Behind the Brand - Living Nature

Living Nature was founded in 1987 by Suzanne Hall, who was inspired by the healing properties of New Zealand native plants to remedy her own skin conditions.  The brand now boasts ranges in Skincare, Haircare, Cosmetics and Wellbeing.

We caught up with Linda Williams, Living Nature's NZ Sales Manager to find out more about the brand.

Tell us a bit about yourself

My name is Linda Wiliams; I’m the NZ Sales Manager for Living Nature, and I also oversee our Australian and USA markets.

I am married to John and we reside in the beautiful Bay of Islands on a ½ acre lifestyle block with over 20 different types of fruit trees, a large veggie garden, dogs, chickens and visiting Tui, ducks and quails.

What is your background?  How long have you been in the Beauty Industry?

My background is in sales. From an early age I was an industrious individual working weekends on market stalls in the UK and really getting to know the general public.

I arrived in New Zealand in the late 80’s residing in Wellington, relocating to Auckland 5 years later for a promotion.  Whilst in New Zealand I have been fortunate to work for large food brands such as Kellogg and Heller’s.

My aim was to work for a New Zealand owned manufacturing company with export potential. I also wanted to work with a beauty brand.

My husband and I left Auckland in 2007 to reside in Northland. I took a year’s sabbatical and later joined Living Nature fulfilling a 1 year maternity contract. Since then I have worked in various roles and currently Sales Manager for New Zealand. Australia and recently USA.

How did the idea to launch your own Brand come about?

Our brand was launched in 1987 by Kiwi natural skincare pioneer Suzanne Hall who was initially trying to find ways to manage her own sensitive skin challenges.  We then found there was a growing demand from others with a desire to use natural products rather than synthetics for their skin and body care. Living Nature was born!

What is the philosophy behind your brand?  What does it stand for?

Our commitment is to provide you with the most natural, safe & effective products to care for your skin and the planet.

Our mission has remained unchanged for more than 26 years:

"To create a sustainable, profitable, ecological, educational and inspirational business that impacts on the individual by promoting healthy vibrant skin; on the community by creating employment; on the country by featuring the uniqueness of our plant resources and earning export income; on the world by being a model of ethical, honourable business and solving inherent 21st century problems in a way that inspires the human spirit."

An absolute principle for Living Nature is ‘if in doubt, we leave it out’ – we go to great lengths to ensure no ‘nasties’ in any of our product formulations so they’re as safe as possible.

To many people, you would have their dream job, what is the best thing about working for such a gorgeous beauty brand?

The products are fantastic, I get to work with a small, highly dedicated team of talented people and live in the most beautiful part of the country.

It sounds like you have a really glamorous job; do you rub shoulders with the rich and famous?

We have had the privilege of working with Lorraine Downes and very much enjoy knowing of other Kiwi celebrities who use and love Living Nature products.

On a ‘day to day’ basis though we’re a small global company covering many areas - unfortunately it leaves little time to mix with the rich and famous!

What is your best selling product?

Extra Hydrating Toning Gel

What is it about this product that makes it so popular?

It’s your dry skin saviour! Our toning gels are unlike many ‘toner’ products that can be alcohol-based and highly astringent.

Our gel formulations use the natural skin properties of Harakeke, Active Manuka Honey and Larch Tree extract to repair dehydration by drawing moisture into thirsty skin (it's also great to soothe sunburn). Our Extra Hydrating Toning Gel is one that people absolutely fall in love with to replenish skin hydration for dry / mature skin.

This nutrient-rich, alcohol-free Gel soothes, calms and restores the skin’s ideal pH balance. Balancing, hydrating and of course, certified natural.

What’s your favourite product from your range?

Radiance Night Oil from our skincare range.

This precious facial oil blend boosts your skin's overnight rejuvenation and renewal process and nurture with the finest natural anti-aging ingredients.

With finest Rose Oil to naturally stimulate your skin's own collagen production, Rosehip Oil to aid cell regeneration and repair damaged skin tissue, Calendula to soothe and calm, nutritious Carrot Oil to revitalise and tone, Jojoba Oil to nourish, and Frankincense Oil to repair dry skin and heal blemishes. Radiance Night Oil is my natural anti-aging gem and beauty sleep secret.

Laughter and Morning Sun Lipsticks from Living Natures cosmetic range.

I don’t leave home without a lipstick.  Living Nature lipsticks are formulated with the highest quality, certified natural ingredients to bring luscious, healthy colour to your lips.

Production is in small manufacturing runs with lipsticks hand poured and individually flamed to a perfect finish by our experienced team. All natural pigments and nourishing waxes ensure smooth application, fabulous wear and a gorgeous natural smile.  We named our lipsticks after things we all love here at Living Nature.

What advice would you give to someone reading this who would like to do what you’ve done?

Look for opportunities to get a foot in the door – companies like Living Nature are small and your ‘ideal role’ won’t necessarily be the one that comes up but you’ve got to start somewhere.

If you’re good at what you do and passionate about the brand you’ll move within the company soon enough.

What’s been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

The biggest highlight of my career was lately sending a ‘Precious by Lorraine Downes’ T-shirt to a young Australian customer whose mother entered a prize competition on her behalf saying;

“This would be perfect for my daughter who is so precious to me - especially today as it’s the 3rd anniversary of my son passing away after my daughter donated bone marrow to try and save her brother.”

It brought a tear to my eye and it was a privilege being able to give to a young person who had given so much.

What has been the biggest challenge you've faced?

On a working level - currently trying to work out how best to manage the opportunities we have in the USA market without the resources to put people ‘on the ground’ there as yet.

On a Personal level - currently dealing with a terminally ill UK based parent who has recently been diagnosed with Mesothelioma.

What does a normal day for you consist of?

A skype call around New Zealand with the sales team and following up any issues or concerns with our key accounts and other domestic customers, dealing with a distributor based in Australia and responding to potential USA business opportunities.

Participating in planning Sales and Marketing activities including new product development – forecasting, market feedback and being a volunteer for in-house sensory trialing!

How do you relax?

Over a glass of wine and dinner made by my husband enjoyed with lots of laughter amongst good friends.

Spending holiday weekends relaxing on the Karikari Peninsula at Rangiputa with my husband and 2 miniature poodles Robbie and Bea.

Can you give us a hint about what is next for you? - The person and the brand

Continuing to build our sales and the brand representation across customers / stockists in our key territories.

We have more and more new competitors in the market trying to establish themselves in the natural space – some are using the word natural without any credentials to back this up so our ongoing challenge is to educate and provide tools for our customers to differentiate between the natural contenders – and maintaining our standards so they know they can trust Living Nature to always be genuine, certified natural.

Find out more by visiting www.livingnature.com