Creating sustainable products with Nancy Powell, HERD Bags
Play • 1 hr 12 min

HERD makes hardworking reusable bags from waste plastic bottles.  The bags come in a range of sizes in joyful and vibrant designs.  Each HERD bag is wipe clean, has a zipped internal pocket and a double cotton handle for easy carrying.  HERD was launched in 2019 by Nancy Powell.  After working with a range of well known brands on sustainability Nancy took all that she learnt about bags, packaging and brands to launch HERD.   She has three young children and is Chief Herder in her house.

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Today I’m talking to Nancy Powell the entrepreneur and founder of HERD Bags, a globally stocked brand of bright, joyful, reusable bags made from recycled plastic bottles. 

We talk about what drove Nancy to set up her business, working with recycled materials, and ways that Nancy plans to further reduce the impact of manufactured products and close the loop.

Listen in to hear Nancy share:

  • An introduction to herself and her business (1:14)
  • The inspiration behind creating a sustainable product (4:27)
  • The importance of flexible working hours in setting up her own business (7:00)
  • The appeal of bags as a product (9:31)
  • Why sustainability was a key part of the business vision (11:53)
  • Whether working with recycled materials presents more challenges (13:47)
  • The importance of working with other women balancing professional and home life (16:24)
  • Finding the right suppliers to work with, as a small business (19:08)
  • Managing a global team (27:39)
  • Using Instagram and local networks to build her team (30:51)
  • The environmental impact of HERD and future plans for closing the loop (41:10)
  • Working with wholesalers (50:42)
  • Her number one piece of advice for other product creators (1:05:02)

USEFUL RESOURCES:

HERD Bags Website

HERD Bags on Facebook

HERD Bags on Instagram

Nancy Powell on LinkedIn

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This episode is proudly sponsored by Jennifer Cooper Timesaver

Jennifer Cooper Timesaver is a timesaving business mentor and strategist. She empowers purpose led entrepreneurs to achieve more in their business by being savvy with tech, growing their visibility and detangling mindset blocks. With over 20 years of business and retail experience, Jenny combines compassionate mentoring, custom solutions and commercial know how to help you grow a profitable feel good business. Jenny is the founder of Team Timesaver, who specialise in providing done for you business services, covering social media, email list & podcast management, website tweaks and business management tool set ups. Jenny also runs the Kindred Spirits Community, hosting free weekly co-working sessions in the heart of Tunbridge Wells, providing solopreneurs and home workers an opportunity to connect with other business owners, and feel less alone in their business. Find out more about how Jenny can help you at www.jennifercoopertimesaver.com instagram @jennifercoopertimesaver

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