Laura Rudoe is Founder and CEO of Good Ventures.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
I set up Good Ventures in 2008 as an ethical development company with the mission to create new organic personal care brands that make a difference. Before this I was a Management Consultant and Venture Capitalist and studied for my MBA at Harvard Business School. I was a founding employee of NUDE skincare – and this is where my real passion to start a natural skincare business started.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
I have Romanian heritage and natural and organic living was a huge part of my family‘s lifestyle growing up. As a teenager and into my 20s I suffered from acne and I turned to natural medicine and natural eating as a way of improving my skin and my health.
How did you achieve awareness?
Through PR and word of mouth.
How have you been able to gain funding and grow?
I own the company privately alongside my family. I initially started with a loan from my parents.
What are the key successes?
The business is doing well, we are available nationwide around the UK and the products can be found in over 45 countries. We have won over 100 beauty industry awards and we have achieved B Corp status and are lucky enough to have over 1000 5 star reviews.
What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?
We were a tiny business for about 6 years after I founded Evolve Organic Beauty in 2009. I was not sure that we would ever be successful. There was a lot of trial and error to get the packaging design and business model right. We persevered and eventually we set up our own studio in 2015 and changed our packaging to our current design, which suddenly unlocked a lot of growth for us. Our team is very resilient and creative because of this time.
What are your plans now/for the future?
We want to continue to make products that help people be a little greener in their everyday lives. We plan to do this in the most sustainable way possible and are always looking for better and more efficient ways to do this. We have a robust NPD plan and the team is always looking for new, sustainably sourced ingredients that will help people with their skin.
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Do what you love. Success will follow and money will follow and you will be happiest if you follow your passion and you find your purpose in life.
Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
I believe in establishing long-term relationships with suppliers, customers and of course our employees as well! Investing in these relationships and treating everybody with kindness, compassion and consideration is one of my key principles as an entrepreneur.
Who are the 5 people who inspire you the most and why?
My Romanian mother because of her amazing work ethic and positive attitude
My Romanian grandmother because of her sweet nature and how she was always kind to everyone
Anita Roddick because she was a trailblazer in our industry and I would love to have a fraction of the impact she had on the world
Marcia Kilgore because of her entrepreneurial spirit and all of the successful brands she has founded
My amazing team inspires me everyday by their passion, commitment and hard work.
What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?
“Nothing is impossible. The word itself says ‘I’m possible!'”— Audrey Hepburn
“You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.” — Oprah Winfrey
“Spread love everywhere you go.” – Mother Teresa
What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?
@evolvebeautyuk
