A sustainable stationery model? We’re all for it! Radhika Mayani tells us how her eco-conscious journey bought its begin.
We love entrepreneurs and small enterprise homeowners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a complete digital networking platform (with IRL advantages, too) that encourages connection, enterprise assist and neighborhood. It’s a privilege and pleasure to be taught from so many gifted and provoking people, so we’ve determined to share the love by interviewing a number of the beautiful Launchpad members. Searching for inspiration? Take a look at how Radhika Mayani, the founding father of Left-handesign, will get it carried out like a boss.
What’s your backstory and why did you determine to launch your corporation?
My journey in the direction of sustainability started after I labored within the hospitality business in Singapore and witnessed the numerous wastage occurring in accommodations. This expertise triggered my dedication to discover a answer to the waste drawback and promote sustainability.
Based in 2017, Left-handesign is the results of my ardour for nature and stationery. It’s a stability between these two pursuits. I launched the ‘BĪJ’ collections, which embody a spread of stationery merchandise resembling pens, pencils, notebooks, and extra. They’re embedded with seeds, providing customers a singular expertise when the stationery reaches the tip of its life. This revolutionary strategy aligns with my dedication to sustainability and lowering waste.
Creating consciousness about such merchandise is a vital step in addressing the waste drawback and making them a worldwide different to single-use stationery. I envision my merchandise changing conventional single-use stationery objects in numerous settings, together with places of work, colleges, universities, authorities organisations, accommodations, and past.
What has been your largest problem thus far and the way did you overcome it?
One of many challenges is discovering dependable suppliers of sustainable supplies. Overcoming this includes analysis to establish suppliers who meet the required moral and environmental requirements. Constructing robust relationships with these suppliers and making certain a constant provide chain helps as nicely.
Selling sustainable merchandise and creating consciousness about their advantages is one other vital hurdle. We have to develop a complete advertising and communication technique to handle it. Lastly, convincing shoppers to modify from conventional single-use merchandise to sustainable alternate options is difficult. So we give attention to showcasing the standard and performance of our merchandise alongside their sustainability advantages. Offering compelling causes for shoppers to make the swap may help change shopper behaviour.
How do you keep motivated and energised?
Having clear and achievable targets offers me a way of function and path. I break down bigger targets into smaller, manageable duties to create a way of accomplishment. Understanding the deeper causes behind what I’m doing additionally offers intrinsic motivation. Connecting my work to my values and passions helps me keep centered and energized.
I acknowledge and have a good time achievements, regardless of how small. This constructive reinforcement can increase morale and motivation to maintain going. Additionally, I domesticate a constructive angle by specializing in options relatively than issues. I follow gratitude and mindfulness to maintain stress at bay and keep a balanced outlook.
Bodily well-being is carefully linked to psychological and emotional well-being. So I eat a balanced eating regimen, train commonly, and get sufficient sleep to make sure my physique and thoughts are functioning optimally. Lastly, social assist is essential for sustaining motivation. I interact with like-minded people – whether or not by networking occasions, on-line communities, or mentorship.
How do you take care of self-doubt or criticism?
I recognise when self-doubt arises and acknowledge my emotions with out judgment as a result of it’s a standard human expertise. When self-doubt creeps in, I query the validity of my damaging ideas. Subsequent, I remind myself of my accomplishments and strengths, and mirror on previous successes. I deal with myself with the identical kindness and understanding that I’d supply a pal to keep away from being overly important.
Criticism could be precious if it’s supplied in a constructive method, so I differentiate between suggestions that’s meant to enhance and suggestions that’s purely damaging. I strategy criticism with an open thoughts, contemplating if there’s any fact to it and whether or not there are areas the place I can genuinely enhance.
Viewing criticism as a possibility for development relatively than as a private assault helps me embrace the prospect to be taught and develop. If I encounter overly harsh or unfounded criticism, I do know it’s okay to set boundaries and prioritise my emotional well-being. Not all criticism must be internalised.
Favorite locations to work?
Dwelling, and now my studio in Alexandria, Sydney.
Are you able to share a piece mantra that you just use?
“Embrace the Journey”: this jogs my memory to understand the method of development and improvement relatively than solely fixating on the tip consequence. It encourages mindfulness and discovering pleasure within the day-to-day journey towards my targets.
“Keep true to your self”: it’s a robust and timeless mantra that encourages authenticity, self-awareness, and integrity. It’s a reminder to stay aligned with my values, beliefs, and rules – even when confronted with challenges, exterior pressures, or the opinions of others.
One factor you’ll be able to hold speaking about for hours?
Entrepreneurship and the journey to get right here!
Your go-to self-care exercise?
Yoga, being in nature, coastal seashore walks, farmer’s markets, and the spa.
One piece of recommendation to your youthful self?
Embrace development and uncertainty. Life is a journey crammed with change. Embrace the alternatives to be taught and evolve, even after they include challenges. This implies being open to new experiences, taking dangers, and stepping out of your consolation zone.
It’s okay to not have all of the solutions or a transparent path forward – uncertainty can result in a number of the most rewarding and transformative moments in life. Belief in your talents, be resilient within the face of challenges, and strategy every new expertise as an opportunity to be taught, adapt, and turn out to be a greater model of your self.
Get in contact with Radhika Mayani on-line.
Launchpad is a complete digital networking platform (with IRL advantages, too) that encourages connection, enterprise assist and neighborhood. It’s designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not solely simpler, and extra profitable, but in addition an entire lot extra enjoyable. We provide nearly each day actions for members to attach, together with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Test it out and be a part of us!
kayu 
