Creating a Sustainable Future
Four of us replied to Sarika’s messages and requests for help. We’re all women, perhaps because the humanitarian side of the business particularly appealed to us (if you haven’t read our first post pop over there now to catch up).
Elephant Poo Paper provides work that local women can do in their own homes (women are still not allowed to work outside the home in Rajasthan). I know that resonated with me.
We all have very different skills, backgrounds and interests but we had one thing in common: we loved the company and wanted to be part of it!
And, it turns out, our differences have complimented each other brilliantly. Here we are talking with you on the website we set up together.
Building an international community (and a website)
Sophie – who’s originally from the Netherlands but is currently living in Goa with her husband and 3 small children – quickly became our unofficial leader and led on the strategy, mission, purpose, vision, and values.
She runs her own business Doing Business Doing Good, which has incredibly achieved B corp certification recently.
Sophie believes that businesses can and should be a force for good to solve social and environmental issues. She’s passionate about leaving the world a better place by empowering leaders, business and brands to leave a regenerative legacy. And knowing her, she’ll achieve it too.
Sophie really lives her values and organises litter picking groups on local beaches and goes plogging (picking up litter and jogging) – that is real commitment!
On a team call – with all the time differences meeting times can get complicated
Self-confessed always-on-the-go Kelly lives in Phoenix, Arizona and is a graphic designer/UX expert. She loves hiking around Arizona with her dog where they seek out interesting murals. While travelling in India with her partner in 2016, Kelly met Sarika and Vijendra, and their family.
After seeing the amazing good they do – both for the environment and for local women – she’d always wanted to support them in some way. So, she jumped at the chance to help when Sarika got in touch.
Kelly is our designer and UX guru. Check out the values icons out for a flavour of her work.
Helping women-owned and -run businesses become more visible
As well as being Art Director for Collegis Education, Kelly founded inVISIBLE studios, a creative agency dedicated to photography, branding, and website design for women-owned businesses, with Andrea Morris, her best friend and cousin.
Andrea also runs a photography business – Apis Photography – from her base in Portland, Oregon (if you like cocktails, check her out on Instagram @apis.photography).
She also puts her skills to good use as a keen birdwatcher, roaming Oregon in search of beautiful wildlife. Both Kelly and Andrea are passionate about helping female-run businesses. Andrea believes in using your skills for good and described Elephant Poo Paper as “pure to the core”.
She managed the website build from scratch and dealt with all the issues that entailed along the way (and there were a few). Andrea has also kept us organised thanks to her love of spreadsheets.
And making up the four (we’re like The Beatles) is me. I’m a freelance copywriter based in a small village in Derbyshire and I do the words. I’ve worked for myself since 2011 and I LOVE writing. For me, it’s the perfect combination of helping others, learning, self-expression, and freedom.
My work history is quite varied. I’ve worked in finance, the charity sector and overseas development. When I’m not working, I can usually be found out walking – living on the edge of the Peak District I’m spoilt for beautiful countryside– or at the pub talking books or quizzing.
I too was inspired by the humanitarian and environmental good of this incredible business. It would have been hard not to get involved.
And now we’re all part of the family. Sophie travelled to Jaipur to meet Sarika and Vijendra and their family at Christmas, and I’m going to the US in the summer, where I’ll get to hang out with Kelly and Andrea.
We all still working together (across numerous time zones!) to grow Elephant Poo Paper and eventually Vijendra and Sarika want t hand the business over to their daughter, Savi.
Here’s Savi – the next generation of sustainable business leader
Now you’re part of the Elephant Poo Paper family, please come and chat to us on Instagram: @elephantpoopaper and keep up with all our news on the LinkedIn page: Elephant Poo Paper
Thanks for reading!
