We’re talking to the brilliant and instinctive owner of Waves UK Amadea Hills. Amadea opens up about what an ethical supply chain really looks like, how she imported plastic free rubber flip flops from Sri Lanka and talks to us about seizing opportunities and making her business work step by step.
ITS EPISODE 3 We have a no nonsense chat with Amadea about how she launched her plastic-free flip flop business alongside full time work and how her knowledge and experience allowed her to jump in with two feet and have the confidence to take immediate action. Amadea also let’s us in on her knowledge of what to look out for to ensure your supply chain is an ethical one. Amadea learnt on the fly and like ther rest of us, is happy to admit she is still learning. Hear about her challenges, how she overcame them and find out that what it really comes down to is hard graft, perseverance and knowing when good enough outweighs perfection.
FINDING AMADEA. I think it was an instagram chat initially. I find it a quick and effective way to start conversations on a more personal note and get instant replies as well as a feeling for who the people behind the business really are. Amadea was a natural choice that came with both incredible insights and knowledge but also a fantastic story on how chance, guts and spontaneity lead to her business launch in the UK.
WHO IS AMADEA HILLS AND WHAT IS WAVES UK? As a company who puts the environment first, Waves Flip Flops UK provide 100% Plastic Free Natural Rubber Flip Flops, ethically sourced and made with your feet and planet in mind.
We’ve talked a bit about supply chain in our 2nd episode with Ester Ford from Dinki Human and how transparency is key, but I love that in our Ep with Amadea, we unlock different aspects and cover not just the supply chain itself, but how it can be tricky to manage the whole process and manufacturing, to ensure that every aspect is checked and controlled especially when site visits during Covid-19 are limited.
TAKEAWAYS Amadea lets us in on her quest to ensure everything is perfect and run like a tight ship, but speaks openly about how this perfectionism can hold you back and stop you from progressing and moving your business forward.
THE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS BOOK CLUB On the back of the book given to her by her boyfriend and recommended to us and the SBC Book Club, she says that ‘We all want to be great and perfect at everything. Option A is your first choice, but how can we build an Option B and accept that good enough is good enough”? Amadea recommends this as her top Read for moveing past perfecion. Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy by Sheryl Sandberg.
