Tell us about Pandoo.
We currently have 3 products in our range and we are in the process of having more in the new year.
At Bat Your Lash, we use a lot of cotton ear buds, mascara wands and lip applicators. Since we are a green salon we decided to make our own tools in bamboo to reduce landfill and help the environment.
What inspired you to start Pandoo?
My inspiration to create the range started when I realised how much waste the beauty industry creates. To be hygienic we had a lot of single use tools such as mascara wands, lip applicators and cotton ear buds. We were using and disposing so much in a day, to know the effects of what plastic does to the environment and our planet was disheartening and worrying. Due to this, I made the decision to swap the tools that I could from plastic to bamboo. What I couldn’t buy I created.
Tell us about your career and background.
I’ve been in the beauty industry for almost 20 years now. As the owner/director of Bat Your Lash I have dedicated the last two years in creating a vegan, cruelty and toxic free, eco-friendly and sustainable salon.
This unique little gem is based around a love story… no not a Romeo and Juliet kind. More like the love for yourself, the planet and our furry friends. I wanted to create a space where you can dream, romanticise and be yourself knowing that you’re supporting a beauty boutique with intent.
Describe a typical work day for you.
Oh boy, it’s a long day, I tell you that! I work six days and almost 70 hours a week. I start my day at 7am, go to work and open the salon and prep for the day. To stay sane and keep myself together (literally) I head off to the gym or go for a walk. I get back to work by 8.30-9am. I treat 6-8 clients a day, somehow I manage to squeeze in reception work, emailing, interviews, meetings, training, delegating and now online Pandoo orders. My day usually ends around 8pm.
How I’m still alive I do not know, but I definitely know why I’m still single. As a relatively new business I would say I’m married to this job. I’m very passionate about what I do and what Bat Your Lash and Pandoo stand for that, so it’s all worth it for me.
I thrive on making a difference… even if its little steps.
What advice do you have for those wanting to start a business?
To have LOTS and LOTS of patience, endurance, resilience, positivity and passion! It’s not going to be easy no matter what business it is, there will be a lot of stress, tears and regular drama and set-backs, but that’s normal. Nothing great comes easy. I also think it’s very important to eat well and exercise regularly to help keep yourself together. Coffee definitely helps. Most importantly, you need to love what you do and everything else will fall in to place.
What’s next for you, and Pandoo?
Currently Pandoo has three tools in the range but in the new year we are hoping to add more to it. 2020 will be a big year for Pandoo and looking forward to see what the universe has got for us! Watch this space.
