Charity Nichols – Green Tulip
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The Business of Universal Kindness Podcast
Episode 4
Charity Nichols runs her flagship e-commerce store Green Tulip plus several stores and in-real-life business with her husband Will.
In this episode we learn about how she has managed to build a team of people who run the various aspects of her many business ventures and the journey it has taken to grow into a leading eco-shop over the last ten years.
She also shares how the pandemic has affected business and what lessons can be learned from taking opportunities when they arise. You’ll hear...
How her scrunchie making business in the 1980’s prepared Charity to manage multiple online stores today, and how they got ahead of the curve by starting early.
The challenges she faced in the early days to prove that ethical products didn’t mean “hemp slippers” but instead pioneered contemporary, eco-friendly choices.
The lessons she learned from her “big retail” experience that set her up to properly weigh up what products to stock and how to balance profitability with ethical standards.
Charity’s thoughts on packaging and why she’ll stand on her soapbox about reusable straws in plastic sleeves!
Charity reveals yet another business that she runs which used to apologise for reusing packaging but now embrace it, and what simple addition to recycled packaging can elevate a brand.
How a chance encounter with a brand with no distributor created an opportunity to branch into B2B (business-to-business) which has now grown to supplying hundreds of Europe businesses with eco-products.
Her advice for small brands who are excited to get a foot in the door with big retailers - and why that might not be the best decision if cash flow is a concern.
The glimmer of hope that Charity has seen since the pandemic broke out that means good news for more conscious living.
Charity’s two important pieces advice for anyone wanting to start a mission driven ecommerce business.
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About Charity Nichols
After 14 years working for John Lewis in various roles from senior store management to buying and branding Charity set up her own retail business, Green Tulip, in 2007. Green Tulip was launched to show consumers that buying ethically didn't have to mean compromising on style - something that was often considered the case back then! She now runs three retail websites with her small team, as well as sharing a shop with a friend (www.theinneryard.co.uk). In 2008 she and her husband set up Green Pioneer - a business focused on distributing only products that are designed for sustainable living - again something unusual in those days! 11 years on they represent a number of brands and have two of their own label ranges too (A Slice of Green and ReSpiin), selling to retailers in over 25 countries around Europe.
Website: https://www.greentulip.co.uk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greentulipuk/
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