An interview with Julie Mathers, Flora & Fauna Founder & CEO
Having founded Flora & Fauna after years of working in retail and seeing things being done the wrong way, Julie Mathers poured all her energy into building an ethical and sustainable business that truly aligns with her principles.
We caught up with Julie about her journey creating the eco-friendly online retailer, her favourite Boody styles and why Boody is the perfect fit for Flora & Fauna.
Hi Julie! Tell us a bit about why you founded Flora & Fauna and what the company is all about.
I founded Flora & Fauna in 2014 after working in retail for a very long time. I'd worked for all kinds of retailers all over the world and I'd seen lots of things that were done well and lots of things that needed to be improved.
Caring for our planet and community was top of the improvement list. Retailers didn't and still don't, think enough about packaging, waste, sourcing, diversity, the community or how products are made. It was a problem that had existed for years and I wanted to do something about it. I decided to create Flora & Fauna to be that better business and really lead the way when it comes to ethics and being responsible.
We launched in November 2014 as a cruelty-free beauty store with 500 products and 30 brands – we're now 8000+ products and over 300 brands with an amazing community who support us and really push us every day to be better. We are driven by purpose and values and that's our point of difference – we make every decision based on these first and foremost. We will never be swayed from our values.
You guys source the best ethical, eco, organic and vegan products out there. Tell us about your huge range.
Thank you! Our purpose is to help everyone make better choices and so we are constantly sourcing products to help us do just that. Whether it be skincare that is vegan, not tested on animals, has natural ingredients, but also is exceptional quality or makeup that is refillable we have lots of different products. Our range spans beauty, home, baby, sustainable clothing and some food and health. Everything is vegan and cruelty-free.
We work hard at sourcing and for the last six years, I have done all the buying so I have a lot of knowledge in my head around ingredients and certifications. I'm now finally relinquishing responsibility to our new buyer which is exciting for us at Flora & Fauna.
We're thrilled that Boody is stocked on Flora & Fauna. What is it about our brand that makes us the perfect fit?
We are delighted to have Boody in the Flora & Fauna Family. Our customers are actually our best buyers and they are thrilled Boody is now at Flora & Fauna. Our ethics align and it starts with the people. Having great partnerships is really key to us so we grow together and drive change together.
Following on from that, Boody's products are fantastic and so, so comfortable. There's no plastic packaging and, what people don't see, is that there isn't plastic packaging in the orders we receive either. Plus the sourcing is incredibly responsible and Boody really goes to the greatest heights here. It's a match made in heaven really.
Do you have any favourite styles from the Boody range?
I am a huge fan of the Boyleg Briefs; they are so, so comfortable. I also love the cushioned ankle socks as they don't slip and I'm always in runners of some description so they’re perfect to wear with them.
Sustainability is important to both Flora & Fauna and Boody. In what ways can our community live a more eco-friendly life?
Less is more! There are lots of things you can do like composting, recycling with REDcycle and us at Flora & Fauna, shopping local and reusing and refilling. However, it's quite overwhelming for people around what to do first so my suggestion is to think less.
Choose to buy veggies not in plastic and locally and choose to buy what you need – a third of all food is wasted and ends up in landfill – it's a huge contributor to greenhouse gases. Think smaller and get crafty i.e. perhaps start making a few of your own things whether that is making your own cleaning products, growing your own veggies or making your own dishcloths from old t-shirts.
2020 has been a challenging year for most. In what ways have you seen your life shift, both on a personal and professional level?
2020 has been a hugely challenging year. From a business perspective, we have overhauled how we work and I am so proud of my team for getting behind the changes, delivering them and being so, so positive throughout. I am incredibly proud of the team I work with. Lots of us work flexibly and the warehouse now runs on two shifts to allow the team the space they need. We have really pulled together through this.
Personally, I have had a baby in the middle of all of this so in May I gave birth to my second little boy. I now have two little boys, 15 months apart and my focus has been on protecting them so we have stayed at home and really ensured they are ok and get plenty of mummy and daddy time. It makes Zoom calls interesting, too!
What are your plans for Flora & Fauna in the near future? Anything exciting on the horizon?
It's so hard to plan currently with everything up in the air – we're living day to day. Right now we're focused on getting through the next few months and we're also recruiting so we can bolster the team and I can spend a little more time with my babies.
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Interviews
An interview with Kea Leora Kenney, Founder of Live Your Love
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Interviews
An interview with Laura Kelly, Yoga Teacher
If there’s ever been a time to get into yoga and meditation, it would be 2020. From the devastating bushfires at the start of the year to the on-going pandemic, it’s so important to stay present. One person who knows a thing or two about mindfulness is Laura Kelly, yoga and meditation teacher. From her spiritual journey to her favourite Boody picks, read on to get to know Laura Kelly in our interview. You're a trained yoga teacher. How did that come to be? Mine is quite a common tale, I think. I was working long hours in a successful but stressful corporate job and really felt like I needed to slow down. My yoga practice had become my biggest support in coping with stress and I initially started looking at yoga retreats but realised I needed more than a week off! I actually ended up leaving my job without a plan but found a teacher training in Bali that really focused on teaching yoga philosophy. 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Interviews
An interview with Seyi Rania, Natural Beauty & Wellness
Been meaning to give your beauty products an organic and eco-friendly overhaul? Seyi Rania has got you covered. With a deep knowledge of natural beauty that doesn’t compromise your health and wellness, Seyi knows which products are good not only for your skin – but for the planet, too. But that’s not all Seyi is about. She’s also a talented mental health counsellor, a gorgeous model and a dedicated Boody fan. We can’t get enough of her! We caught up with Seyi to talk everything from natural beauty to her fave Boody styles. Hey Seyi! How did your love for natural beauty, health and wellness come about? My wellness journey began in 2011 when my beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer. I was only 19 at the time. Following her death, I began questioning why and how my mother developed such a horrible disease… so I did my research and came across many articles detailing potential links between environmental toxins and cancer. I also began attending workshops and lectures to learn more about organic health. Since researching, I am shocked to learn the nasties/chemicals that are found in everyday conventional products and the impact it's potentially having on our health. Now that I know what I know, I have completely turned my back from conventional toxic products and use products (when possible) which are safe to use on my skin and safe for the environment. Did you know the body absorbs up to 60% from what's put onto the skin? Very scary! Tell us about your favourite organic beauty products. Goodness me, this is a tough question! However here are my all-time favourite beauty products I use weekly and can’t live without: Kora Organics Turmeric Brightening & Exfoliating Mask + their Noni Glow Face Oil Lavera Sensitive Facial Moisturiser BODILAB Green Tea + Chamomile Face Mask Vayda Organics Facial Cleansing Oil What is your morning and evening beauty routines? I like to keep my skincare routine simple. I suffer from acne oily prone skin so I have a routine that targets this skin type. I do not believe in undertaking a 10 step routine to achieve glowing healthy skin! In the morning: I use the Lavera Gel cleanser + Sensitive facial moisturiser If I feel like I need it e.g. haven’t had enough sleep or my face is looking a bit puffy, 1-2 times a week, I apply a few drops of facial oil to my face then use a jade roller/Gua Sha to bring circulation back into my face. I find that I look less tired and more bright-eyed when using this technique! In the evening: Again I cleanse and moisturise, however, my evening routine can vary depending on what my skin needs. Twice a week I like to use an exfoliation mask (like the Kora Organics product I mentioned earlier) followed by a facial oil Once a week or every two weeks I like to use a clay mask followed by a facial oil If I am wearing makeup on the day then I ensure to double cleanser to remove all makeup, dirt and grime then moisturise. Without a proper clean, it will only lead to breakouts. In what ways can everyone live a more healthy lifestyle? I live by a few simple rules: Drink more water Aim for at least 20 minutes of physical activity per day Everything in moderation Practice gratitude and speak kindly to oneself How can we all live a more eco-friendly lifestyle? I think it’s good to question yourself on what you buy/use on a day-to-day basis and be mindful that whatever you buy will eventually end up in a landfill. If what you buy can be more sustainable, recyclable or biodegradable, then this will benefit our planet greatly. To implement more eco-friendly habits, I do the following: Use a KeepCup. I am so strict with myself that if I forget my keep cup then I won’t buy a coffee! Use beeswax wraps instead of glad wrap and reusable ziplock bags as opposed to one use zip lock bags Walk instead of drive if possible Eco-friendly washing liquid In terms of food, buy more fruit/vegetables. Less likely to be wrapped up in plastics and good for you! We hear you're a big Boody fan! What is it about our comfy and sustainable essentials you love? I love the versatility of the essentials in that it is comfortable to wear around the home but also lovely to dress up and wear out during the day. The comfort and durability is also what I love about Boody. When I purchased my first pair of undies and leggings a year or two ago, I was immediately hooked. My essentials/underwear wardrobe is about 60% Boody, however, I am aiming for 90%! I had even reached out to one of the customer representatives to submit a review and I admitted that when I wore the Boody sleepwear for the first time, it was the best night’s sleep I have had. That is comfort guaranteed! Any favourite styles? So many styles I can add here but I really love the Everyday Slip Dress in Black. Perfect for home and to wear out on a warm day. I also really like wearing ¾ sleeve tops with a pair of Boody leggings. My favourite work-from-home attire! And of course, in between meetings and calls with my clients, I like to get out and go for a run. The Boody Active range is really lovely to wear and is durable. Comfort, durability and sustainability are all very important to me. Outside of health and wellness, you are a mental health counsellor. That must be both rewarding and challenging? Absolutely! So I have completed a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical counselling. My experience varies from homeless intake worker, behavioural therapist, NDIS support coordinator and support worker and school counsellor. Right now I am working in the education industry to provide support to students. I love what I do and I love that I can make such a difference. You also do freelance modelling. Is that something you enjoy? I love it so, so much. I have been a model for nine years and it has always been a passion of mine. In the last three years, I was discovered then signed by an agency and now I am represented by JR Management. I have never thought to do it as a full-time occupation but I love that I get a great balance of passions between working in mental health, blogging about all things natural and beauty and doing awesome modelling gigs. Definitely can’t complain! Any plans on the horizon or anything else you'd like to mention? I am always thinking of ways of how I can do more with my beauty blog and spread the importance of natural beauty to all, however, right now I think I am happy where I am. I love that I can make a difference where possible. Though if someone asked me what is my ultimate dream, it would be to have my very own natural organic skincare range! Follow Seyi on Instagram.
