We had the pleasure of talking a member of our Fairtrade family and pioneer in the beauty space, Monique Kaminski, founder of the award-winning Jeuneora.
Known for pioneering industry-leading products, Monique shares in-depth insights into her career, Jeuneora’s company values, and their commitment to sustainability. Plus, we hear about Beauty Sleep, their award-winning sleep supplement made with Fairtrade cocoa powder.
Join us as Monique talks about what drives her, and how Jeuneora is making a difference—one product at a time! ✨
Tell me something that excites you about your role within Jeuneora?
I love that every day is different and my role revolves around being creative and finding solutions. Working with a team who are passionate and share the same goals and values is awesome. We’re not just selling products; we’re building a community and making a difference, which is something I’m really proud of. To be able to shape the future of Jeuneora, and in a small way, shape the future of the beauty and wellness industry is so rewarding. There’s been many late nights and tough decisions but reading customer reviews and hearing how Jeuneora’s products have made a real difference to people makes it all worth it.
What are Jeuneora’s sustainability priorities?
When it comes to Jeuneora’s sustainability priorities, it’s not just a buzzword for us; it’s woven into the very core of our business. For me, personally, it’s about building a brand I can be truly proud of, one that leaves a positive impact.
When it comes to Jeuneora’s sustainability priorities, it’s not just a buzzword for us; it’s woven into the very core of our business. For me, personally, it’s about building a brand I can be truly proud of, one that leaves a positive impact.
We’re committed to responsible sourcing. That means carefully selecting our ingredients and packaging materials, ensuring they come from sustainable and ethical sources. We spend a lot of time researching and vetting our suppliers because we want to know exactly where everything comes from. 91% of our raw materials either have 3rd party social or environmental certifications, or are from purpose-driven suppliers. For example, our top selling supplement Beauty Sleep Adaptogenic Super Powder is Fairtrade certified.
Minimising our environmental footprint. We’re always looking for ways to reduce waste, whether it’s through our packaging choices or our manufacturing processes. We are Carbonreduce Certified through Toitu which means measure our carbon footprint then work to actively reduce it. We chose to become a certified B Corp because we wanted to hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of social and environmental performance.
We’re focused on transparency. I believe our customers have the right to know exactly what goes into our products and how they’re made. We’re committed to providing clear and honest information about our sustainability efforts and the impact of those efforts.
We’re dedicated to continuous improvement. Sustainability is an ongoing journey, not a destination. We’re always learning and evolving and committed to finding new and innovative ways to reduce our impact and make a positive difference. It means being open to change, and admitting when we can do better.
For me and everyone at Jeuneora, it’s about building a business that aligns with our values. It’s about creating a brand that’s not just good for people, but good for the planet too.
What are the key challenges in achieving them, and what kind of leadership do you demonstrate?
It’s definitely not without its challenges. Honestly, the biggest hurdle is balancing our commitment to sustainability with the realities of running a business.
One key challenge is sourcing truly sustainable materials. We’re constantly navigating that balance between cost, quality, and environmental impact.
Another challenge is educating our community. While there’s growing awareness about sustainability, there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation. We work hard to be transparent, but it takes time and effort to communicate our values and practices effectively, and to have that message really resonate.
As for my leadership style in navigating these challenges, I have always tried to lead by example by prioritising better choices when presented with options. In the early days, we were one of the first companies to start using I’m Green™ sugarcane plastic – a carbon positive raw material in our supplement containers, and we were early adopters with offering a guaranteed recycling program.
I also believe in collaboration and empowerment. I trust my team to bring their expertise and ideas to the table, I want everyone to feel ownership in our sustainability journey.
Transparency and authenticity are crucial. I’m not afraid to admit when we make mistakes or when we’re still working on improving. I believe in being honest about our challenges and celebrating our successes. I also believe in listening to our customers and shareholders, their feedback is invaluable in helping us stay on track.
Ultimately, I try to lead with passion and purpose. I genuinely care about making a positive impact, and I want that passion to inspire my team and our customers. It’s not always easy, but I believe that by staying true to our values and working together, we can overcome any challenge and build a truly sustainable business.
Can you share a career highlight with us?
There have been so many incredible moments throughout this Jeuneora journey, but one that really stands out for me was when we officially became a Certified B Corp. It wasn’t just about the recognition; it was about knowing that we’d created a business that was making a positive difference in the world.
An ongoing career highlight for me is new product development. From the initial thought starters around problem solving, to the design and development, the actual launch and the feedback from customers, it never gets boring!
I know this is three but the other absolute highlight has been the relationships I have made through the business. I’m so fortunate to be in a female-founder group run by Claudia Batten, there’s about 10 of us and we meet every Friday morning on zoom and have done for 5 years now since Covid lockdown. We also meet up in person whenever we can and I’m so lucky to have them as the ultimate support crew. I would never have had this opportunity if it wasn’t for Jeuneora.
Finally, what does Fairtrade mean for you and Jeuneora?