Kindred Gifts' Blog

Q & A time with.... Andriana Spence from Hank & JoJo, the coolest, sporty little knee highs in their class!

Hank and JoJo Retro Tube socks make great gifts for all young ages and are a no brainer when looking for something that's adorable, long lasting, useful and eco-friendly for the lucky kids in your life!

These gorgeous gift sets contain 4 pairs of unisex socks that come in a range of colours your kids will love. The Retro Tube socks come packaged in a beautiful mini tin lunch box that is lead free and printed with food grade ink. Super cute, the lunchbox will quickly become a fun keepsake and carryall for all babies and older kids. Bet you wish now that they came in adult sizes, don't you?

We had a chat with Andriana from Hank & JoJo recently to find the inside story behind the making of this fantastic range!

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?  

A. Hank & JoJo was started half out of necessity, half out of humor.  When I had my first daughter I received tons of adorable socks, but I quickly realized that they do not stay on, and they do not last long. I also had a few pairs of leg warmers for her which were great for covering her legs but I always had to pair them with socks to cover her feet. My thought was, why the heck isn’t there a super long baby sock???  A few months later, Hank & JoJo was born, and I decided to be funny and make them look like old school tube socks, just because I thought that would look hysterical and awesome on a baby.

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far?
A. One of my proudest moments was this past Halloween when I took my children to the local Halloween festival in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. We were walking across the park when I came across a family of Royal Tenenbaums. As I got closer I realized the newly walking baby at their feet was also in costume. What was he wearing? Socks none other than Hank & JoJo Retro Baby Tube Socks. This may not seem strange to you, but the parents actually bought them online not knowing that the company was a local company or that they could buy them at a number of stores in NYC. I felt really proud because it was the first time I had ever come across a child wearing one of my products in public, and it was in my very own neighbourhood!

Q. If you had to describe your business/organisation as a ‘person’, in 5 words they would be:

A. 1) Warm 2) Friendly 3) Snarky 4) Protective 5) Happy

 

Q. Is there a charity/cause close to you, and if so why? 

A. Not many people know but each purchase of Hank & JoJo products helps us to donate Infant Tube Socks to The Tiny Miracles Foundation.  They build these Homecare Starter Kits for Premature Infants who are ready to go home from the NICU that are full of all the things the family may need once they are home, including our long and teeny socks to keep little legs warm!  It's a really great organization.  It's not advertised much, but we do enclose a little card in each box of socks to let the customer know how they are helping out these babies and families.

 

 

Q. Strangest or funniest work story? 

A. Well...like many mothers who own their own business, I work from home.  This means you are constantly working on the computer in between meals, snacks, potty breaks and lots of children’s TV shows unfortunately.  A few months ago I had a really important phone call with one of my largest accounts, so I set the older one up in front of a movie, and the younger one in her high chair with a pint of blueberries.  Long story short, my plan totally failed and the phone call ended with the buyer laughing so hard she said she snarfed her coffee through her nose onto her keyboard.  We decided it would be best to converse over email from then on.

 

Q. What 5 people (living or dead) would you most like to sit down to dinner with, and why?

A. 1) Beethoven: I have played piano all my life and have always been strangely connected to his music and life.  I’d love to hear about it first hand.

2) Anthony Bourdain: Because he’s just cool and I think we’d be great eating (and drinking) buddies.

3) Stan Lee:  I am not a comic book reader, but I think he’s a genius.

4) Dean Karnazes, the Ultra Marathon Man:  I recently began training for a ½ marathon and I’d just like to ask him WHY??????  WHYYYYYYY????!!!!

5) Ivan Spence, my husband:  We NEVER get to eat dinner, just the two of us, alone!  That would be nice. 

  

Q. If you weren’t in this line of work, instead you would be? 

A. Working as a publicist in fashion.  That’s what I did in my previous life and I still miss it every day!  My PR experience has been invaluable though in my business, because I realized almost everything to do with growing a company involves publicity in one way or another!  I also realized that I really like building websites, so if I had a little more html schooling, maybe I’d be a coder?

 

Q. Greatest lesson learnt? 

A. It is always worth trying.  If you have a crazy idea, put it down on paper and see if you could try it out on the market.  There are so many avenues now for small business owners be it through Etsy, or a template driven e-commerce site, anyone can start a business.  You just have to have the confidence and passion to give it a try.  If it doesn’t work out, at least you gave it a chance and what you can learn while building your own business is amazingly valuable knowledge you can take with you to any future job.

Hank & JoJo Retro Tube socks are available in four different sizes: infant and newborn ($39.95), baby ($42.95), toddler ($44.95) and kiddie ($46.95). Made from the highest quality bamboo and dyed with AZO-free dyes, kids will love how unbelievably soft the bamboo makes these socks, and parents will love that bamboo has a natural UV protection built right in.

If you'd like to learn more about Hank & JoJo Retro Tube socks, view the whole range here!

Love fashion? Love the planet? …Matthew Paroz, founder of great Aussie blog HowBigIsYourEco helps you to enjoy both by showcasing a range of labels who manage to combine style with sustainability.

HowBigIsYourEco cherrypicks the coolest bits from around the globe along with a directory of favourite labels from Australia and New Zealand.

Matthew is associate editor of GQ Australia. He has worked in publishing and PR in Australia and the UK on titles including InStyle, vogue.com.au, Peppermint, marie claire and blogging for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

We were excited to be able to ask Matt to share the story behind his super stylish fashion blog and got the goss on his eco life....

 

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?

A. HowBigIsYourEco.com.au is a fashion blog and directory that I created to challenge the perception that eco equals ugly. As a fashion journalist I don’t believe that style and sustainability are mutually exclusive—and to have any real impact, they mustn’t be. Who’s going to buy ugly clothes?

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far?

A. Quitting a cushy magazine job to start the blog and go freelance was a bit of a risk, but it was the best thing ever. Professionally, things are going gangbusters—I’m now associate editor of GQ magazine: dream job. And I still have the freedom to do projects like HowBigIsYourEco and blogging for Rosemount Australian Fashion Week.

Q. What makes you smile, laugh, feel good? What brings you happiness?

A. Travelling—taking a big chunk of time to disappear somewhere completely removed from everything you know. It’s grounding and puts things in perspective.

Q. Do you have any new projects/products coming up soon?

A. I’m about to launch a site dishing out style and etiquette advice to grooms, www.essentialgroom.com.au. There’s nothing like it in Australia.

Q. Strangest or funniest work story?

A. I once jumped on a trampoline with Delta Goodrem. I was worried we’d have an accident and I’d have to tell my editor that I knocked her teeth out.

 

Q. If you weren’t in this line of work, you would be instead:

A. It’s not very eco but I’d have loved to be an automotive designer—I’ve always drawn cars since I was a kid. Even now I’ll be on the phone and randomly sketch one. They all look a bit alike, so maybe it’s just as well…

Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best part of growing up there?

A. Gladstone on the central Queensland coast. I’d like to say I grew up surfing but it’s a harbour city and the water belongs to coal ships. Mum and Dad used to take us on road trips and camping for weekends and holidays, which I loved. My favourite camping spot from that time is a private housing estate now, of course.

Q. The three things you can’t leave home without are:

A. As long as I have my key, I’m happy. Although I often don’t, which is why I have spares planted at friends’ houses. I’ve learnt the hard way.

Q. Growing up you wanted to be:

A. When I started school, a bus driver, as I got a little older, an actor. By the end of high school I wanted to be a fashion designer. I’d sketch formal dresses for all the girls during study period. So I ended up doing marketing and PR at uni. Go figure.

Q. Favourite movie and/or book:

A. Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll took me away to another world as a kid, I’d read it every summer. And I’ll never forgive Tim Burton for taking liberties with such an incredible tale. His movie stinks.

Q. Favourite place/way to relax:

A. Maybe it’s a throwback to our family road trips, I love a a weekend away on the New South Wales south coast. I have friends with a gorgeous, lo-fi country shack close to the beach. The only things to do there are nap and eat.

 

One of the most popular brands that we stock has to be Bold & Noble - the UK design firm who create amazing handpulled screen prints on eco friendly recycled paper. We love the range of prints from Bold & Noble and recently went behind the scenes to find out just what makes Jane Tobitt tick....

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?

A. We started B&N in 2008. David already had an illustration/design business called www.designedbydavid.co.uk, the main bulk of his work was book covers and he'd become very established in that arena, you couldn't walk into a bookshop without seeing his designs on the shelf. People would often email David to tell him they loved the cover he designed for such and such book, so we were mildly aware there was this positive vibe about his designs. We'd just had our first child and moved 30 minutes out of London to Hertfordshire. My background was also in graphics, art direction and websites and although motherhood was a delight I needed something to keep my creativity going. The thought of commuting back into London and leaving our son Wilf in childcare for 12 hour days wasn't appealing to us. 

 

We'd recently struggled to find lovely wall art for our son's room, so the idea of setting up a business that sold screen prints came to the fore. We'd always toyed with the idea of collaborating on projects, but were wary that it didn't effect our family life. As designers you have all the right skills to set up a business – you can design a logo, website, shoot the product photography and create the products, in the past I'd worked on branding campaigns so was familiar with the background to launching new ideas and getting press coverage. 

 

I was fortunate, my brilliant Mum who lives a couple of hours drive away looked after Wilf while I set about designing the logo and website with our friend Jonathan. Besides the designs, there was a lot to think about, what would our returns policy be, would we sell wholesale etc… In terms of the designs, we decided to launch Bold & Noble with a collection of 12 designs, they're all the same size, are printed in one colour and fit into standard sized frames. We were keen to make the process of buying a print and getting it on your wall as easy and cost efficient as possible for our customers. 

 

Within the first few weeks of launching the website, I started approaching the press. We were incredibly lucky Elle Decoration, The Times newspaper and Living Etc… ran features on our work within the first few months and that helped to get our name out there. Slowly shops and galleries started approaching us about selling our prints and sales directly on our website were picking up too. I look back fondly to those first few months were I'd walk down to the post office with my poster tubes propped up on the buggy to dispatch our orders, nowadays it is a much bigger operation but I like to think we haven't lost any of the personal touches or quality. If anything we've improved and streamlined the process for our customers and having Sarah and Harpreet to help us has been a godsend.

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far?  

A. There isn't one that sticks out, of course the success of Bold & Noble is a wonderful achievement and having our work featured in beautiful magazines is a huge buzz. But I would say being a mother is and will always be my greatest achievement.

Q. What has been your most difficult challenge, and how did you overcome it?   

A. Setting the right balance. What is tricky now we're running a fully functioning business with employees and overheads is to switch off the business brain and give ourselves the time to be creative, to be inspired. In order to come up with new, creative ideas you need to have the time to play, to be a kid again and it isn't easy getting to that place if you're worrying about the tax return.

Q. What is the nicest ‘Random Act of Kindness’ that you have done or that has been done for you?

A. Our kicks come from creating lovely designs, making a profit is nice too, but we’re not particularly money driven people, so we give away a share of our profits to various charities at Christmas. Employees choose their chosen charity, something that may be close to their hearts and we donate on their behalf and of course we have our charities that we support too.

Q. Which 5 words best describe you? 

A. I'm probably not the best person to put forward the personality suggestions – hard working, optimistic, generous, frustratingly over ambitious about what can be achieved in a day, erm… perhaps you should ask the people who know me best.

Q. Is there a charity/cause close to you, and if so why? 

A. Where does the list end? I’m one of those people who sits blubbing in front of the tv to anything vaguely upsetting – suffering, natural disasters, the sick, poorly treated children, animals, anyone really!

Q. Do you have any new projects/products coming up soon?  

A. We’re working on some new country type maps and in July 2011 we’ll be launching a few completely new designs – exciting stuff.

Q. Your mother/father always told you: 

A. ‘Do something you’re passionate about’. My parents were pretty easy going and never pressured us with high academic expectations – they let us get on with it. My brother is a Clinical Psychologist and I run Bold & Noble and we really enjoy our jobs, so it all worked out in the end.

Q. Biggest inspiration: 

A. Everyday people who face obstacles (like illness, oppression, poverty) and approach the world with optimism and motivation.

Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best part of growing up there? 

A. I grew up in a village, near the South coast not far from Brighton, England. You know everyone, you go to the one local school and you have the freedom to roam around the countryside – it was bliss. Brighton is also a brilliant, artistic, cultural city and growing up with that backdrop of possibilities was really inspiring.

Q. Best advice you’ve ever been given: 

A. Perseverance works – just keep working at it and it’ll come good in the end.

           

To check out our whole range of the incredible Bold & Noble designs, head here.

Q & A time with the fabulous Pamela from Nature & Health magazine!

Nature & Health magazine is a fantastic resource for people who are passionate about their health, and it's a place to turn to for ideas, information and advice on areas as diverse as herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, eating well, natural household products, and up-to-date research in the fields of complementary medicine and alternative therapies.

Nature & Health's inspiring and involving content has continued to drive readership since it launched way back in 1979 (impressive, huh?). Recognised as a leading provider of information on natural therapies and alternative healthcare, every story, idea, hint or tip in the magazine provides solutions for readers to take charge of their own health as they balance the needs of the body with those of the mind and spirit.

Multiple products from the Kindred Gifts' range (9 to be exact!) are featured  in the current, April/May 2011, edition of the magazine. Now if that doesn't show that it's a clever, innovative magazine, what does? :)  You can check out this and other press on our 'In the Press' section.

We spoke to Pamela recently to get all the details on the woman behind this publishing mainstay....

 

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?  

A. Nature & Health magazine is Australia’s original and best natural health magazine. It was started by Blackmores 32 years ago, long before anyone knew how to even spell muesli or fluoride. I worked for Blackmores and eventually ended up as Editor of Nature & Health – my dream job.

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far? 

A. Personally, raising two beautiful sons – they are courageous, funny, talented, affectionate, and kind - better than I ever could have imagined. Professionally, I am enormously proud of Nature & Health – there aren’t too many magazines in the world that can claim 32 years of continuous publication, and I consider it a privilege to produce a quality, modern, fresh magazine that informs and inspires. I am also proud of having written 33 books on natural health and beauty.

Q. What has been your most difficult challenge, and how did you overcome it? 

A. Divorce. And with the help of my mother, my sons, my friends, and a steely backbone I didn’t even know I had.

Q. What makes you smile, laugh, feel good? What brings you happiness? 

A. My sons. My husband. Cats, flowers, friends, music, cooking, wine, books, movies. I am a very domestic creature.

Q. Which 5 words best describe you?

A. Kind. Loving. Honest. Diligent. Helpful.

Q. If you had to describe Nature & Health magazine as a ‘person’, in 5 words it would be: 

A. Fresh, modern, informative and inviting.

Q. Is there a charity/cause close to you, and if so why?

A. RSPCA, bcause animals don’t have a voice of their own.

Q. Do you have any new projects/products coming up soon?

A. A book on aromatherapy and massage – out this year.

Q. Your mother/father always told you: 

A. Be true to yourself.

Q. Biggest inspiration:

A. Love – it’s all that matters.

Q. Greatest lesson learnt?  

A. If you’ve got a choice between being right or being kind, be kind.

Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best part of growing up there? 

A. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. And the food – laksa, curry, sambal, coconut, lychees, mangosteens, I could go on.

Q. The three things you can’t leave home without are: 

A. Keys, lipstick, wallet – and a mental snapshot of what’s in the fridge so I know what to pick up for dinner.

Q. Favourite movie and/or book: 

A. Impossible to choose – Pulp Fiction, Love Actually, Sound of Music, Young at Heart, the Blues Brothers …I have eclectic tastes, to put it mildly. The best book I have read this year (and I read one a week) is Ape House. Beyond brilliant.

Q. Favourite place/way to relax: 

A. At home, with my family.

Read more about this fantastic magazine at www.natureandhealth.com.au or pick up a copy of the mag at a newsagent today.

You can also follow Nature & Health magazine on Facebook - just head to www.facebook.com/natureandhealth

Q & A time with.... Ruth Friedlander from Martha Goes Green, a beautiful vegetarian cookbook which will have your taste buds dancing!

 

The Martha Goes Green Cookbook, $29.95, is a beautifully designed and illustrated book that makes a fabulous and affordable Mother's Day gift, birthday gift or housewarming gift. Presented in a cute, organic cotton drawstring bag and containing more than 50 delicious vegetarian recipes, Martha Goes Green makes a fantastic Australian, eco friendly gift or just a simply fantastic addition to your own kitchen.

 

Printed on recycled paper with vegetable based inks and independently published in Australia, you can be sure that this cookbook will make any friend or family member feel very special.

 

We had a chat with Ruth from Martha Goes Green recently to find the inside story behind the making of this gorgeous cookbook.

 

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?  

A. Martha Goes Green started off as a project between myself and then housemate Rosie Percival to document our recipe collection. We roped in a few friends to help with photography and illustration and after printing a few cookbooks for friends and family we decided to invest in a larger print run and try to sell a few at markets and in local craft and book stores. It kind of snowballed from there and we are now almost sold out of our 4th print run!

 

 

Q. What has been your greatest or proudest achievement so far?  

A. Each new achievement becomes our greatest! Selling out of our first print run was pretty awesome, as was getting our first reviews/interviews printed in local media. We have also started writing food and cooking articles for a few magazines and blogs so becoming published columnists would be up there also.

 

Q. What has been your most difficult challenge, and how did you overcome it?  

A. Self-publishing is a pretty big challenge in itself. Finding the funds to start was quite tough but we just took the plunge and invested some savings, which we were eventually able to recoup through sales. Also the shear amount of work when you are not only writing the recipes and creating the publication but being your own accountant, publicist and distributor while holding down full-time work can be tough. Luckily Rosie’s work has been good with her switching to part-time hours and I work from home as a freelancer so there are less late nights and long long days now.

 

Q. What makes you smile, laugh, feel good? What brings you happiness?

A.  Great food, great friends and feeling like however small, you are making some sort of a contribution to a kinder, more compassionate world.

  

Q. Which 5 words best describe you?

A.  Passionate, Loving, Determined, Inquisitive and Thoughtful.

 

Q. If you had to describe your business/organisation as a ‘person’, in 5 words they would be:

A. Crafty, Cute, Compassionate, Colourful and Considerate.

 

Q. Is there a charity/cause close to you, and if so why?

A. I personally support Amnesty International, Oxfam, the Fred Hollows foundation and Peta. I find the individuals who make up these organisations and their dedication to each different cause incredibly inspiring.

 

Q. Do you have any new projects/products coming up soon?

A. We really want to start on another book this year but are struggling to come up with the time! Fingers crossed we’ll have one out by Christmas.

   

Q. Your mother/father always told you:

A.  My Mum always said to me that life is filled with ups and downs, and to remember the ups will always come after the downs. That advice has helped me through slumps time after time.

 

Q. Biggest inspiration: 

A. I’m really lucky to be surrounded by inspirational people everyday. My Mum, Dad, Step-mum and sisters who work tirelessly in health, education and the public sector. My partner Mike who teaches me patience and diplomacy at times when I lack it. My supremely talented and creative friends who put everything into their work and art. And the co-creators of Martha Goes Green, Rosie and our photographer Jess, who each inspire me in their own individual ways.

  

Q. Greatest lesson learnt?

A. That if you put your all into something positive you will eventually be rewarded for it.

 

Q. The three things you can’t leave home without are:

A. Aside from the clothes on my back I can’t really think of anything. I am forever forgetting my phone, keys and wallet and while it can be annoying it doesn’t phase me too much. I have a very laissez-faire attitude towards material possessions.

 

Q. Growing up you wanted to be:

A. About a million different things, I could never make my mind up and still can’t!

 

Q. Favourite place/way to relax:

A. With a glass of wine and lovingly prepared meal, surrounded by friends and family in a beautiful setting.

Like to check out some fantastic sample recipes from the Martha Goes Green cookbook? Just head to our Resources page (and scroll down a little) for a 'taste' of some of the awesome recipes you'll find in the book.

Want to buy the book or find out more information? Click here.

Q & A time with..... Julie Moschenross of wonderful Canadian textile brand MANOR12

We love that the pieces in Julie's Manor12 range - including cushion covers, tea towels and napkins - are both sustainable and truly stylish. Julie handcrafts each piece in her beautiful range using only the finest materials and techniques, and you can be assured that each eco friendly and handmade product that she creates is truly one of a kind.  If you want to make a splash in any room and add some individual flair to your home or office, then we're sure that the Manor12 range will fit the bill!

                       

We had a chat with Julie to find out all the inside goss on what makes her tick and how she started producing these beautiful homewares....

 

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business/company (including when you started), and what was your inspiration for starting?

A. I started my business of designing and printing interior textiles in 2008 after receiving my diploma in Textile Design at Sheridan College just outside Toronto, Canada. I have always been intrigued by Interior Design, and had a passion for redesigning spaces whether it was based on a colour, theme or mood. I had always treated my passion as a hobby until I stumbled upon the field of Textile Design, and quickly realized that that career path would allow me to be the one designing patterns, choosing colours and creating the textures that would ultimately complete a space. And that was it. I was hooked! I approach every piece I make as if it is a little piece of luxury. I want my work to touch people on every sensory level … to be more than just beautiful, but something that conjures feelings of warmth and comfort as well. I like to think I am creating more than just functional pieces - I am creating an experience.

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far? (This can be business or personal, or both).

A. I am most proud of the fact that I started my business from the ground up - all by myself. I had a vision before I graduated of the kind of company I wanted to start, and the kind of work I wanted to make - and I am proud of myself for having the determination, perseverance and motivation to do what I do everyday. It can be a very tough industry - there is a lot of competition and a lot of risk, both financially and personally - but when I stand back and look at my collections - it makes it all worth it!

Q. What makes you smile, laugh, feel good? What brings you happiness?

A. My husband, my adorable Jack Russell Terrier - "Butter", spending time with my amazing circle of friends, my monthly subscription to Elle Decoration UK, the first sign of autumn, and my guilty pleasure: reality tv.

Q. Do you have any new projects/products coming up soon? If so, please dish the dirt!

A. I just started a line of hand-printed quilts and outdoor furniture, which I am really excited about! I am also always thinking about a line of baby-inspired interior textiles … so stay tuned for that!

Q. Your mother/father always told you:

A. That I could be whatever I wanted to be. Dream big.

Q. Biggest inspiration:

A. My husband is my biggest inspiration. He has the strongest work ethic of anyone I have ever met. He started his own home renovation company 7 years ago from nothing and has made himself into a household name. He is incredibly passionate about every aspect of what he does - and his drive is awe-inspiring. He treats his projects and his clients the same way: with TLC. No matter how busy he is - he always finds time for the important things in life - soaking up the moment, spending time with loved ones and finding the humour in any situation. His approach to work and play is something I strive to mimic everyday.

Q. If you weren’t in this line of work, instead you would be:

A. I was a contemporary dancer before I got into Textile Design - and performing on stage was one of the greatest joys of my life. If I wasn't designing - I would still be dancing!

Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best part of growing up there?

A. I grew up in Kincardine, Ontario - a beautiful small town in cottage country. The best part about growing up there was the beauty of being on the lake - and the quaint atmosphere of the town. Everyone knew everyone, and there was always a feeling that I was safe.

Q. Growing up you wanted to be:

A. A song writer and pop star!

Q & A with Chrissy Birdsall, founder and creator of Purestuf Natural Skincare

The Purestuf All Natural Skincare range has been created by Chrissy Birdsall. With over 40 years experience in the beauty and skincare industry, Chrissy believes that the skincare products we use on our body are as critical to a person’s well being as the food we put into our bodies. It’s with this belief that the Purestuf range was inspired.

Purestuf is the result of her passion and through her skincare range, Chrissy is intent on creating healing, nurturing products that uplift mind, body and spirit. We spoke to Chrissy to find out a little more about what makes her tick...

 

Q. Tell us a little bit about the business, and what was your inspiration for starting?

A. PURESTUF started 8 years ago. I have always been interested in health and skin care. Through doing lots of research I found just how many chemicals went in to skin care!

My beloved George has always had damaged lips from lots of sailing. I wanted to find just the right lip balm to help him so I made one. He, and other loved ones, tested it for me until we got it right. He has very kissable lips, even till this day, so we named it Kissable Lip Balm! It was making this lip balm that started the whole range of organic products we now sell.

Q. What has been your greatest/proudest achievement so far?  

A. Having Purestuf used in Solar Springs Retreat because we where there when the idea first came to me that I could make Lip balm for George. 

Q. What has been your most difficult challenge, and how did you overcome it?

A. Having created a organic range, the most difficult challenge is getting people to believe it is SO much better than normal skin care. We over came it by getting them to try it for themselves, which helps them realise how great it is.

Q. What makes you smile, laugh, feel good? What brings you happiness?

A. Getting excited comments from clients who love the product and tell me they will never use anything else again, or who find that a long term skin problem being helped by one of the products.

Q. What is the nicest ‘Random Act of Kindness’ that you have done or that has been done for you?

A. I gave Purestuf to a women’s shelter.

So much kindness has been shown to me - a recent one was a stranger giving me a lift home on a hot day.

Q. Which 5 words best describe you? (Only positives here please!) 

A. Fun; generous; stylish; caring; aware.

Q. If you had to describe your business as a ‘person’, in 5 words it would be:

A. Great service, trustworthy, integrity, environmentally sound, pure.

Q. Is there a charity/cause close to you, and if so why?

A. Kiva (the micro loan charity) is something we are proud to be a part of -  we give loans to under privileged people in other countries who want to start a little business.  We always get the money payed back too, so we can then help others.

Q. Which 5 people (living or dead) would you most like to sit down to dinner with, and why? 

A. Daniele Ryman - aroma therapist. I'd love to know what she knows!

Louise Hay - a wise wonderful woman

Deepak Chopra - I've read everything he has ever written

Wayne Dyer - same reason, he's a wise man

Barack Obama - what a man 

Q. Your mother/father always told you:

A. That I could do any thing I set my mind to.

Q. Biggest inspiration:

A. The Body Shop (in the beginning, not now!)

Q. If you weren’t in this line of work, instead you would be:

A. A healer

Q. Greatest lesson learnt?

A. To let go and be in the moment and know all is how it should be.

Q. Where did you grow up? What was the best part of growing up there?

A. Kent, in England. The best part of growing up there was all the changes that the 60s brought.

Q. Best advice you’ve ever been given:

A. Let go and let God.

Q. Favourite movie and/or book:

A. Harry Potter

Q. Favourite place/way to relax:

A.Here in our new home in Bowral (NSW, Australia).

To check out the great range of Purestuf products that make beautiful birthday gifts, Christmas gifts or anniversary gifts for both men and women, click here.

Start 2012 inspired with the People & Planet Social Justice and Environment Calendar and Diaries


The images in both the calendar and diary were selected from over 4000 entries across 84 countries. Each beautiful image is accompanied by its own, unique story about one of the social or environmental challenges our planet faces today.

The Calendar contains 12 breathtaking and inspiring images of people and places across the globe and includes national and social environmental awareness days, UN International days and weeks and Australian holidays- making it the perfect gift for a loved one with a passion for just causes.

The Diary is comprised of 54 breath-taking images from around the world. National and social environmental awareness days, UN international days and weeks and Australian holidays are already printed on their appropriate date and a list of state-by-state public holidays and school term dates is included so you can plan holidays, vacations and outings with ease and clarity.

A unique yet practical gift for professionals, busy mothers, amateur and professional photographers, globe-trotters or those with an environmental and humanitarian spirit. Both the calendar and diary are certified 100% Carbon Neutral, printed on recycled paper and use over 90% soy-based inks so the greenie in you can feel good about staying organised.

Start the year fresh and inspired with a People & Planet Calendar or Diary while also supporting organisations that are championing a just and sustainable world to live in.