The news of The Body Shop's UK arm facing administration is not just another business struggling; for me, I always thought that when you work on a brand that you are passionate about, there will be a part that remains with you. And so forgive me for coming over all wistful as I reflect on the role The Body Shop has played in my journey, and important, enduring friendships.
Amidst this week’s discussion of what went wrong with the brand, here's to the good stuff I learned back in the day:
TRUST MATTERS:
I wanted to work at The Body Shop because I thought that I could make a difference, but reality is that can't happen unless trust is instilled in people to make that difference. From my days as a wide-eyed student with a 'Saturday job', I was given the reins to create memorable in-store experiences and even wield a makeup brush for in-store makeovers (total fun!). This trust extended to honing my skills in managing Community Trade relationships and the unwavering support I received in my marketing journey.
DEFY CONVENTION:
Doing the right thing isn’t always easy when there's no proven roadmap. Yet, The Body Shop taught me the power of taking action, even if the path wasn't always clear and you make mistakes along the way. It's about the idea of doing well by doing good and inspiring positive change.
BRING JOY:
Let's not forget the joy The Body Shop brought to so many. It wasn't just about beauty; it was where teenagers lingered for hours of fun, discovery, and experimentation of new scents, ingredients and to learn about ideas on recycling, sustainability and activism (and where nobody ever complained about overusing testers nor a request for yet another Vitamin E sample pot).
INNOVATION AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING:
The Body Shop never shied away from trying something new. From iconic products like Banana Shampoo and Kiwi Lip Balm, to pioneering campaigns like Animals in Danger and No Animal Testing, to new business models like Community Trade, to fun retail concepts like the Perfume Tester Bar and the faff free original refill station; innovation was at the core of everything they did.
I hold onto hope that something meaningful can be salvaged from this once groundbreaking brand.
But before I go, please answer the age-old debate: were you team Dewberry or team White Musk?
#TheBodyShopLegacy #TeamDewberry
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4moCan't decide which I like better - the sneakers or the kitty cat!