3 eco-entrepreneurial Kiwi women we love right now

3 eco-entrepreneurial Kiwi women we love right now

New Zealand is full of amazing women who are doing equally amazing things for the environment. And to us, these three stand out in particular. 

So excuse us while we take a moment to fangirl, and celebrate their incredible achievements.

Brianne West - Founder and CEO of Ethique

Back in 2012, Brianne found herself growing frustrated with the packaging-and-plastic-obsessed cosmetic industry. So from her Kiwi kitchen, she started Ethique - and the rest is sustainable-beauty history. Along with being a passionate eco-advocate, Brianne is a qualified scientist - formulating all Ethique’s products herself. She’s also started a number of companies in her remarkable career, including our personal favourite; a pet detective agency when she was just eight years old. 

Florence and Chloe Van Dyke - Founders of Chia Sisters

Sisters Chloe and Florence grew up in an entrepreneurial family. So it wasn’t a huge surprise when Chloe founded a drinks company in 2012 - or when Florence joined the business a few years later. Today, from the Chia Sisters headquarters in sunny Nelson, the sisters are busy creating a more sustainable way to do business. Their most recent efforts? Installing solar panels at their factory, and releasing a new product - ‘Bottled by the Sun’ - manufactured using solely solar-power. They were also Nelson’s first company to join New Zealand’s list of accredited living wage employers. So they’re not just caring for the environment, but for their community, too.

Shay Lawrence - Founder of CaliWoods 

Shay is a surfer, traveller, and ocean-lover. During her years spent travelling the world, Shay found it impossible to ignore the human effect on the environment - with plastic and debris turning up almost everywhere she went. She became passionate about making a difference, and channeled that passion into creating CaliWoods. Since launching just a couple of years ago, about 250,000 CaliWoods straws have made their way around the country - and their products are now sold in over 300 Kiwi stores. So it’s pretty safe to say Shay’s passion has paid off.


We love seeing Kiwi women smashing it in business. Especially when they’re in the business of creating a better world. So from us - and from the planet - thank you for everything you do. 

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