Selling sustainable partyware – with Ciara Westhead – Pico

Vicki Weinberg: 00:00:08

Welcome to the Bring Your Product Ideas To Life Podcast, practical advice, and inspiration to help you create and sell your own physical products. Here's your host Vicki Weinberg. Hello today I'm talking to Ciara from Pico Party. So Pico brings sustainability to all occasions with her current focus on children's events. So what Ciara sells is sustainable party wear, and we had a really great conversation about why she chose to start a business selling these products. Um, some of the issues around sourcing them. What a sustainble party even is, um, Yeah, we covered all kinds of things. I was super, super impressed, um, with everything that Ciara shared and everything that she's done and her vision for the company, um, because it's still a relatively new company and yeah, I was super impressed and inspired by all that Ciara has achieved and all that she plans for the future. So I really hope you feel as inspired by this conversation as I did. And I'd now like to introduce you to Ciara. So hi, Ciara. Thank you so much for being here.

Ciara: 00:01:11

Oh, no worries. I'm really happy to be here. I'm really excited.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:01:14

Oh, excellent. Me too. So can we start with you, please give an introduction to yourself, your business and what you sell.

Ciara: 00:01:21

Yeah. So I'm my name's Ciara, I'm the founder of Pico. Um, and what we sell in a nutshell is sustainable children's party products. So we started just over started trading just over three months ago. Um, but Pico has been in the making for just over a year. I first had the idea, um, start of April last year. Um, and basically why I started it was, I was really shocked about the lack of sustainable party products in the market. Um, and I really wanted to create a company that was, you know, also enjoying life. So having the parties, having these special occasions, um, but also kind of thinking of the planet at the same time. So all our products are completely plastic free and that's plastic free in the product and the packaging, because I used to get quite frustrated when I would order a paper party product and it would come wrapped in plastic. Um, so that's something that's really important. And the beginning of the life, the products have thought about. So they've either been made from recycled materials or from FSC paper. Um, tried to keep everything as in house in the UK as possible to reduce the emissions. Um, And also that afterlife has been carefully thought out. So, you know, making sure that these products can either be reused or recycled or either home composted as well. So I'd say that's in a nutshell what we do.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:02:46

Oh, that's amazing. Thank you. And I was about to ask you what sustainable partyware was so thank you for explaining that as well. Because that's really useful because, um, I wasn't sure if everyone would you sort of know what that term meant. Um, so could you maybe what might be nice if you can give us like, um, an example of some of your products, because obviously I've had a really good look at your website and your range, but not everyone has mm-hmm um, so what examples of apart from, um, the sort of paper plates and cups, what are some of the other products that you have.

Ciara: 00:03:13

So, what we started with is three ranges. So I'm starting with children's products. Um, I, the reason why I did that is I come from a really big family. So I'm constantly surrounded by cousins. Um, and you know, most children do have, um, a birthday party. So we started with three ranges, which are dinosaur, under the sea and safari. Um, and we've started with tableware set. So in the tableware set, you get a place mat, you get the.,get the cups and you get napkins, and that's all included in the Pico party table set. Um, and they've been designed, really lucky, I've got a very close friend of mine who's an illustrated designer. Um, so she has designed all the products. Because another thing that I found with the market was there was, you know, few sustainable products, but the ones that were sustainable were quite boring and brown and you know, there's nothing wrong with that, if that's the kind of viable theme that you're going with for your party, but I wanted to create really great looking party products that, um, are stand out, um, but also have that sustainable aspect to them. So as well as like the tableware sets, we've also got like paper decorations, again, these paper decorations, we've got like garlands, we've got like honeycomb balloons. Um, I love the honeycomb balloons because they're shaped like balloons. Um, but they don't, but they, um, they're not actual balloons. And then we've also got the honeycomb balls as well. So it's, you know, small to start with we're only three months, but I really want to expand the range further. I'm already talking about what next tableware set we're going to add on. Um, and then hopefully, you know, I think the next year stay within children's parties, but then hopefully start to expand the ages even, even further to all different occasions.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:05:02

Oh, thank you so much for explaining that. And I'm glad you talked about the honeycomb balloons, because they're my personal favorite as well from your website. Because I just think they're so clever. Yeah. And the fact that I guess you can fold them flat again and then bring them out. Um, I really, I really like that and that's something I've been trying to do myself it's sort of buy a birthday banner, but you know, without an, an age on it. So you can just bring out the same one every year. And I think that's quite nice as well because it hopefully as well as being sustainable, it will like for families create traditions. If they always get out the same birthday banner or bunting or whatever it is, I think that's, it's a really nice thing to have.

Ciara: 00:05:39

Yeah, no, I a hundred percent agree and it's, you know, that reusable aspect. So at the moment, you know, we have to stock the paper decorations, but all of them are really good quality. So it means that like I've used some of the honeycomb balloons, you know, multiple times. Um, you just, as long as you're not like ripping things up and so forth, but you can, if you are careful, you can re-use them. Um, but you know, one occasion then another occasion, which is really, really great. Um, and yeah, like with the happy birthday banners, things like that, that's something we're looking to add. So then you can put it in the draw and then you can have it out. So you don't have to keep, I think we do have this culture of like, okay, it's a new party, it's a new event. We need to buy a new thing. But actually I think we really do need to change. And it's ging to take time. And I think even for myself, you know, um, you kind of have that culture of like, I need to buy a new thing for a new party. Like you need to buy a new outfit. Um, but trying to change that kind of mindset and trying to, you know, buying once and buying something that's, you know, fairly good quality and then you can keep it for years to come.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:06:41

Yeah. And I think as well, it probably is cheaper in the long run to do as well, um, when you think of like cost per use, I'm sure that if you are taking care of that, you know, you've got a nice banner and you're taking care of it and you're using it, you know, year after year, it does become cheaper than buying sort of cheaper once, you know, one time use things every year or every couple of times, you know, whatever, however, often you have events. Um, I definitely think it works out cheaper in the long run as well.

Ciara: 00:07:11

Oh yeah. A hundred percent. And it's like, if you have something, like you said, that's a sentimental thing that you, you bring it out for every party, you can keep that from years to come. If it's something that's, you know, good quality and then you can pass it on, say to your child and then their child, and then they can keep it. It's a nice tradition to have. Um, so yeah, I completely agree with.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:07:30

Definitely. So I think your sort of inspiration and your vision for Pico is so, so clear, Ciara. Um, but how did you go from that to actually setting up your business? So you mentioned you had a friend who helped you with, um, the actual illustrations, but I guess there's so much else that goes alongside it. Um, I guess, and a big part of that, and I don't wanna preempt anything you're going to say. Be sort of finding suppliers that can deliver on your vision as well. So do you mind talking this through, so you, you came up with the idea and then, um, where you took it from there?

Ciara: 00:08:02

Yeah, definitely. It was a long process. Um, so like I said, I started thinking about Pico in April of last year. And then, um, we launched in February of this year. So, I guess the reasoning behind Pico in a nutshell is, as I've mentioned before I come from a really big family. So my dad's one of 10 and my mum's one of four. Um, and I was constantly going to these, you know, uh, parties and it was just the, these products that were completely plastic. And I was just like, why is there, that's shocking that, is there nothing out there? Um, And to give you a bit more back of context. I, my last year of uni, I did quite a few modules on like ethics and sustainability in the circular economy. So it really kind of got my interest and I tried to be more sustainable and all my approaches. So it kind of just started out as me looking for products. Like I was like, let, I'm going to look for sustainable party products. And I was really shocked. I was like, there isn't really much out there. There was maybe a few companies that had like a small, sustainable range that was again, quite boring and nothing really that exciting. Um, and I was just like, is there not one company? Like their focus is about making, um, party products more ecofriendly and I just really couldn't find anything. So then I probably spent. Like two, three months really researching the market, looking at what the competitors were doing. Just really making sure that there was nothing out there. Not that it may would've stopped me, but just if there's someone already doing it really well, um, maybe it would've, you know, stopped me from doing it, but I just couldn't find anything. And then the more I started to do it, the more I kind of became obsessed with it. Um, so getting up really early, you know, working a full-time job, but then getting up at 5:30 to do Pico in the mornings and then Pico in the evenings. And I obsessed, I think in a really good way, you know, I, sometimes it was hard because I was working on out, but like, I just really enjoyed doing it and I really wanted to, you know, change, change the party industry. Um, so, and then in terms of like getting a supplier. Suppliers. It was hard. It was tough because, and then I started to realize maybe why there wasn't anyone in the UK doing it. Because it actually was really hard to find suppliers. Um, so traditionally with the party industry, um, and the kind of companies out there at the moment, they get everything from China. So they have one manufacturer in China and that manufacturer does their plates, their cups, their, you know, garlands does everything so they can make sure everything kind of looks, um, you know, united, um, and it's well as just easier, they can go to the supplier and just be like, can you get this done? I really didn't want to do that. I wanted to keep things more inhouse ,close to the UK, um, just to save on the admission costs and, you know, really to try to keep that sustainability aspect, but all times in all the products. So instead of going to one supplier, I had to go to multiple suppliers for different products. And that was tricky. I remember. I probably spent about five, six months just trying to find a supplier. And it was tough. Like I couldn't, it was, I couldn't find really ones at times that could do what I wanted. Like there would be sometimes that I would find one that could do what I wanted, but they wanted a hundred thousand minimum order quantity. And that was, you know, a huge investment for me at the beginning when I, I, I didn't really have the capital to do that. And I also didn't want to be investing in this huge stock and then not selling it and then having to pay for, um, you know, somewhere to, um, keep the stock. So it was a struggle. It really was, but I'm really glad I didn't give up because then I did find suppliers who could do what I needed and it's still, I would say not perfect, but it's definitely closer to what I want it to be. So for example, the place mats are made in the UK. And so the cups, um, and the napkins are made, um, in, in Germany. So again, it could be UK, but there was no one in the UK that actually could print napkins that I needed. Um, but that's something to think about for the future. You know, how I can bring that more in house, maybe making the napkins in house. Um, so yeah, trying to keep everything as close to the UK as possible. Um, but also having that sustainability aspect and the way the products are made and what the materials are made for. So, yeah, it was a struggle. It was. Um, but I think it worked. It. I kind of got there and I think the more I'm actually in Pico, actually, I have people reach out to me now, suppliers, which kind of blows my mind because before I was always trying to reach out to them. Um, so I think as we go, my aim is to just keep adding more products and really keep that sustainability, that ecofriendly aspect to them at all times. And I think we're just starting and I think there's so many more things that we can do. Um, But, you know, I think it's going to take time to get to, you know, make it even more eco-friendly as possible.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:13:05

Yeah. I, I think I, I definitely agree that I'm sure that as the, you know, years go by, you will be doing more and then things will change. But I had to say I'm really impressed because I know you say it's taken a long time, but really, and just over a year, you've done a huge amount. Um, and. Yeah, I really resonated what you were saying as well about sort of getting up early and doing a couple of hours before you started your day. And I think that's just sometimes the way it has to be, and I'm really glad that you got where you needed to be in the end. And just, uh, when talking about the suppliers. So how were you finding them? Because I think that's something people might be interested in is, you know, were you just using Google or were you going to trade shows? What were. What were you doing?

Ciara: 00:13:47

So I didn't actually go to any trade shows, but I think that would've been something that could have been a good idea. Definitely. It was Google, but you know, not just, I was saying not just aimlessly kind of Googling and, you know, just looking, I had like a really detailed spreadsheet, just making sure, you know, every time I've contact probably, maybe 20 suppliers one morning. And then every time they got back to me, I would then comment if they couldn't do it or if they could, um, and making sure that, you know, I wasn't just reaching out to the same one twice. Um, but also, you know, talking to other suppliers. So. You know, if maybe one supplier can't do what you, you want. Um, just asking them, do you have any recommendations? You know, they've been in the industry normally for quite a long time. Um, and that seemed to kind of help as well, but yeah, it was Googling, um, was my main kind of way of, um, finding them.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:14:39

Uh, yeah, I do think that's underestimated. Sometimes when people ask me how to find suppliers and I say, Google, I think people think maybe there's more to it than that, but Google in a, in a spreadsheet is how I've always done it as well. And, um, I don't know whether you found the same Ciara, but something that I would add is, I always found that you had to go beyond page one of Google. You had to go deeper into the searches than you would if you were doing like a regular search in your day to day life. Like sometimes the supplier you need might be on page four or page five, which most of us let's face it don't go that far. Um, but I found that sometimes there'd be a great supplier, but they're a really small company based, you know, somewhere in the Midlands. And so they're on, they're not on page one of Google, but they are exactly what you're looking for.

Ciara: 00:15:23

Yeah, no, a hundred percent. Uh, I did the same thing like you trolling through, um, Google and also trying to change what you are searching. So maybe it's changing like few words. Um, like I was looking for full coverage napkins, which no one does in the UK. Um, but trying to, you know, type it in, in a different way. When I, before I knew that, you know, it couldn't be UK based. Um, but just changing that search time a little bit. Seemed to help, but yeah, it, it was a, it was a struggle and it, you know, it, it wasn't the funnest thing to do. Um, it was exciting in a sense, because I was like, every time I got closer to finding a supplier, that was exciting. And then I got closer to making Pico, you know, the vision become reality. Um, but it's, I think it's definitely one of those things that. You can't give up because I remember there were points when I was like, I don't know if this is even possible, like I, you know, but I think you have to take, and it sounds so dramatic just trying to find a supply, but that's what I needed to then make Pico, you know, become what it is. Um, But I think, yeah, you just have to like, kind of not give up and just keep looking, um, and just keep reaching out to people. And it will, you know, it, it will happen, which thankfully for me, it did.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:16:40

Yeah. Thank you so much for explaining all of that. Because finding suppliers, obviously one of the most important things, and I personally think it is. Possibly the hardest and not hard in terms of what you have to do, because I mean, it's relatively easy, isn't it? What, what am I trying to say? It is searching and reaching out to people which isn't like a, you know, it's a skill that all of us can do it, but I think what's hard is the fact that it can be quite boring and quite sole destroying. And I like the point you made about trying different search terms in Google as well, because I think often we don't really even know what we are searching for, um, because sometimes searching, like, I don't know, napkin supplier. Um, I, I don't know if you found it the same, but often I think when you do any of these searches, what you end up with is a lot of wholesalers rather than the actual manufacturers. So I think, yeah, learning how to sort of tweak your searches in Google. It's definitely a skill as well. And you do need a fair bit of patience.

Ciara: 00:17:38

Oh yeah. A hundred percent. And I think like I had a lot of supplies say to me, like, why don't you just buy products that were already made? And I was like, no, I want to start something new. I want to, you know, do something fresh. Um, so, you know, and not. You know, sometimes you do need to listen to people and if they have experience a hundred percent, I think do, but sometimes if you're going with your gut feeling like there's so many times people said to me, why don't you just buy some things that are already made and, you know, resell them. And that probably would've been the easy route, but I'm really glad that I didn't, because now we, I think our products are great and they are really unique. Um, and that's kind of the Pico branding and that's what we want to be. And I wouldn't have been able to do that if I had products already in the market.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:18:21

I'm so impressed, Ciara, that you've, how much you've held onto your vision. I just think that's so impressive. And I think it just goes to show that having a really clear vision, I think you, you do get there in the end because you, you, you know, it sounds like you were so like laser focused on this is what I want and this is not what I want. And I, I think that's honestly, I think that's really helped.

Ciara: 00:18:43

Yeah, definitely. It's probably at times when, like, I think my mum's like you put yourself under too much stress because you're like, she's like, you know, but, um, yeah, it's probably it's I think definitely that like going with your gut and, you know. Like I said going with like the vision, that's something that was so important to me and I knew what I wanted to create and I, but then also I not being so naive and just creating something that you want, but actually talking to your target market. So I'm not a mum myself. Um, so probably think quite mad and I'm targeting mums, but I have a lot of mums around me who, my cousins and my aunties, my family. But also going, maybe sometimes they will give me a mission, just that's maybe trying to make me feel better, that actually going to other mums and like I'm constantly when you know, on Instagram or like, um, mum's even just like, you know, talking to like next to a table that I've met asking them, like, what do you think to try and get their feedback? Um, because I they're, the people that, you know, are going to be buying the products. So I really need to, even though I've got this vision and keep it, um, within keep it like in a clear, sustainable, and good looking way, but finding out what they really want and they really need, and making sure that it's products that they actually want to buy as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:19:56

That is such a good point. And I'm so glad you brought that up as well. Because you're right. When you have a clear vision, it can be so easy to get stuck in your vision and not think about people who are buying it. But I guess they are, they're the same, but different also, I guess, because I mean, your vision was, you know, to have products that are sustainable and reusable. Um, but then I guess to other things around sort of how they look and sort of themes and colour. I don't know, colours and, or I guess there's lots of other things that, you know, it's great that your customers are able to give you input on. And, um, yeah, it's brilliant that you were doing that and I can see that from your post that you're still doing that as well. So it's great that you are talking to your customers so much because they will obviously tell you what they need and which will really help inform things going forwards. Um, what I am really interested in as in as well Ciara, is so obviously tradition, I don't wanna say traditional. I think, I guess, I mean, plastic, um, party products we've been around, like, you know, since I was a kid and I'm quite old now, um, you know, like balloons, paper plates that go in the bin and things like that. Um, so, so what I guess is a two part question. So are you finding there's a lot of education you need to do around, you know, why people need to be thinking about more sustainable party products and if so, sort of, how are you addressing that? Because I guess that's quite a challenge that people might not be always looking to buy sustainable. Although I think things are moving in that direction and sorry I'm asking you quite a lot of questions in one. I was trying to think of it more succinct way of saying that.

Ciara: 00:21:32

Yeah, no, no. That makes complete sense. So yeah, I mean, you know, I'm 23 now. Um, but I remember growing up and we had plastic, everything at my party was plastic, you know, party bags, plastic plates, everything was, um, And the more I kind of researched into, you know, why plastic was an issue was so only 9% of plastics in the UK actually gets recycled. So you put them into the bin. Um, and just the way kind of like our, um, waste infrastructure is that only 9% get recycled, which is huge. And then these plastic items, which we use once, um, take hundreds of years to decompose. And then they also think that in 20, 2050, there's going to be more plastic in the ocean than fish, which is a scary thing as well. Um, and obviously the, the micro, um, oh, forgot the word now. Um, Um, the plastic micro fibre, but that's it. Um, they're going into the ocean and they're going, and then the fish are eating them and then the fish, we are eating the fish. And then also, sorry, I can go into this quite, quite a lot, but, um, also, you know, if you have that plastic in the soil that goes to landfill, and then that goes, that can get into our water system, then we can drink the microfibres. So it's quite a scary thing. I think, to think that, you know, plastic, I know it seems harmless and you use it. That actually, you know, millions of people and millions of people do use these plastic items, then it can cause such like a damaging effect to, um our planet. And I think even though, you know, some plastics are recycled just because of the way the weighting structure is, it, it doesn't, it doesn't actually get recycled. So trying to move away completely from the plastic products. And as I said earlier, you know, plastic free in both the, um, product and the packaging. So, not just having like a paper product actually then having the packaging, um, be made tissue paper as well. So, um, it doesn't have the plastic aspect and I'm, I'm not, you know, saying plastic as like the worst thing ever, but I definitely want for me and the research that I've done, it doesn't feel right having any plastic in the business. Um, but also I know that paper, you know has its challenges as well. Um, paper is more likely to be recycled. And then if it went to landfill, it takes less, it takes a few weeks to decompose rather than a few years. Um, so that's why going more down the, and adding more reusable products is definitely something that, um, I want to consider and I have considered and want to add to, um. So, yeah, that's a nutshell. So I think I went on and waffled there.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:24:16

No, you didn't. That's so interesting. And that fact, I don't know, if you saw my face when you said the facts about, you know, plastic and the fish, I was like, what? That's just scary and yeah. And, and with, um, just, it is something that I don't know. So with paper party products, so I'm thinking plates and cups. Can they be, um, disposed or got rid of? Are, can they, are they biodegradable or are they sort of recyclable? Like you'd recycle cup? Because I think once you, you, you have food on plates, you can't recycle them, is that correct?

Ciara: 00:24:50

Yes. Yeah. And I'm glad you brought it up. Because that is something that, you know, is on my mind actually constantly. So with the cups and stuff, it's fine. You can get rid of the, the drink and you can just put them in the recycling bin. But the cups that we have can also be, so it's quite confusing, but in the UK, we've got home composted and then we've got industrially composted. So industrially composted means that it goes to this waste unit. And it can, it can decompose, but it's done in, in industrial environment. Um, and there is a difference between home composting and industrial composted. Not all products can do both. With, um, our cups they can, they can be home composted. It can also be industrial composted and they can be recycled. I recommend. So we've got like a page, what we recommend to do. Um, I recommend always recycling them because then they can go back and they can be reused and made into new product. So that's what, um, my stance is, but say, if you did get them covered in food or whatever, then you could like cut them up and then literally put them in your compost, um, at home. And that wouldn't be an issue. Um, and similar with the plates. So with the plates, if you have, you know, Some kind of like, you know, like cake or something like that, that hasn't got food all over the cake, all over the plate, then it can be recycled. It goes into this big kind of container. Um, and like the water will kind of get rid of any of the residue and so forth. Um, But if you don't, say you get covered in ketchup and, um, other, you know, other pouring sauces and stuff like that, you can cut up the plates and you can put them again in your home compost. That's not an issue. Um, most household units don't have waste structures that go to industrial composted units. So I, I don't recommend that. Um, or it can go, if you do get food over, it can go to landfill, but it will decompose. In a few weeks instead of a few years, but that's definitely something that's on my mind with the plates, because even though they are better than plastic, I think we can do so much better. And I have don't want to let too much off, but I've got some ideas coming in. Um, you know, the next kind of six to eight months of what we can do. Plate wise. Um, so yes, so watch this space.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:27:16

Oh, that's really exciting. And the reason I ask that is, is because I didn't realize for a long time. So, um, we obviously recycle cardboards, but I didn't realize for a long time if cardboard or paper plates had food on and that they couldn't be recycled. Yeah. Um, genuinely didn't realize that. And then when I did realize that I switched to not recycling them. Um, but that's really interesting what you did at home composting. So thank you. That is a great tip. So I could take leftover paper plates and then put them in the home. That's thank you for that. Because that's, you know, I think when we, when we want to be doing our bit, it's really frustrating when you feel like you can't recycle something, but you sort of, especially when you've bought paper plates, because you want to do your bit for the environment and then you find out that you can't actually recycle them. So that's really useful.

Ciara: 00:28:04

Yeah. Just double check on, um, if you do buy paper plates or so forth, double check, they don't have a PLA lining, um, which is like a plastic lining because if they do, then they can't be home composted. Um, because the piano lines on it. So a lot of paper plates, that was another issue I came across, um, is, and that's why we haven't actually got any branded plates yet. Um, is because I couldn't find a manufacturer. I actually have found one now, which is great, but I couldn't find a manufacturer who didn't have that PLA lining on the um, so yeah, just something to think about. Think sometimes we think all paper plates, but actually if they've got plastic lining on, um, then you know, we wouldn't be able to do that.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:28:46

I had absolutely no idea that was a thing. So I'm learning so much. Um, yeah. And speaking of that, so I guess there's two things. Um, so you mentioned a page. Did, is there something you send to customers when they order from you then to explain how to be and recycle their products?

Ciara: 00:29:02

Yeah, I actually have it. I'll quickly just show you here. It's like a little, um, so yeah, everyone listening, it's like a little kind of leaflet, um, thing, and then they can scan it and it scam me. Um, and it will tell them how to dispose of their products in the correct way. Um, because I think there is a lot of misconception about, but I've got this product what do I do with it? Like I'm constantly thinking that like I'll buy something from the supermarket and I try and buy, you know, zero waste. So I'll try and go more local and not have and go and get my fruit and vegetables. They're not wrapped in plastic, but I'm not perfect. And sometimes I might have to run to the, um, the supermarket to get it. Um, and. You know, sometimes they don't have it on the back, like what you need to do. And it's really frustrating because you're like, well, what do I do with this product now? So I've tried to break it down quite clearly and like how you dispose of each product. And if it's got food on it, how to do it, if it's, you know, not contaminated, then what you can do with it. Um, and most people might know, but I just thought that sometimes, you know, you don't know and you can kind of be looking and it's kind of teaching and educating. What's the right thing to do. Um, so yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:30:10

Absolutely. And you're right. I think a lot of people don't always know. I mean I've certainly been in that situation where I've looked at something and thought, can I recycle this? Can't I recycle it. And then obviously the rules for where you everywhere you live can be quite different. So where we live, for example, we can't recycle, you know, like Tetra pack, um, like imagine you get, um, I'm thinking we have oatmeal and it comes in these cartons. Yeah. I think in some places you can recycle them, but we can't recycle them. Um, and I think when it's, when it's confusing for people, when they're like, what bin does this go in? And can I recycle this? Or what do I do with that? Um, it just makes it less likely that people are going to do it, I think because it's just not as easy.

Ciara: 00:30:50

Oh, definitely. And I think we definitely have an, um, an issue in the UK because every council is different. So confusing. Like it took me when I was researching for Pico. It took me months to kind of work out what I, what you could do with these products and the difference between, like I said, industrial composting and normal composting and the different waste units that, um, different councils have. And I think you know, you have to take a long, like I took a long time researching this and a lot of people, fair enough to them, maybe haven't even thought about it or just don't have the time to, um, you know, so it, it is confusing. And I think we definitely, as, um, as a country, we have to get better because if we could get smarter and more efficient in it, I think it could be so much better, um, and really help to like reduce our waste as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:31:39

Definitely. And coming back to the sort of education around, around this, um, are you finding, you're having to do lots of education before people buy from you? So lots of posts and talking about the benefits of buying your products versus traditional plastic ones, or are you finding that people are generally already pretty brought in.

Ciara: 00:32:02

I think, yeah, people are quite excited. The one, two things that I really wanted to have because is, you know, the, the eco friendly sustainable side and, you know, have that really strong that's like at our core, also have these really great looking products that, you know, people don't feel like, oh, I'll buy from them because they're sustainable. But actually like, oh no, I'm going to buy from them because their products are actually great. Like they've got, they look great. They've got that, um, ecofriendly aspect. Like, that's why I want to, so. It's like almost, you know, it's a really great benefit. They are sustainable, but they still want to purchase these products. They look great. Um, so, you know, there is a bit of an educational piece, but most people I've spoken to really like that, um, aspect of it. Um, and most people really like the designs as well. Um, which has been great. Um, So, yeah, I'd say a little bit, but mostly people are, are brought in. Definitely. Yeah.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:32:57

Thank you for answering, I was just really curious. I, and I think you're right, actually that I'm seeing just myself, just when I go and, and look a lot more products now do seem to. Be going that way. Anyway. So for example, um, if you went on Amazon and you searched for party bags, I, I, I wanna say that the first, however, many, but first page of results are all paper. I'm fairly sure that when I last looked, they were all, you know, paper bags, whereas I'm sure 10 years ago, maybe even five years ago, The best selling ones would've all been those plastic ones. We remember when we were kids. So I do think that things are definitely moving that way, which I think is great because it's, I think it's always harder when you're having to sort of explain to people why they need your products. But I think, yeah, it sounds like that isn't needed, which is, I think it makes it a lot easier starting point.

Ciara: 00:33:52

Hmm. And I think so. I just want to like mention as well. It's like, I think definitely with sustainable products, they are a bit more expensive just because, you know, the route you've had, it's still a newish concept and, you know, plastic and so forth is a cheaper option at the moment. Um, but one thing that I really want is at the moment, you know, I probably say my target markets, people with a bit more money because they can, they can afford, you know, these, um, party products, but I definitely want, as we grow, um, I don't want to be an exclusive brand where it's like, you know, only if you have a lot of money, you can buy the products. I really want it to be a brand that is inclusive and still, you know, keeping that, um, like, um, eco-friendly aspect, but, um, you know, making it a bit, potentially a bit more affordable, um, for everyone. And I think with time as, you know, things go on, hopefully that will happen because, um, the kind of the paper products will come. The unit cost will become a bit cheaper, which will mean that I can, I can do that.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:34:58

Yeah, I really love the vision you've got. Every time you talk about some of your plans. I'm really just think I'm just so impressed. I can't believe that you're 23 and you've got such a clear vision for what you want to do. And I, I don't mean that in a patronizing way. I'm just thinking back to when I was 23. I don't think I was very clear on anything really. So I don't I'm I'm yeah, I'm not trying to patronize. I'm basically thinking back to myself. Um, I certainly, yeah. Yeah, I don't think I felt so strongly about anything. So I'm super impressed and yeah, and I, I wonder as well, whether as things change, whether there'll be more suppliers in the UK who can do what you want, um, as the demand increases, which I think it, it will, um, like you said, I think you, I think, am I right in saying you are the first company to producing products at the moment.

Ciara: 00:35:48

I haven't found any other company that, you know, their main kind of like route of their, like for party products that is, you know, they've got like a real focus on sustainability. If anyone listening has let me know. Um, but I haven't found any, um, yeah in the, in the market at the moment, I think with the UK, one thing that I'm really keen is I think more suppliers will hopefully come to the UK, which, which will be great, but I think maybe bringing it more in house. Um, so making the products actually, you know, I'd love to have, this is another really good vision. I'd love to have, you know, a place that we have. We get all, we make all the products ourselves like in, um, a unit. Um, and, uh, you know, it again, so it's not like we're, we're going all around the country and trying to get, um, trying to get, reduce the emissions even further if we get everything made made in house. Um, so that's, it's, it's it I'm not sure if that's definitely the way it's going to go. It might not be, but that's something that, um, yeah, I would love to do.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:36:48

That makes total sense as well. Um, I can see sort of having everything under one roof. See, that would be a benefit and yeah, yet again, I'm really just blown away by your, by your vision. And I also feel as well, um, that while I think you are, it sounds like you probably are the first or at least one of the first to do this. I don't think you're going to be the last, I think that other companies are going to start following what you are doing, which I think is amazing to be out there ahead, but hopefully as more companies think, oh, actually we could, you know, as more companies maybe spring up or adapt to become more sustainable, hopefully that will change the, the supplier as well. Because I guess manufacturers will then also have to adapt if companies are saying, okay, we are moving away from plastic and we're moving more this way. Um, it'd be really interesting. Um, yeah, I would, I would love to see. Well, hopefully I will be able to see in, so in 10 years time where we are and how much things have moved on. So I really think they will.

Ciara: 00:37:45

Yeah. I mean, I don't think, you know, as a company you can stay in what was before. Um, and I have seen some party companies, you know, trying to change, um, a little bit of their product ranges and so forth, um, to align, to be more eco friendly and yeah, I, I think it's great. Um, Yeah, I think it would, if you stayed thinking, you know, we can just sell everything. I think as well, people have changed, like people's consume like what they want. Like, I think that cheap looking party, you know, like the foil type material, um, I just don't really think people want that anymore either. Like, I think people want something that looks a bit more slightly more premium. Um, so yeah, I think it, you know, as consumers, they are changing as well. So, and I think it is consumer driven that is making, um, these companies change as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:38:40

Definitely. And I wonder as well, if, you know, as not as well as the consumers, I'm assuming that there'll be change legislation around, you know, what products are made from, for example. And I mean, I'm hoping anyway, that things are going to move in a way where it becomes harder for companies to produce products that aren't sustainable when there is a sustainable option. Does that make sense?

Ciara: 00:39:05

Yeah, no, a hundred percent. I mean, I think they're definitely there even there's even talk, you know, like, um, getting rid of like, um, single use plastic and stuff like that. Um, the government has spoken about it, so I think it is coming. Um, and yeah, I welcome it. Um, I think, and I think it's good. Like, I don't, I don't, I'm not naive enough to think I'm going to be the only eco-friendly you know, party business. Um, but I definitely, yeah. I want more businesses to be like that. And I, I think it's great that they, you know, people are thinking business is changing. Um, but I'm also thinking, you know, you need to be careful that these businesses aren't saying they're doing like, you know, greenwashing, they're saying they're doing something really great that actually, you know, they're maybe covering something up, they're doing one thing. That's great, but actually all the other things are not so good. So, and that's where again, we have to do like your kinda like consumer due diligence and that's, that's tricky because you know, you don't have loads of time to be reading up about, um, I mean, I do, I do read quite a lot on, um, like brands and stuff like that, but a lot of people don't, so hopefully I think laws will come in as well where people can't, you know, greenwash and say that something is when, when it's not.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:40:17

Yeah. Um, and actually, would you mind, I mean, I, I know what greenwashing is, but would you mind just explaining for anyone who doesn't please?

Ciara: 00:40:23

Yeah, I don't I don't know if I'm going to get the, um, the definition completely right but, um, it's where a business is claiming to be sustainable or eco-friendly, um, maybe they're saying they're doing one thing, but actually they're kind of deceiving the consumer and, um, they they're maybe doing one thing that's good. Or maybe even not really doing that thing, but then, but then actually in the background are not as sustainable or eco friendly as they're making out.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:40:55

That makes sense. So for example, maybe they're, you know, all their products, the products are sustainable, but they're flying in the, over from China and causing, you know, loads of emissions or something like that.

Ciara: 00:41:07

Yeah, definitely. And they're not being completely transparent. Um, and I think that's really important to be, um, as transparent as possible. Like I've said before, you know, I think we're starting great, you know, um, making the products as standard as possible for what's in the realm, but I think there's still so much more that I can do. And so much that, um, you know, and I'm going to keep pushing to do.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:41:31

Yeah, and I have no doubt that you will, and that you are doing that. And before we finish, I've got, got few more questions. First thing is, are, is there anything around your own sustainability practices that you haven't mentioned? Anything that you are doing, um, or you are moving towards that you haven't talked about? Um, because we know you are not greenwashing us because we can tell that you are definitely really on board. Is there anything we haven't spoken about.

Ciara: 00:41:54

Um, I guess I'm trying to think nothing really. The only other thing is, um, I guess trying to go with, um, I mean, I actually heard this in one of your podcasts before, we do plant a tree with every order, um, just to help, you know, reduce the offset, but at the moment, yeah, that's kind of like, I'd say with how the products are made and, um, yeah, the like life, the afterlife, and trying to keep things close to the UK those are the, the main core things that we have at the moment, but yeah, it's always looking for more ways.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:42:30

I did see the planting about the tree on your website as well. And I just want to make sure I gave the opportunity if you talk about that, if you wanted to. Um, and then finally, and this is the last question I ask everyone Ciara. What would your number one piece of advice be for other product creators?

Ciara: 00:42:45

Oh, yeah, I suppose, um, I would say time, just like give it time because you know, we've only been started for three months, but I am in such a different place to where I was when I first started. And I'm in such a different place to when, before I started, I know so much more now from three months ago and then three months before that I know so much more. And you just have, you know, I think we hear about these overnight successes of people that they start, and that's amazing that they do, they start businesses and they're success straight away. But actually I think, you know, to start a business, you really do need to have time and you also need to have resilience, which I'm sure you know, most founders, um, know about you just, you have to keep kind of going and don't burn yourself out. But give yourself time and really, you know, yeah. I would just say, keep going. And you'll be, if you're stuck in somewhere right now, take a break and then you, you know, take a moment to kind of think everything over and then in. You'll probably look back in three months time and be like, I got over that. And then I'm onto the next hurdle type thing. So yeah, just, I would say give it time, give it time to get orders up and give it time to, you know, learn so much more to get to the next stage. Yeah time Thank you.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:44:13

I think that's really good advice and you're right, because I think it can be really tempting to, I would be really tempting to sort of do thing quickly, or you can get really disheartening that things take time, but I definitely think it's worth spending that time and that's or a lot of the, what am I trying to say? I think there's so much more time upfront than you realize, but it's all the stuff that's really important. Like all the research and the stuff that feels like maybe you're not actually getting anywhere, but I think it's really good groundwork to be doing.

Ciara: 00:44:42

Definitely. Like, I think about it when I was just, you know, sat on my, um, desk, um, every morning and Pico was really just a vision. I remember thinking, is it ever going to become like reality? Like at one point I was like, am I really going to get that? And if I can think of myself a year ago, I, I feel like really, wow. Okay. I did it. Like, it's just the start and there's so much to come and I'm so, so excited about that. But I didn't in a sense, I didn't think I'd be here at one point, but I am. And then hopefully, you know, I've got visions for the next six months and next year, and hopefully I can look back and be like, I actually did get here and, you know, be proud of that.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:45:23

And I think as well that it seems like a long time, but then I meant, I was mentioning big one before we started recording that we last spoke last year. And to me, the time. Which between we last spoke and speaking to you today, when I look at how much you've done in that time, I just go, wow, you've done such a lot in a short space of time. So I think often we are quite hard on ourselves as well, but, um, yeah, whenever you speak to any, any sort of company founder, they've always, always been working on it for much longer than, than you'd think. And actually even a lot of like massive companies now. Um, and I know we are all small businesses like when you even shop to massive companies, they, some of them took like 5, 10, 15 years to actually get to be you know, a household name or in some cases get to be selling anything much at all, really, you know, see any kind of success. So I just think, yeah, we're often quite hard on ourselves, but it really doesn't matter how long it takes does it?

Ciara: 00:46:19

No, I know. And I think that is again, maybe we have, like I said, you know, we, you see things like I even saw things and I was like, oh, but like you see these overnight success stories and all these kind of things, but most, I don't think most companies actually it does happen like that. Um, so yeah, don't be disheartened. That if, you know, I would say don't be hard if you haven't, if that doesn't happen for you, because yeah. There's so many companies that it didn't happen, but they have been huge successes, but it's taken time. So yeah. Just give it time.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:46:50

Yeah. I think overnight success is actually a myth and, um, I'm pleased if anyone wants to prove me wrong on that, that's fine. But I would say nine times, that's, it's a myth. And that actually that overnight success has probably been working away quietly for much longer than any of us realize.

Ciara: 00:47:05

Yeah, I agree. Agree. But yeah. Let us know anyone if, um, prove us wrong.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:47:09

Yeah, I'm sure I will be proven wrong on that. Um, well thank you so much Ciara it was so lovely to talk to you. Thank you so much for all you shared. As I, as I said, I'm just so impressed by your vision and by everything you've achieved and everything that's to come as well. Because I've got a feeling that, yeah, there's a lot to come.

Ciara: 00:47:27

Yeah, no, thank you so much for having me. I actually am someone who, um, really, I always listens to podcasts. So I it's kind of been a dream to be on a co podcast one day, so thank you.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:47:37

Oh, you're welcome. Thank you so much for listening right to the end of this episode, do remember that you can get the full back catalogue and lots of free resources on my website, vickiweinberg.com. Please do remember to rate and review this episode if you've enjoyed it and also share it with a friend who you think might find you useful. Thank you again and see you next week.