Pachamama.my: Change For Good
Head’s Up speaks to Aarti Dhillon, Founder of Pachamama.my, a social enterprise focusing on making day-to-day acts more sustainable and environmental friendly.
Here she shares more on her social enterprise, why it’s important to be resilient in face of what others might think and how she plans to keep going in a time that needs more green initiatives.
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1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Aarti and I’m an all-round lover or nature and animals, my life decisions are pretty much driven by these two force of nature. Ask anyone who’s Aarti and they’ll tell you that I’m one with the earth and an advocate of animals who really can’t speak for themselves, so it’s up to us to be the voice for them.
I also adopt an eco-friendly and sustainable lifestyle in my day-to-day life and hope to be able to share this with the people around me.
2. Why did you start Pachamama.my and what was the idea behind the social enterprise?
I started this because I was frustrated with how the eco-friendly lifestyle was being misinterpreted as a trend and it wasn’t an affordable “trend”. There is a lack of awareness and education on this subject at the time including misinformation on the concept of eco-friendly.
We live in a country with laws that are not enforced, do you know that Styrofoam is banned in many states in Malaysia? But I still see many local enforcement authorities and agencies such as the local municipality, health and police officers (in uniforms) getting take outs packed in Styrofoam.
I’ve struck conversations with them to probe them about the use of Styrofoam and responses are mostly ignorant and they generally do not care. But why? They don’t see this as a serious punishable offence because they don’t see the immediate cause and effect NOW – but what happens 10, 20 years from now?
So for many years, I have been going around pitching to restaurants and cafes to stop using Single Use Plastic Disposable (SUPD) & Styrofoam straws, plates, bowl & cutleries.
Most didn’t bother then because it wasn’t a “trend”. I also went to fruit stalls and eateries teaching them how to make cleaning enzymes with their raw fruit & vegetable peels – which is a concept that is new to them.
One day, after much preaching around, the Mantra Bar, Kuala Lumpur reached out to me with the decision to change all their straws to re-usable metal straws. I supported them with the purchase and realised that my effort was not in vain and decided it’s time to make my passion official by creating Pachamama.my.
Pachamama.my is also not just about being eco-friendly; it’s about educating people on simple measures that can be taken to be greener and to care for our planet and other living beings; from animals rights to mindfulness and community.
The idea is to make being eco-friendly affordable and accessible to everyone. As a lover of nature, our planet and animals; this is the drive behind it. I don’t want to see any more species extinction & natural disasters, because of us humans and our unbothered, careless ways. Are we not the most evolved species and should be doing better?
The drive behind the business is in the tagline – Making Eco-friendly Living Affordable
And I do this business to support stray animals. I neuter, treat, feed many strays. I have even unofficially adopted 4 strays that live very comfortably at my work (regular job) place.
3. Why did you choose to support only women artisans?
Because why not! Supporting women entrepreneurs is just a good and smart business decision.
I believe in gender equality (and look forward to it happening). Research has proven that in communities where women are on par with men, there are less child deaths, less domestic conflicts and there are better public health access. Research has also shown where there are wholly women-owned thriving businesses, the community does better.
Eliminating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity can only be achieved with the full economic participation of both men and women. Nearly one billion women with the potential to contribute more fully to their economies are constrained from doing so. Of these, 812 million live in developing countries where additional contributions are most needed.
In addition to issues of economic fairness, the costs of leaving women out of economic participation are unacceptable. Empowering female entrepreneurs, especially those in high-growth sectors, has the potential to create jobs, increase incomes, lift thousands of households out of poverty, and lead to greater economic and social transformation.
Also, I find that women entrepreneurs help open new markets, offer unique assets and abilities and diversify supply chains.
Women are underrated, undermined, under-empowered and I feel if I can help in this tiny way, I am glad I have contributed.
Did you know that new research from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that if female entrepreneurs received as much support as male entrepreneurs, the global economy could experience up to a $5 trillion boost.
It is well-documented that women-led businesses are underfunded, with data revealing that in 2017 only 2.2% of venture capital (VC) funding going to women-led companies. Women received only $1.9 billion in funding compared to the $83.1 billion that men received – combine all these factors and facts and that is why Pachamama.my only works with women entrepreneurs.
4. How many products do you have? How are you intending to grow?
Aside from promoting eco-friendly lifestyle, I also adapt a natural perspective on health and wellness and that includes chemical free, preservative free all round natural products that are healthy for consumption. This translates into the products I create.
I have over 40 wallet-friendly products, of which 17 are made by me. All my products are packaging free and non-toxic. My products are aimed at reducing waste and encouraging eco-friendly living; this is also practised when I need to send (non-perishable & non liquid only) customer orders via courier; a zero waste method is applied.
These products range from household, beauty and health such as homemade cleaning enzymes, handmade eco-wraps & (travel) cutlery bags, homemade deodorant & toothpaste, shampoo bars, reusable facial rounds, homemade organic chocolate spreads, sweet lemons, kefir, kimchi, granola and even pet treats.
Some of the products also have a story behind them. Take for example my Produce Bags that are handmade from my grandmother’s vintage sarees - some of these pieces are half a century old! Each new batch of Produce Bags holds fond memories of yesteryear and of my childhood.
And, as a believer and promoter of gut health, I also make & sell bottle organic kefir (water & milk) and also provide workshops as I feel once they start making it themselves, people will be more connected to this process and learnt to appreciate it more and be better driven to care for their gut health. It is also the more wallet friendly option, on a long-term basis.
I am currently home-based with my own mini refill station. However, growing and expanding has been something I have been seriously looking into. I am looking into starting my own space, possibly a year (or so) once this pandemic is over. I think people need time to financially recover and adding another store is not going to help.
I would be looking for investors. I have full confidence in my plans, but I do not want to go to a bank for a loan. I want to start small and gradually expand, together with like-minded people as active investors. Inactive investors would not be a direction suitable because the best growth happens with a team. One person can only bring so much to the table, but put few minds together and magic happens.
5. What’s your advice for people who want to start their own side hustle? What are some tips for success?
Don’t let people get in your head! Believe in yourself but also do your research and know what you going into and go all in.
I almost opened a store some years ago, but I allowed others to get into my head; telling me I was not business minded enough, I was not smart enough, I would be a failure, my concept of a zero-waste store was a waste of time and much more was said to me. I let these negative minded people get into my head; don’t let them get into yours!
6. How many women artisans has the SE collaborated with?
I work closely with 6 women that help me get my products out there. These women are the backbone of Pachamama.my and I love them all. I have only met 3 of them and the other 3 have been communication via email and Whatsapp only – thank you technology!
Contact for Founder : Aarti Dhillon, pachamamamy@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/Pachamama.my/ for more information