You can literally use it for everything. 417 00:29:58,802 --> 00:30:02,312 There's a recipe, just like do a little Google search, there's a recipe for pretty 418 00:30:02,312 --> 00:30:04,672 much everything you can use Castile soap for. 419 00:30:04,672 --> 00:30:07,522 And it's only a handful of ingredients. 420 00:30:07,522 --> 00:30:12,712 So it's like one of the cleanest cleaners that you can possibly be using in your 421 00:30:12,712 --> 00:30:13,572 home. 422 00:30:13,572 --> 00:30:15,172 And it really works. 423 00:30:15,752 --> 00:30:17,032 And it really works. 424 00:30:17,032 --> 00:30:21,672 So it does, you only need like a couple bottles and you can take care of like 425 00:30:21,672 --> 00:30:25,432 cleaning, you know, your whole home, filling your hand soap, filling your dish 426 00:30:25,432 --> 00:30:26,468 soap, you know. 427 00:30:26,468 --> 00:30:28,248 all of the things. 428 00:30:28,308 --> 00:30:30,138 So it's a great product. 429 00:30:30,138 --> 00:30:34,908 I like products that have multiple purposes and multiple ways that you can 430 00:30:34,908 --> 00:30:38,828 use them because sustainability looks different for everyone. 431 00:30:38,828 --> 00:30:41,628 And what works for me might not work for somebody else. 432 00:30:41,628 --> 00:30:46,508 So we like to have options that serve multiple purposes. 433 00:30:46,888 --> 00:30:49,948 So that's one of the products that I'm really proud of. 434 00:30:49,948 --> 00:30:59,418 And it's made in the US and super great ingredients. 435 00:31:53,006 --> 00:31:57,046 Yeah, and that's what I love about a lot of the things on your website, because you 436 00:31:57,046 --> 00:31:58,926 don't have to think about the ingredients. 437 00:31:58,926 --> 00:32:00,706 You've already done that part. 438 00:32:00,706 --> 00:32:03,706 You don't have to think about the packaging, obviously, because that's the 439 00:32:03,706 --> 00:32:05,186 whole point of your store. 440 00:32:05,186 --> 00:32:06,626 You've already done that part. 441 00:32:06,626 --> 00:32:09,866 You don't have to think about, is it going to be shipped to me in plastic? 442 00:32:09,866 --> 00:32:12,526 You're not doing that. 443 00:32:12,766 --> 00:32:15,816 And so all those layers are already totally taken care of. 444 00:32:15,816 --> 00:32:21,358 You've taken all those steps already to find something that works. 445 00:32:21,358 --> 00:32:27,378 and its quality and the ingredients and the sourcing and it just takes so much 446 00:32:27,378 --> 00:32:30,408 guesswork and so much research out of the whole process. 447 00:32:30,408 --> 00:32:37,838 I mean there's still a lot of things that can be done but your website is a 448 00:32:37,838 --> 00:32:44,118 beautiful way to get started and just feel confident that literally anything that you 449 00:32:44,118 --> 00:33:46,220 decide to get on your website is the right thing. 450 00:33:46,220 --> 00:33:53,040 always have like a wish list of products and it takes a while to a find a 451 00:33:53,040 --> 00:33:58,440 manufacturer that can make it, especially at like a quantity we're a small business. 452 00:33:58,440 --> 00:34:05,640 So like we're not buying 30 ,000 units of something to start off with. 453 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:10,468 yeah, so finding a manufacturer that will work with us as a smaller. 454 00:34:10,468 --> 00:34:16,808 business that will work with our packaging requests because lot of that's done by 455 00:34:16,808 --> 00:34:25,828 machinery, like bottles being filled So finding somebody that's willing to work 456 00:34:25,828 --> 00:34:31,848 with a specific type of packaging seeing if that works for them and then vetting 457 00:34:31,848 --> 00:34:36,328 the ingredients and all that kind of stuff and testing that out takes time. 458 00:34:36,328 --> 00:34:39,808 So yeah, it's a process whenever we launch a product. 459 00:34:55,716 --> 00:35:01,636 So we when we first started out, we didn't make as many of the products ourselves. 460 00:35:01,636 --> 00:35:07,296 we had to source from other small companies to fill in the gaps. 461 00:35:07,296 --> 00:35:10,256 So we could be like kind of that one stop shop. 462 00:35:10,256 --> 00:35:15,596 And there's always other products that I want to launch and I kind of have to like 463 00:35:15,596 --> 00:35:20,558 cool it like, we we have to take our time because good things take time, right? 464 00:35:20,558 --> 00:35:27,798 Right, it's a process and patience is part of that process and not giving up. 465 00:35:27,798 --> 00:35:32,338 I'm sure that there have been times where you're just like, my gosh. 466 00:35:33,498 --> 00:35:35,988 I mean running a business is something else. 467 00:35:35,988 --> 00:35:39,208 I never went to school for this. 468 00:35:39,248 --> 00:35:43,388 I, you know, it's a learning experience every single day and every single day 469 00:35:43,388 --> 00:35:44,348 could look different. 470 00:35:44,348 --> 00:35:50,768 There's always problems, but it's like the way that you handle them, right? 471 00:35:50,768 --> 00:35:54,488 And I'm a pretty good problem solver. 472 00:35:54,868 --> 00:35:58,308 And yeah, I mean, we had like one of our... 473 00:35:58,308 --> 00:36:01,928 most stressful things was we had a fulfillment center, we moved to a 474 00:36:01,928 --> 00:36:07,448 fulfillment center like to fulfill our orders. 475 00:36:07,448 --> 00:36:13,448 And it was because now I get a lot more freedom in my day to day to like, do more 476 00:36:13,448 --> 00:36:16,728 product research, I do all of our packaging and branding. 477 00:36:16,728 --> 00:36:20,828 And I'm still doing a lot on social media and stuff like that, too, because you have 478 00:36:20,828 --> 00:36:25,220 to wear so many like a founder, right? 479 00:36:25,220 --> 00:36:27,540 but we moved to fulfillment center and they did our orders. 480 00:36:27,540 --> 00:36:31,420 Well, the first one we had was just terrible. 481 00:36:31,420 --> 00:36:35,640 Like I didn't realize how bad they were until we have like, we have a new one now. 482 00:36:35,640 --> 00:36:47,360 And I didn't realize how bad they were, but I still have stress dreams to this day 483 00:36:47,360 --> 00:36:51,340 about like, you know, they would ship like full wholesale orders to the wrong 484 00:36:51,340 --> 00:36:54,628 customers and they'd mix them up and, 485 00:36:54,628 --> 00:36:59,688 they would take like weeks to receive our products into inventory and we would have 486 00:36:59,688 --> 00:37:03,808 to drive up there and we'd see our products just sitting there. 487 00:37:03,808 --> 00:37:05,448 Yeah, they were just awful. 488 00:37:05,448 --> 00:37:08,088 And that was probably like the worst experience of my life. 489 00:37:08,088 --> 00:37:10,038 I'm never moving fulfillment centers again. 490 00:37:10,038 --> 00:37:14,508 Because once we pulled our product, not only did they charge us so much money to 491 00:37:14,508 --> 00:37:19,588 just even get our own inventory back, but it was all like, they just went to the 492 00:37:19,588 --> 00:37:22,404 shelves and like completely cleared the shelves and. 493 00:37:22,404 --> 00:37:23,374 put them in boxes. 494 00:37:23,374 --> 00:37:27,684 We had two storage units that it was all, everything was mixed up. 495 00:37:27,784 --> 00:37:29,404 Everything was mixed up. 496 00:37:29,404 --> 00:37:33,924 And like to this day, like sometimes I'll like go and open a box and I'm like, this 497 00:37:33,924 --> 00:37:39,063 is supposed to be all of this and it's not like this is still. 498 00:37:40,904 --> 00:37:45,484 Yeah, I'm still finding like mixed cartons of different. 499 00:37:45,484 --> 00:37:46,814 Yeah, it was terrible. 500 00:37:46,814 --> 00:37:50,924 But now we have a really good one and they're a smaller company. 501 00:37:50,924 --> 00:37:51,364 So. 502 00:37:51,364 --> 00:37:53,344 I just go for smaller companies. 503 00:37:53,344 --> 00:37:55,344 They care more about your business. 504 00:37:55,344 --> 00:37:58,644 They like do happy dance whenever they get your order. 505 00:37:58,644 --> 00:38:03,164 And you're going to get much better customer service from a smaller business 506 00:38:03,164 --> 00:38:07,118 than a big corporation like any day. 507 00:38:07,118 --> 00:38:12,718 And that's the same to say for using a smaller business like you to source all of 508 00:38:12,718 --> 00:38:17,878 these products rather than going to the grocery store and trying to figure out if 509 00:38:17,878 --> 00:38:24,158 something on the shelf that the grocery store is offering as a greener solution is 510 00:38:24,158 --> 00:38:29,398 going to work or be high quality or what was the sourcing and what are the 511 00:38:29,398 --> 00:38:30,716 ingredients 512 00:38:30,716 --> 00:38:31,206 -hmm. 513 00:38:31,206 --> 00:38:34,846 not gonna happen at the grocery store, I'm sorry to say. 514 00:38:34,846 --> 00:38:41,086 A small business like yours, a hundred percent you're going to get quality and 515 00:38:41,086 --> 00:38:46,666 service and Yeah, you have to sit down and make an order and wait, you know not two 516 00:38:46,666 --> 00:39:05,326 days 517 00:39:05,326 --> 00:39:11,126 And the thing is, that creates a problem in and of itself, not only for people our 518 00:39:11,126 --> 00:39:13,606 age, but for kids. 519 00:39:13,606 --> 00:39:19,846 I see it in my son, like who's basically grown up in this age of immediate 520 00:39:19,846 --> 00:39:24,016 fulfillment of whatever it is that you need. 521 00:39:24,016 --> 00:39:35,238 And it's not really good to, have that sort of mentality about life because. 522 00:39:35,818 --> 00:39:39,858 it doesn't teach any patience or resilience or anything like that. 523 00:39:39,858 --> 00:39:47,578 So I feel like I've really backpedaled and shifted into the direction of supporting 524 00:39:47,578 --> 00:39:55,318 small businesses now that there are enough of them like you offering quality 525 00:39:55,318 --> 00:40:00,958 replacements in the right packaging and all of that and the right shipping 526 00:40:00,958 --> 00:40:03,238 materials. 527 00:40:03,238 --> 00:40:04,622 it's a no brainer. 528 00:40:04,622 --> 00:40:10,342 And if I have to wait five to 10 business days, like I just get used to the fact 529 00:40:10,342 --> 00:40:12,122 that that's the case. 530 00:40:12,122 --> 00:40:17,102 And also you know, yeah, if you get things and they're shipped to you, that's a 531 00:40:17,102 --> 00:40:18,042 convenience. 532 00:40:18,042 --> 00:40:22,792 And if I have to pay eight or $10 to have that shipped to me, then so be it. 533 00:40:22,792 --> 00:40:27,562 I didn't have to get in my car and spend 20 minutes going to wherever. 534 00:40:27,562 --> 00:40:31,762 And then I'm going to leave that store with 10 times more stuff than I ever 535 00:40:31,762 --> 00:40:45,796 wanted to get. 536 00:40:45,796 --> 00:40:51,016 I think like the free returns mentality too is so detrimental to the planet 537 00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:53,376 because returns are not free. 538 00:40:53,376 --> 00:40:55,276 They're not free for the business. 539 00:40:55,276 --> 00:40:58,656 First off, if you return something on Amazon, you know who pays for it? 540 00:40:58,656 --> 00:40:59,416 The vendor. 541 00:40:59,416 --> 00:41:00,686 Amazon doesn't pay for that. 542 00:41:00,686 --> 00:41:02,916 The vendor, the seller. 543 00:41:02,916 --> 00:41:08,896 So like if you were like buy our floss on Amazon and decide you don't like it, you 544 00:41:08,896 --> 00:41:09,656 return that. 545 00:41:09,656 --> 00:41:11,256 Well, you know what? 546 00:41:11,256 --> 00:41:12,246 we pay for that. 547 00:41:12,246 --> 00:41:18,796 So it's not free and it's not free for the planet too because it's either, you know, 548 00:41:18,796 --> 00:41:23,986 we either have to pull our returns or we can opt to store them. 549 00:41:23,986 --> 00:41:27,596 Or I know Amazon for bigger products and things like that. 550 00:41:27,596 --> 00:41:30,724 They auction off like pallets and companies like, will 551 00:41:30,724 --> 00:41:34,024 purchase those pallets of returns and resell them. 552 00:41:34,024 --> 00:41:40,564 We have a company local in Las Vegas that runs an auction. 553 00:41:40,564 --> 00:41:46,300 And their whole business is buying Amazon returns and then reselling them. 554 00:41:46,830 --> 00:41:49,630 Well, at least they're keeping them out of the landfill. 555 00:41:49,630 --> 00:41:52,970 I guess we have to look at the good part of that. 556 00:41:53,630 --> 00:41:56,780 But yeah. 557 00:41:56,780 --> 00:42:02,040 there's still like such a large percentage that is going to waste with that free 558 00:42:02,040 --> 00:42:04,100 returns mentality. 559 00:42:05,460 --> 00:42:10,523 No returns are free. 560 00:42:10,698 --> 00:42:16,478 affecting the small business that it came from and the planet that provided those 561 00:42:16,478 --> 00:42:21,738 resources and then now it's going to be thrown into landfill. 562 00:42:22,178 --> 00:42:29,798 So yeah, it's a good point to make that I think is absolutely hidden and nobody 563 00:42:29,798 --> 00:42:32,708 thinks about it because it's not really talked about. 564 00:42:32,708 --> 00:42:46,148 So I love that you brought that up. 565 00:42:46,148 --> 00:42:50,468 Yeah, I think it starts with like, again, you get that instant gratification of 566 00:42:50,468 --> 00:42:51,778 buying something, right? 567 00:42:51,778 --> 00:42:56,268 So it doesn't make you really have to think about that purchase as much. 568 00:42:56,268 --> 00:42:58,278 So you're just like, click, click, buy it. 569 00:42:58,278 --> 00:43:00,788 If I don't like it, I'll return it because it's free, right? 570 00:43:00,788 --> 00:43:05,288 But if you really had to think about that purchase before you bought it, maybe you 571 00:43:05,288 --> 00:43:05,958 don't need it. 572 00:43:05,958 --> 00:43:06,748 Maybe you don't need it. 573 00:43:06,748 --> 00:43:11,396 Maybe you can find it at a local store. 574 00:43:11,396 --> 00:43:15,816 Yeah, maybe just thinking about that purchase before will eliminate so many 575 00:43:15,816 --> 00:43:20,256 returns, but because they have that free returns offering, like if they had if 576 00:43:20,256 --> 00:43:23,896 people had to pay for their returns, there wouldn't be that many returns. 577 00:43:23,896 --> 00:43:29,036 They would see a lot of more people like trying to resell it or in their community 578 00:43:29,036 --> 00:43:38,886 or Facebook marketplace or donating it. 579 00:43:38,886 --> 00:43:50,062 -hmm. 580 00:43:50,062 --> 00:43:54,622 like you said, you'd be thinking more about buying it. 581 00:44:00,422 --> 00:44:05,502 And if there is really a need and you can't get it in another way, then you do 582 00:44:05,502 --> 00:44:14,740 it and you just take that risk that it might not work. 583 00:44:14,740 --> 00:44:20,140 going zero waste, low waste or plastic free really saves you money too, because 584 00:44:20,140 --> 00:44:22,950 you're thinking more about your purchases. 585 00:44:22,950 --> 00:44:28,640 You're being a more mindful consumer across the board and then you ultimately 586 00:44:28,640 --> 00:44:33,320 spend less because you're not going to target runs and spending $350 and you're 587 00:44:33,320 --> 00:44:34,880 like, what did I even buy? 588 00:44:34,880 --> 00:44:37,915 I had like five things on my list. 589 00:44:39,670 --> 00:44:40,480 Absolutely. 590 00:44:40,480 --> 00:44:53,150 I've totally done that so many times I didn't need to have a different, color 591 00:44:53,150 --> 00:44:56,130 throw for my couch because it's fall. 592 00:44:56,250 --> 00:44:57,350 Right. 593 00:44:57,350 --> 00:45:02,970 But because I saw that display and it looked really cool and it's fall you just 594 00:45:02,970 --> 00:45:04,612 get like sucked in. 595 00:45:04,612 --> 00:45:09,512 Yeah, or maybe you could have thrifted that because I feel like most like that 596 00:45:09,512 --> 00:45:10,052 kind of stuff. 597 00:45:10,052 --> 00:45:13,692 I see so much of that at thrift stores, especially fall decor. 598 00:45:13,692 --> 00:45:15,032 my gosh. 599 00:45:15,272 --> 00:45:18,572 It ends up at a thrift store before going to a landfill. 600 00:45:20,106 --> 00:45:25,826 So go to the thrift store first and buy online from stores like Me Mother Earth to 601 00:45:25,826 --> 00:45:31,046 support small businesses who are doing the right thing for the planet and for people 602 00:45:31,046 --> 00:45:39,206 and that you can trust, I just think it's such a much more fulfilling Once you make 603 00:45:39,206 --> 00:45:42,546 that shift, it's so much more fulfilling to be like, I'm supporting a small 604 00:45:42,546 --> 00:45:46,726 business, a locally owned business, a couple, you know then to just be like 605 00:45:46,726 --> 00:45:47,438 well, I 606 00:45:47,438 --> 00:45:51,818 Hmm, more money to the corporation who's destroying our planet with their products. 607 00:45:51,818 --> 00:45:53,796 You know. 608 00:45:53,796 --> 00:45:58,896 that like are saying like we're gonna be plastic neutral by like 2050 like that 609 00:45:58,896 --> 00:46:04,366 doesn't take 20 years Like does that take 20 years to do? 610 00:46:04,366 --> 00:46:19,536 Right. 611 00:46:19,536 --> 00:46:21,996 is a corporation. 612 00:46:21,996 --> 00:46:22,936 Well, it's not a corporation. 613 00:46:22,936 --> 00:46:23,146 Sorry. 614 00:46:23,146 --> 00:46:24,366 It's a nonprofit organization. 615 00:46:24,366 --> 00:46:28,716 And we just partnered with them, Repurpose Global, and they do a plastic neutral 616 00:46:28,716 --> 00:46:29,416 certification. 617 00:46:29,416 --> 00:46:37,136 But the companies that they take on have to set realistic goals for reducing their 618 00:46:37,136 --> 00:46:38,356 plastic consumption. 619 00:46:38,356 --> 00:46:42,396 And for every item that they sell in plastic, two items are removed from the 620 00:46:42,396 --> 00:46:43,278 environment. 621 00:46:43,278 --> 00:46:44,300 Okay. 622 00:46:44,300 --> 00:46:47,660 that's how they're becoming like plastic neutral. 623 00:46:47,660 --> 00:46:52,260 So Repurpose Global is doing a lot and I really like our new partnership with them 624 00:46:52,260 --> 00:47:00,200 because they help with, so where is the waste going, right? 625 00:47:00,200 --> 00:47:05,920 you think that our waste stream is really good and it's going to a landfill, it's 626 00:47:05,920 --> 00:47:11,160 getting recycled, but a lot of the times we are shipping off our waste to 627 00:47:11,160 --> 00:47:13,064 developing countries. 628 00:47:13,188 --> 00:47:18,868 And they have waste management systems that are non -existent. 629 00:47:18,868 --> 00:47:23,328 You know, they don't have a trash service and they're overwhelmed with the amount of 630 00:47:23,328 --> 00:47:25,168 waste that they're receiving. 631 00:47:25,668 --> 00:47:32,968 And so this organization Repurpose Global enables people that are trash collectors 632 00:47:32,968 --> 00:47:38,748 and actually gives them a job and is making, you know, infrastructure around 633 00:47:38,748 --> 00:47:40,708 waste management and these. 634 00:47:40,708 --> 00:47:45,648 developing countries that are being overwhelmed by the amount of waste that is 635 00:47:45,648 --> 00:47:46,368 coming their way. 636 00:47:46,368 --> 00:47:48,498 And it's not necessarily from their own population. 637 00:47:48,498 --> 00:47:57,648 It's coming from other nations taking advantage of the fact that these countries 638 00:47:57,648 --> 00:48:18,338 like really need the money 639 00:48:18,338 --> 00:48:24,868 But there are lots of greenwashing around, companies making claims to reducing their 640 00:48:24,868 --> 00:48:28,858 plastic production in so many years. 641 00:48:28,858 --> 00:49:17,780 And it's like, OK, really? 642 00:49:17,780 --> 00:49:19,660 We need to cut off the tap, right? 643 00:49:19,660 --> 00:49:24,860 We need to cut off the tap with consuming and then stop it before it reaches the 644 00:49:24,860 --> 00:49:25,240 ocean. 645 00:49:25,240 --> 00:49:26,330 So how do we do that? 646 00:49:26,330 --> 00:49:32,140 Better waste management systems, cleaning up rivers and areas that it could 647 00:49:32,140 --> 00:49:34,780 potentially wash downstream and end up in the ocean. 648 00:49:34,780 --> 00:49:37,285 So you've got to stop it before it gets there. 649 00:49:37,285 --> 00:49:41,715 And those are some of the solutions that are really working besides, you know, 650 00:49:41,715 --> 00:49:46,775 just, cleaning up the beach, which is a great thing to do. 651 00:49:46,775 --> 00:49:47,945 I love doing it. 652 00:49:47,945 --> 00:49:53,905 I can't go to a beach without picking up plastic, but it's, we really need to cut 653 00:49:53,905 --> 00:50:28,206 off the tap and we need to stop producing the plastic and manage where it goes 654 00:50:28,206 --> 00:50:33,206 You're right, we have to stop the production of it, I think is the number 655 00:50:33,206 --> 00:50:34,626 one priority. 656 00:50:34,626 --> 00:50:42,746 And in order for that to happen, consumers just have to shift into a new direction by 657 00:50:42,746 --> 00:50:49,086 being aware and then empowered to make new choices with businesses like yours that 658 00:50:49,086 --> 00:50:52,466 they can support instead of the ones that they grew up with. 659 00:50:52,466 --> 00:51:04,990 I think people are just using stuff that they've always used out of habit. 660 00:51:04,990 --> 00:51:10,010 people grew up with those smells and it reminds them of being a kid and, you know, 661 00:51:10,010 --> 00:51:12,930 to use that laundry detergent or that cleaner or whatever. 662 00:51:12,930 --> 00:51:35,198 And then, yeah, 663 00:51:35,198 --> 00:51:41,618 it's a transition and being the change is a huge piece of the puzzle. 664 00:51:41,618 --> 00:51:46,078 People that are aware of people that are, you know, willing to jump in and be like, 665 00:51:46,078 --> 00:51:50,018 okay, I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I'm going to start and I'm going to try. 666 00:51:50,018 --> 00:51:59,202 And yeah, your, your products are obviously in multiple areas of my guide 667 00:51:59,202 --> 00:52:06,582 So you can find ME Mother Earth in the oral care chapter because you have an 668 00:52:06,582 --> 00:52:11,482 amazing line of bamboo toothbrushes and I do want to talk about this a little bit 669 00:52:11,482 --> 00:52:16,222 because I feel like a lot of people have an electric toothbrush and they don't want 670 00:52:16,222 --> 00:52:19,682 to give that up and I get it. 671 00:52:19,682 --> 00:52:23,534 My husband is on that side of the fence and me I'm just like all. 672 00:52:23,534 --> 00:52:25,314 Bamboo, no problem. 673 00:52:25,574 --> 00:52:30,494 I have no issues with that, but he's been using an electric toothbrush for years. 674 00:52:30,494 --> 00:52:35,514 So having the bamboo head with the bristles that are also not made of plastic 675 00:52:35,514 --> 00:52:41,294 or synthetic materials that are made of compostable materials is an amazing option 676 00:52:41,294 --> 00:52:50,922 to reduce that piece of heavy plastic waste 677 00:52:50,922 --> 00:52:53,542 So I love that and I want to point people to that. 678 00:52:53,542 --> 00:52:58,662 It's in the guide in the teeth section and also just so many other great products 679 00:52:58,662 --> 00:53:01,562 that you have for oral care. 680 00:53:01,562 --> 00:53:07,542 The floss that's also biodegradable and refillable and the containers that are 681 00:53:07,542 --> 00:53:10,072 not, there's no plastic involved, like zero. 682 00:53:10,072 --> 00:53:11,964 I just love it. 683 00:53:11,964 --> 00:53:12,984 and refillable. 684 00:53:12,984 --> 00:53:18,944 I mean, how much in your lifetime are you going to be brushing and flossing your 685 00:53:18,944 --> 00:53:19,364 teeth? 686 00:53:19,364 --> 00:53:24,864 This is such a small thing that everyone can do to reduce plastic waste every 687 00:53:24,864 --> 00:53:25,764 single day. 688 00:53:25,764 --> 00:53:31,264 There is a bit of a learning, a transitional period, because if you're 689 00:53:31,264 --> 00:53:33,594 switching over to a toothpaste tablet, it's weird. 690 00:53:33,594 --> 00:53:36,004 It's not something that you've used your whole life. 691 00:53:36,004 --> 00:53:38,556 So it takes a little bit of like, 692 00:53:38,572 --> 00:53:40,892 I can do this, like getting used to it. 693 00:53:40,892 --> 00:53:43,112 And then the texture of bamboo in your mouth. 694 00:53:43,112 --> 00:53:45,242 Like I know some people, it takes them a little while. 695 00:53:45,242 --> 00:53:49,452 It took my husband a little while to like get used to switching to a bamboo 696 00:53:49,452 --> 00:53:49,932 toothbrush. 697 00:53:49,932 --> 00:53:51,122 Cause he was like, I don't know. 698 00:53:51,122 --> 00:53:55,572 This like makes my mouth feel weird at first, but you're going to want to like 699 00:53:55,572 --> 00:53:56,692 make the change. 700 00:53:56,692 --> 00:54:01,732 And I think like it's motivating to not be like having plastic in your mouth every 701 00:54:01,732 --> 00:54:06,698 day. 702 00:54:06,698 --> 00:54:23,754 all those chemicals are being dumped off in your mouth 703 00:54:23,754 --> 00:54:29,794 And I even switched to those toothbrushes for my dog because she kind of, she was on 704 00:54:29,794 --> 00:54:32,194 it a little bit while I brushed her teeth. 705 00:54:32,194 --> 00:54:39,134 And before, when I was using a plastic toothbrush that I ended up with after 706 00:54:39,134 --> 00:54:42,794 taking her to go get groomed and they brushed her teeth and they handed me the 707 00:54:42,794 --> 00:54:44,094 toothbrush and I was like, 708 00:54:44,430 --> 00:54:46,630 It's already been used, okay. 709 00:54:46,930 --> 00:54:51,410 So I used it until I kind of realized like this might not be the best thing because 710 00:54:51,410 --> 00:54:57,390 she's kind of gnawed on it a little bit and that's plastic and if one little piece 711 00:54:57,390 --> 00:55:01,410 of that goes in her mouth, she's gonna swallow that and that's a big piece of 712 00:55:01,410 --> 00:55:01,770 plastic. 713 00:55:01,770 --> 00:55:09,630 So I just replaced her stuff too with bamboo, which is kind of strange, but why 714 00:55:09,630 --> 00:55:10,316 not, right? 715 00:55:10,316 --> 00:55:11,176 No, why not? 716 00:55:11,176 --> 00:55:14,436 I mean, I use my old, you're supposed to change your toothbrush like every three 717 00:55:14,436 --> 00:55:14,676 months. 718 00:55:14,676 --> 00:55:19,164 So I just like boil the old one and that one gets like demoted to my dog. 719 00:55:19,650 --> 00:55:21,230 that's a great idea. 720 00:55:21,350 --> 00:55:23,130 Just boil it, sterilize it. 721 00:55:23,130 --> 00:55:26,170 They're not going to get any of your microbiome. 722 00:55:26,930 --> 00:55:27,748 Yeah. 723 00:55:27,748 --> 00:55:31,468 that just gets used for my dog because I mean, I don't brush my dog's teeth every 724 00:55:31,468 --> 00:55:32,348 day. 725 00:55:32,348 --> 00:55:33,288 So. 726 00:55:33,302 --> 00:55:33,582 no. 727 00:55:33,582 --> 00:55:38,562 And also, yeah, I usually use mine for repurpose mine for cleaning little corners 728 00:55:38,562 --> 00:55:40,661 and scrubbing tile and things like that. 729 00:55:40,661 --> 00:55:45,342 But that's another great way to repurpose if you already have enough toothbrushes 730 00:55:45,342 --> 00:55:51,142 that you're cleaning with But yeah, there's so many little tips and tricks. 731 00:55:51,142 --> 00:55:58,062 And if you're listening and you want to, know where to get some of these tips and 732 00:55:58,062 --> 00:56:01,998 tricks, I'm sure that you probably share a lot on your Instagram. 733 00:56:01,998 --> 00:56:04,890 Which, where can we find you? 734 00:56:05,116 --> 00:56:07,816 On Instagram, we're most active on Instagram. 735 00:56:07,816 --> 00:56:11,056 So it's at me .motherearth. 736 00:56:11,056 --> 00:56:14,486 And then our website is memotherearthbrand .com. 737 00:56:14,486 --> 00:56:20,616 We have a YouTube, we have a TikTok and a Pinterest, but I'm not as active on those 738 00:56:20,616 --> 00:56:22,096 platforms. 739 00:56:23,076 --> 00:56:24,336 Instagram is the one. 740 00:56:24,336 --> 00:56:28,036 Yeah, Instagram is the one that most active on. 741 00:56:28,036 --> 00:56:30,212 Although we are working on some more like 742 00:56:30,212 --> 00:56:33,812 kind of tutorials, because we want people to be able to like take care of the 743 00:56:33,812 --> 00:56:38,331 products that they purchase from us and know how to make them last the longest and 744 00:56:38,331 --> 00:56:40,692 best ways to dispose of them and things like that. 745 00:56:40,692 --> 00:56:43,702 So those are some of the things that are coming for like YouTube later. 746 00:56:43,702 --> 00:56:44,982 That's my goal for the year. 747 00:56:44,982 --> 00:56:49,112 But yeah, we do share a lot on Instagram, just tips and tricks, not necessarily 748 00:56:49,112 --> 00:56:52,962 about products, not necessarily about buying our stuff all the time. 749 00:56:52,962 --> 00:56:56,892 It's overall, wellness. 750 00:56:57,124 --> 00:57:01,844 the planet and our bodies and you know, we have two homes. 751 00:57:02,644 --> 00:57:04,050 The planet and our body. 752 00:57:04,050 --> 00:57:08,690 And if we care about our health and our wellness, which is what Live Lightly is 753 00:57:08,690 --> 00:57:16,990 all about, we are also, responsible for keeping in mind the health and wellness of 754 00:57:16,990 --> 00:57:18,210 the planet. 755 00:57:18,210 --> 00:57:23,170 And the best way to do that is through the products that we buy as consumers, just 756 00:57:23,170 --> 00:58:01,858 everyday products. 757 00:58:01,858 --> 00:58:06,958 It's just swapping it out for something different, which is really cool, because 758 00:58:06,958 --> 00:58:09,718 then you're not buying stuff you don't really need. 759 00:58:09,718 --> 00:58:11,958 It's stuff that you're buying anyways that you do need. 760 00:58:11,958 --> 00:58:16,538 And now it's just like, hey, it's better for me and my wellness and my health and 761 00:58:16,538 --> 00:58:20,618 my family and my home and my dog and pets. 762 00:58:20,654 --> 00:58:26,654 And it's better for Mother Earth, who's providing everything, clean soil, clean 763 00:58:26,654 --> 00:58:30,914 air, clean water, for us to live healthy, long lives. 764 00:58:30,914 --> 00:58:35,078 So it's really just a shift in, mentality, too. 765 00:58:35,236 --> 00:58:36,356 Yeah, 100%. 766 00:58:36,356 --> 00:58:36,936 100%. 767 00:58:36,936 --> 00:58:41,156 And once you, once you start, you're going to fall into that rabbit hole that we 768 00:58:41,156 --> 00:58:42,216 talked about. 769 00:58:42,610 --> 00:58:46,230 You know, fall into the rabbit hole, I think, of just wanting to know what's next 770 00:58:46,230 --> 00:58:47,980 when you need to buy something new. 771 00:58:47,980 --> 00:58:57,504 Not necessarily the rabbit hole of like having to do all the research 772 00:58:57,504 --> 00:59:01,804 with your podcast and our social and we have a blog too. 773 00:59:01,804 --> 00:59:05,131 We take care of some of the research for you. 774 00:59:05,254 --> 00:59:13,474 much all of it. 775 00:59:13,474 --> 00:59:18,634 And then yeah, the podcast and my free guide, which it's a free resource for 776 00:59:18,634 --> 00:59:20,074 anybody who wants it. 777 00:59:20,074 --> 00:59:22,974 It's on livelightly .eco. 778 00:59:22,974 --> 00:59:28,014 So livelightly .eco under free guide. 779 00:59:28,014 --> 00:59:38,770 and when you do that, you're also joining my email list, which I send 780 00:59:38,770 --> 00:59:46,530 not only to let you know that a new episode is coming but also tips and just 781 00:59:46,530 --> 00:59:52,530 other resources for people who don't have the time, energy, or want to spare their 782 00:59:52,530 --> 00:59:57,300 sanity from having to do all the research and sifting through the greenwashing. 783 00:59:57,300 --> 01:00:02,030 Because like you said, when we started our conversation, 784 01:00:02,030 --> 01:00:08,870 There are so many options out there, but actually not so many options out there. 785 01:00:08,870 --> 01:00:13,310 Whatever is out there, I've sifted through it in hours and hours of research and it's 786 01:00:13,310 --> 01:00:22,630 in that guide. 787 01:00:22,630 --> 01:00:26,050 just take it out any time you need something for your household. 788 01:00:26,050 --> 01:00:31,854 And even like I said, your products are in different chapters because, 789 01:00:31,854 --> 01:01:00,496 your products check so many different boxes 790 01:01:00,496 --> 01:01:02,096 Well, and we're always here to help too. 791 01:01:02,096 --> 01:01:06,856 Like our small but mighty team is always here to answer questions so we can answer 792 01:01:06,856 --> 01:01:08,996 those questions before you buy it. 793 01:01:08,996 --> 01:01:13,616 And so the product will work for you because that's what we ultimately want. 794 01:01:13,616 --> 01:01:17,256 Because then you're going to be hooked and you're going to want to reduce plastic in 795 01:01:17,256 --> 01:01:21,695 so many areas of your home. 796 01:01:22,362 --> 01:01:24,322 Yeah, exactly. 797 01:01:24,322 --> 01:01:27,942 So I loved having this conversation with you today. 798 01:01:27,942 --> 01:01:29,642 It was super fun. 799 01:01:29,642 --> 01:01:39,722 And thank you for sharing your stories and the struggle and all the challenges that 800 01:01:39,722 --> 01:01:40,452 you've gone through. 801 01:01:40,452 --> 01:01:44,882 I just really think that it's important for people to kind of know like how much 802 01:01:44,882 --> 01:01:49,094 goes into something that looks so simple, right? 803 01:01:50,472 --> 01:01:51,010 Yeah. 804 01:01:51,010 --> 01:01:55,680 and years of hard work and research and dedication and it's all from the heart, 805 01:01:55,680 --> 01:01:57,862 you know, so thank you. 806 01:01:58,096 --> 01:01:59,666 Well, thank you for having me. 807 01:01:59,666 --> 01:02:00,842 It's been a lot of fun. 808 01:02:00,842 --> 01:02:05,704 absolutely.