Digital first for eco firm partners
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A HIGHLAND business which plants a tree every time customers place an order is laying down fresh roots – thanks to its first website.
Eco Ness, a sustainable and fair trade environmental market stall, has moved its business online after the pandemic forced its owners to put plans for a city centre shop on hold.
The business is run by two mums, Jacqui Ronald and Nicky Stainke, both 38. Since their school days, the former classmates have dreamt of running a business together.
Ms Stainke said: “We started Eco Ness after becoming increasingly heartbroken at witnessing the devastation the throw-away culture and over-consumption is having on our planet.
“Our own journey to remove single-use plastic from our lives and to follow a more sustainable lifestyle was paved with many hours of searching for products. We wanted genuinely sustainable products that didn’t arrive covered in plastic packaging and were good quality but also made ethically.”
Since spring 2019 the women have been selling a range of plastic-free and sustainable home and personal care products. They had been looking for their first shop in Inverness when coronavirus restrictions stopped them in their tracks.
Instead, the women have adapted to the new normal, and have set up eco-ness.com but have not given up on their hopes to open a shop one day.
Being busy working mums, Ms Ronald, who lives in Nairn, and Ms Stainke, in Tain, are always on the lookout for anything that makes it easier for them to lead a sustainable family lifestyle.
“While we are not living the perfect zero waste lifestyle, we are both on our journey to leading a more sustainable lifestyle,” Ms Stainke said. “But people can make small changes.”
