5 Minutes With A Vegan Founder - EnviroBren

Enviro Bren is a Vegan Online  Store based in Perth, Australia. They are a 100% Vegan retailer established in 2014. They offer a wide range of vegan, cruelty free and eco aware products. Brenda Wilkinson aka Bren is the founder of EnviroBren. They sell online and Bren has stalls all around the Perth metropolitan area. We love what Bren does for animals and helping the vegan community and others to find vegan products easily. We were lucky to ask few questions about EnviroBren and let's get into that - 

1. Can you introduce yourself and your store ?

Hi there. My name is Brenda (Bren for short) Wilkinson and my beloved business is called EnviroBren.

2. What were the challenges you faced during your journey as an entrepreneur?

When I started my EnviroBren eco aware business in 2014, one of the main challenges was that people were not aware of the enormous plastic pollution problem that our planet was in the grip of.

For a few years, my business floundered because people didn’t feel the need to buy or use reusable products or try to limit their plastic use. 

Also, veganism wasn’t well represented back then, and people generally weren’t interested in buying the plant-based food products that I was selling.

The turning point came when heartbreaking and horrific images/footage/stories of single use plastic pollution came to light on social media, radio, tv documentaries etc. 

Distressing scenes of wildlife, marine life and birdlife suffering and dying from swallowing plastic bags was a strong visual for change.
Who can forget the video of the turtle with a plastic straw embedded in its nose?

The plastic bag ban came a few years ago and people started taking notice and realising that reusable, plastic alternatives were good things to buy.  

3. What makes your store different? Can you explain your products with details?

I’m very proud to say that my business represents both animals and the environment.
For me, the two go hand in hand.
It’s vitally important that we care for and protect our beautiful planet and the animals we share it with.

NONE of my products contain animal products/ingredients or are tested on animals. 

Additionally, none of my EnviroBren products contain palm oil or its derivatives in any way, shape or form.
I thoroughly research every product that I stock to make sure that this is the case. 

I also try to source as many products as possible from Perth based as well as Australian businesses.
I’m a huge believer in supporting and helping out local and Aussie businesses.

95% of my product ranges contain NO plastic packaging or components.
Many of my reusable products are made from durable and very long-lasting silicone. Wherever possible other products are compostable/biodegradable. 

The Onya products that I stock are made from recycled plastic bottles.
They take a waste product from the environment and make strong and reusable products that last for years.

Some of the many reusable, plastic alternative product that my EnviroBren business stocks are as follows:
VDeo Vegan Deodorant, LA ENVIRO purses and wallets, vegan lip balms/mosquito repellent/ personal care products, reusable coffee cups, smoothie cups, water bottles,  stainless steel/silicone/bamboo straws, bread bags, produce bags, shopping bags, backpacks, lunch wraps, bulk food bags, silicone ziplock bags, silicone stretch lid sets, baking sheets, Period Underwear, reusable/biodegradable feminine hygiene pads, reusable makeup/cleanser pads, bamboo toothbrushes, bamboo cotton buds, Tru Earth laundry strips and so much more. 

4. What reactions do you get from customers? 

I have my EnviroBren stall at markets every weekend and I’d say 90% of people love the reusable, eco aware products that I sell.
I’m very grateful when they tell me that they love my business and my commitment to helping to make a difference. 

I’m very knowledgeable and passionate about my products and LOVE talking with people about what we can do to help the environment and the animals who share it with us.

Because of the engagement that I have with market/event visitors I attract wonderful loyal customers and receive many word of mouth recommendations. 

5. What is your mission and future goals you want to achieve ?

My mission with regards to my business is simple.
To reach as many people as possible and educate them about the importance of looking after, caring for and protecting our Earth home and all animals who inhabit her with us.

My future goals are to build up my VDeo Vegan Deodorant business and vegan personal care products alongside my EnviroBren business. 

Reaching and selling to more people and “Normalising” vegan products means that I will be in a better, more financially viable space to help animal/environmental charities and organisations in the future.

Sometimes I feel that it’s a losing battle when I see/hear about animals being killed for food, hunted for “sport”, animals exploited for profit/ ”entertainment”, animal testing,  overfishing, deforestation, fracking, climate change etc. 

Our environment and the animals are worth fighting for.
There are MANY kind, compassionate people globally who are educating, rallying and being voices for those who have none.

I am proud to be one of those people….

We would love to Thank Bren for her dedication and effort towards the welfare of animals. Envirobren is one of LA ENVIRO stockists and has our vegan wallets and vegan purses in stock. We appreciate her support and wish her well in her future endeavors.