Natural Handmade Aromatherapy Products
About
Gaia Olea was founded 10 years ago, it started as a stall in local markets and on Etsi – selling things that Elsie (owner & founder) made. This happened organically, she was making products for herself and was looking for a career shift. She was already selling things (handcrafts) that she had collected during her travels to Asia in local markets. Her partner suggested she try to sell the products that she was already making for herself (eg. Soaps). This was common in other countries but not common at the time in Cyprus. This went really well. So this started as a side business and through the years this became the main business. Milestone: When she decided to register herself, moving out of her kitchen, getting a workshop, getting licenses and permits. Gaia Olea attracts conscious consumer – conscious on how they spend their money (supporting businesses that are as conscious as possible), people interested in supporting their community, eco-conscious. Consumers that are curious in cultivating more of a connection to nature, people that appreciate a way of making things slow and not too complicated. The operation span is International through an Etsi shop. In the past this was more successful but due to the increase in shipping prices & taxes/duties it has now slowed down. The top selling county outside of Cyprus is the US.
Sustainable Development
Sustainability poses increasing challenges for a small business owner, exemplified by the evolving methods of packaging orders. Initially, repurposing materials like old boxes and plastic wrapping sufficed, but logistical constraints prompted the need for more varied box sizes and a reliable system. Despite the time-consuming manual processes involved in packaging, such as cutting cardboard and wrapping items, the focus remains on reusing materials rather than investing in aesthetically pleasing packaging. Efforts to remain sustainable include sourcing products locally where possible, although some raw materials still require importing. Cyprus-centric values drive the business, with an emphasis on herbalism and bio-regionalism, leveraging the country's diverse microclimates. Minimal packaging, devoid of plastic, and prioritizing recycled materials underscore the commitment to environmental responsibility. A reward system encourages customers to return glass jars for reuse, despite the lack of profitability. Additionally, efforts extend to recycling aluminum caps and supporting charitable causes.
Sustainability Impact
Sustainability is beneficial for the soul of the company, not necessarily for the pocket of the company. However, it is a matter of finding better solutions instead of giving up and saying it is not working out. Gaia Olea focuses most on conscious and ethical aspects, the focus is trying to do the greater good causing as less harm as possible, sustainability fits into this mentality.
SDGs goals and Sustainable development strategy
Goal 3. Good Health and Well-Being: Improve peoples lives, focused on making products that support peoples well being (eg. Oils that uplift peoples moods, oils that help people sleep better, tinctures that sooth your grief), even though Gaia Olea makes cosmetics, there is also a lot of these types of products produced.
Goal 14. Life Below Water: Will consider products ruining marine wildlife by not buying raw materials like dead sea mud – as the exploitation of the dead sea is so severe in cosmetics that it is predicted that ina few years it will no longer exist etc.
Goal 15. Life on Land: Will not buy raw materials that are controversial eg. Palm oil Also through fundings from the Ministry of Tourism she was able to have workshops on how to make incense with local ingredients from Cyprus such as pine resin, orange pill etc. While educating people on the harm of using mainstream materials (like white sage) which were originally used in traditions of tribal communities – these materials are now in danger of extinction due to their mainstream popularity and the communities that used them originally no longer have access to them. These are small ways, little switches in peoples every day life that allow us to live a more ethical and sustainable life and be more fair towards the earth and animals.
Strategy & Mission
Gaia Olea started with no written strategy – but recently she feels that she needs to create one – but she needs to find someone to help in this area. The founder is hoping that in the next few years she will have a better organisation of things – and that she will be able to hire people that can take over parts of the business so she no longer needs to be a part of every step. In addition, she wants to make less products and focus on a few and make bigger batches. Also to focus on making more workshops where she can inspire people to connect more to nature and encourage them to explore ways natural products can support their every-day life.
Innovative approaches &Challenges
Packaging Returning the jars system Choosing ethical raw materials It is much easier to buy from regulated suppliers that have a licence of selling cosmetic ingredients due to their consistency and constant availability of materials vs buying from local producers in Cyprus who don’t always have what is needed. But that is the purpose of her work. She is also trying to digitalise as much as possible, but for example the rule in Cyprus is that for accounting you need to print everything – a way she is trying to minimize her footprint in this regard is that she asks people to give her paper they do not need – and even if there is something printed on one side she will just strike it out and print on the other side.
