Not only do I think it’s important to treat you body right, but I also believe it’s important to treat Mother Earth right. Personally, I love find eco-friendly brands because they are creating with a purpose and mission. That’s why when I stumbled upon Sophie Mulheran Designs, I knew I had to have her on my blog! Grab a kombucha and read on about this eco-friendly brand!
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Tell us a little about yourself Sophie!
Sophie: Hey! My name is Sophie and I’m 22 years old! I grew up in Brisbane on a 5 acre property and still live here today! I’ve always had an extreme passion for the outdoors and everything creative and as I’ve grown older, I discovered a way that I could merge my two passions into one! Sustainable and ethical homewares, stationery and gift ware! I’ve been a gymnast and gymnastics coach for the majority of my life but have recently transitioned into an entrepreneur in a completely different industry!
I just ADORE your products! Let’s learn more about your company.
Sophie: I have been planning my business Sophia Mulheran Designs for more than 3 years now but I officially launched in August 2017. My business is still in the beginning stages but my goodness, I’ve come so far already!! The reason I started my business is because I want to design beautiful things that not only take care of our environment but that also give back to our community in many ways. I’ve also worked for many “bad bosses” over the years and for the first time in a long time, I literally leap out of bed, excited for the day ahead and the amazing things I’m going to achieve.
Can you tell us a bit more about what you create and how is it made to be so eco-friendly?
Sophie: I sell a variety of unique, beautiful, sustainable and ethical homewares, stationery and gift ware. Everything is designed by me, 99% of my products are handmade and everything is produced in Australia. A few reasons that my business is so sustainable and ethical are:
• Maintaining a plastic free business (no plastic products or packaging
• Using 100% recycled or responsibly sourced paper
• Using recycled materials in as many products as possible
• Donating a large percentage of profits to Ocean Crusaders, an organisation who works tirelessly to clean our oceans clean and educate the public
• Planting trees to offset carbon emissions
Why is it important to YOU to be eco-friendly?
Sophie: We’ve only got one Earth! If we don’t start taking action and owning responsibility for our excessive amounts of waste, we’re going to ruin the one chance we had to reverse the detrimental effects we’ve had on our precious environment and wildlife. It frustrates me to no end when people make careless decisions or are so oblivious to the negative impact they’re making. Some of my favorite things are op-shopping and giving second hand items another chance at life (and it’s also like a massive treasure hunt) and I’m so thrilled that plastic bags will be illegal in Queensland by June 2018. It’s a change we needed to make a long time ago and I’m hoping the rest of the world will follow suit.
What inspired you to take action?
Sophie: I’m inspired by the environment around me. I’ve personally grown up in the outdoors with a love for climbing trees, hiking, camping and cuddling animals. It’s my upbringing that has given me this extreme love for our environment and the wildlife in it. I currently live in a two room shack (one for the bedroom and the other as my office), surrounded by trees and tangling vines. I’m constantly visited by all kinds of wildlife and have the warm sunshine streaming in through the window every morning. Fresh air and greenery are two of my favourite things and I want to protect that! My lifestyle today definitely reflects my sustainable and ethical values and I hope it inspires others to do the same.
Where do you expect to take your company in 2018?
Sophie: I’ve got an unbelievable amount planned for 2018! Besides working on making business more sustainable and ethical overall, I’ve got a million and one exciting ideas and a few special events! Keep an eye out for me at the Southbank Collective Markets and the Boonah Sustainable & Ethical Markets! For my one year business anniversary, I’m also planning an incredible art exhibition so if you’d like to attend, make sure you stay posted!
Any other words of inspiration you want to share?
Sophie: For anyone else wanting to start their own business, I support you 110%! We need more dreamers, believers, achievers and go-getters! Believe me, there’s hundreds of late nights, a few heartbreaks and endless hard work but coming from experience, it is all completely worth it! A year ago from today, I would never have believed that I’d come this far already. Chase your dreams and don’t let the haters get you down!
Such a fun interview and i love her work. Those plates are incredible!
Keep functioning ,remarkable job!