A Devon schoolgirl has launched her own business making environmentally-friendly sanitary pads after receiving investment from her friends and family.
Rosie Fullam, aged just 15, decided to set up her business Pads for the Planet during the summer 2020 lockdown. The environmental enthusiast, who attends Exeter School, wanted to take action after learning about the environmental impact of disposable sanitary pads.
Miss Fullam decided to source and sell a more environmentally-friendly alternative and so carried out research to make her plans reality.
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She pitched a business proposal to her friends and relatives and managed to secure £400 in investment in the business. When she added this to her savings it was enough to get the venture started.
Miss Fullam said: “I explained what the product was, my business plan, how many I wanted to buy, how much money I needed and how I intended to sell them.
“The reaction from family was positive and they asked questions about plans for the business. I researched the supplier to make sure the products were of a high quality and from a reputable and ethical company.
“I think it is important for people to buy this sort of product because it is better for the environment, and it is more cost effective in the long run,” she added.
Pads for the Planet are made from microfibre fabric with a waterproof PUL layer. PUL is a laminate fabric composed of two layers: a polyester fabric and a very thin layer of polyurethane film bonded to the reverse.
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Being aware of the environmental impact of the product having to be air-freighted to the 海角视频, Miss Fullam made sure she offset the impact of carbon emissions by paying for trees to be planted.
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The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive, she said. One customer, Christine Vince, said: “I was really impressed with the pads I bought. They are comfortable, easy to look after and well made. It feels good to use a more environmentally-friendly product and support a new local business.”
Alongside her studies at school, Miss Fullam is teaching herself GCSE Business Studies, and also aims to study for an A-level in the same subject. She is inspired by other environmentalists, such as fashion designer Stella McCartney and clothing company Patagonia.
Miss Fullam is enjoying life as an entrepreneur and said: “The best thing about being a business owner is that it has given me a purpose. I am quite a driven person and it has given me a taste of what running a business is like. I am hoping that my business will grow and begin to sell other environmentally-friendly products to a wider market.”
To find out more click . Pads are also available on Facebook Marketplace, eBay and Exeter’s virtual Christmas Market.