Why are you so passionate about organic and fair trade personal care products?

If we are going to live on this planet for a hundred more let alone another thousand and more years, we need to figure out a sustainable basis of living.  Organic means using natural sustainable methods of improving soil tilth and health, boosting yields through agroecological principles without petrochemical-intensive fossil-fuel based inputs that pollute our air and water.  Fair trade means respecting the farmers and workers who grow our food and make our stuff, that they received decent prices, wages and working conditions.  We need to be conscious consumers and vote with our dollars for the kind of world we want to live in, and not consume ignorantly, in complicit denial of the polluting exploitative world that kind of consumption and production entails.

We are honoring the environmental and social ideals that my grandfather espouses on our labels by applying them to our spheres of economic influence, by going organic and fair trade.   We know from who and where our materials are coming from, and make sure fair prices and wages are paid.   We make sure our manufacturing processes are sustainable, and that our finished products are biodegradable.  Even our bottles are made with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and recyclable.

What tips do you have for people who want to grow a profitable yet social conscious business?

Be sincere, consistent and practice what you preach.  With today’s access to information on the internet, people can spot fraud easier than ever.  Make sure you have sustainable profit margins that can support the growth of your company, yet still have an attractive price point.  You will need money, and your best bet is savings, friends and family, bank loans, “angel investors,” and formal venture capital sources—in that order. You might even find a grant.  And make sure you really have something great that people want, whether it be products or services, and know your target customer.

Do you follow a specific diet?

I am vegan and try to eat as organic as possible.

What is the number one thing you would recommend to a person who wants to improve their health?

Enough sleep and don’t stress.  But I am guilty of doing neither for sure, so to recommend something that I actually do, exercise frequently and eat plenty of omega-3 rich hemp seed foods.

What are your goals for Dr Bronner?

To honor my grandfather and father, and run this company as a vehicle for positive social and environmental change, and to enjoy myself while I am doing it.

Giveaway!

David & the Bronner family are giving three lucky Live Healthy Simply readers a gift pack so you can see for yourself why their products are so fantastic. To enter simply share this post on Facebook and come back here and let me  know you would like to be in the running. I’ll definitely be packing Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap when we go traveling in September, not long now till the wedding..Ekk!

The competition closes on the 7th August and the winners will be announced on the 10th August in my newsletter. You must be signed up to my newsletter to claim your prize. Australian residents only.

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Interview: David Bronner – Dr Bronner’s Magic Soap My Interview: Relauncher Interview + Giveaway Jason Smith – Author of Get Yourself Back in Motion Interview: Nicole Janaye – Muddy Footsteps