What does it take to build one of the world’s most loved ethical brands without losing your principles?

In this episode, I sit down with Rowena Bird, co-founder of Lush, to talk about the 30-year journey of growing from a small shop in Poole to a global retail brand with over 900 stores worldwide. Rowena shares how Lush has managed to scale without outside investors, why they’ve never compromised on values, and what it really takes to stay true to your ethics in business.

From selling stock at car boot sales to opening flagship stores on Oxford Street and donating over £100 million to grassroots charities, Rowena’s story is proof that a business can thrive by doing good. We discuss the lessons she’s learned about scaling slowly, building a family-run business, and choosing people and partnerships based on trust rather than profit.

She also opens up about Lush’s bold decision to leave social media, their commitment to fair trade and cruelty-free products, and how innovation continues to shape their future with concepts like Lush Hair Labs and safe hair dyes.

This episode is a must-listen for founders, ethical entrepreneurs, and anyone questioning whether you can stay true to your principles and still build something big.

Key Takeaways

Grow with control. Scale step-by-step so you always understand your business before expanding.

Hold your values firm. Never trade ethics for margin. Protect your principles, even when it costs more.

Choose people over profit. Work with partners you like and trust. Strong relationships sustain a business.

Stay innovative. Keep experimenting with products and experiences that align with your mission.

Make impact part of business. Lush has donated £100 million to grassroots charities while remaining profitable.

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