How can a company achieve the highest standards of care for its workers, customers, community, and our environment?

This the question that we wished to explore in our latest ‘NailsworthCAN In Conversation’ event with Fran Beer, the founder of Beeswax Wrap Co., based in Nailsworth.

NailsworthCAN’s Jenny Bower discussed with Fran the genesis of her company and how it has evolved since being formed in 2017. You can catch-up with the video of the conversation here:

Fran was originally in marketing but wanted to find a new path, and had originally considered acupuncture. She then became interested in plastics and how we can reduce our use of them, and came across beeswax wraps. At the time she could only get them from the USA, but decided that this needed to change.

Initially Fran created products at the kitchen table and found she was able to sell them easily on market stalls, and this gave here the confidence to take the next step. A website was created in May 2017, and then in October of that year David Attenborough’s ‘Blue Planet’ was broadcast.

By December interest increased enormously in response to concern about plastics, so that by January 2018 Fran felt able to fully devote herself to her new venture. In the Spring the operation moved to Inchbrook, and by the following Christmas was employing 12 people.

Eventually, the company had to increase its floor space fourfold, moving to the Nailsworth Mill Estate. Claudi Williams, who has had a high profile in showing how to live without plastics, joined the company, further strengthening its capacity to innovate and grow.

But it would have been so easy for the company to simply chase orders, grow the supply chain, and increase distribution, without worrying too much about how it run the business.

However, Fran at every stage has challenged herself and questioned how the company does things - where its supplies come from, how it treats its staff, and how it operates in all aspects of the business.

One story exemplifies this approach. They had procured some printing, but when it arrived it was wrapped in plastic. They talked to the supplier about how this could be avoided and now the printer has changed its operation to be World Land Trust certified and carbon balanced across its supply chain and distribution network. This goes beyond paper tape replacing plastic.

Beeswax Wrap Co. has achieved B Corp certification. This is not a tick box exercise - it required collecting evidence, interviews and a thorough review of every aspect of the business.

This has - in addition to being the right thing to do - has opened up a new network for the business with customers like Emma Bridgewater, who want to be served by like-minded businesses.

Beeswax Wrap Co. has since augmented its accreditations by signing up to PlanetMark which allows it to have a professionally audited carbon footprint, and targets for its progressive reduction. The company never rests on its laurels and always seeks ways to improve or increase its impact.

Fran now finds that her company is part of a much larger movement, and she helps to educate here suppliers and distribution network on sustainability. Having learned so much about sustainability in practice, the company is sharing its knowledge and helping others on that journey.

So, in addition to producing a great product, the Beeswax Wrap Co. has become an agent for change.

That is very inspiring for an idea hatched in Fran’s kitchen.