In this episode, I sit down with Carla Oates, founder and CEO of The Beauty Chef, the brand that pioneered the inner beauty movement. From fermenting whole foods in her Bondi kitchen to building one of Australia’s most iconic wellness companies, Carla shares the story of trusting her instincts long before gut health was a trend. We dive into the challenges of staying true to your vision, the hardest lessons she’s learned as a founder, and how her definition of success has shifted over time. Beyond business, Carla opens up about the rituals that keep her grounded, what’s been feeding her soul lately, and the truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry.

• The instinct that led Carla to back gut health before the industry was ready
• Early doubts, resilience, and the turning point where The Beauty Chef became more than just a product
• What the very first kitchen formulations looked like and how hands-on she was
• The hardest “no” she’s had to make as a founder and what it taught her
• How her definition of success and growth has evolved over time
• The one Beauty Chef product that holds a special place for her
• Advice for anyone feeling bloated, burned out, or disconnected and where to start
• Carla’s go-to rituals and hacks that ground her and make the biggest difference
• What’s feeding her soul lately outside of the business
• The truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry

Mentioned in this episode 

Shop the Beauty Chef range here  use code TESS20 for 20% off storewide 😊

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