SD: Who is the Snowberry customer?
SH: We find we talk most often with women who have taken the time to become familiar with skincare ingredients. They know exactly what they want to avoid but also demand results.
SD: From a business perspective, how did you start the company?
SH: In some ways I didn't really think I was starting a business. It was more this sense of a mission that I had to fulfill. It became clear that I simply had to create what I couldn't buy. So I found people to help and we developed a plan. It is hugely more complex in many ways than I ever imagined.
SD: How did you choose the manufacturing process?
SH: We established our own formulation laboratory and manufacturing plant because we wanted to retain total control from product development to packaging. Recently we divested the production facility because we found those who specialise in producing are often better at it than us. Now we concentrate on formulation, our research programme in conjunction with the University of Auckland, and our bio-discovery plantation.
SD: Is the packaging environmentally mindful?
SH: Snowberry is a carbon neutral business. We certified with Enviro-mark's CarboNZero because we believe it's our responsibility not to contribute to global warming. We didn't just look to measure the carbon emissions from our manufacturing plant, we sought to certify every single product, from the source of the ingredients in South America or Asia, right through to when the product sits on the shelf in Hamburg or New York. It's a demanding programme but we believe it is what has to be done for us to be true to our philosophy of being environmentally sustainable. For that reason we use only Forest Steward Council certified packaging materials, environmentally approved inks and recyclable polypropylene pumps.
SD: Has New Zealand's clean, green image helped your campaign overseas?
SH: There is no question that New Zealand's image as one of the world's unspoiled places is not only important for Snowberry, but for New Zealand businesses period. We use photography from the McKenzie Country as our signature imagery and it never fails to inspire envy and even awe. The New Zealand environment is something we should all cherish for its own sake and for the sake of our children, but I sometimes wonder if New Zealanders really appreciate what we have. We are damaging it - to our great cost.
SD: What is your vision for the company moving forward?
SH: To create anti-ageing skincare that achieves truly astonishing results.
Find out more at snowberrybeauty.com
Element magazine has 55 Deluxe Sample Collection gift sets to give away. These are valued at $47.00 each and contain six premium products including Nourishing Lite Day Cream, Smoothing Eye Serum, Nourishing Rich Day Cream, Intensive Renewal Face Serum, Cellular Regeneration Night Cream and Instant Deep Cleanser. Enter here.
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