Startup Story
Natasha Pearce is the founder and ceo of Vivacious Eco Vixon located in Cape Town, South Africa. She is an award winning entrepreneur and her business is focused on the the Circular Economy. Vivacious Eco Vixon was founded in 2018 and creates reusable home and lifestyle products that are the eco conscious alternative to single use items we use in our everyday lives. All products are locally produced in Cape Town from textile and clothing industry discarded waste. Natasha supports different sewing projects around South Africa that empower woman with new life skills by upskilling them through learning how to sew.
LoA spoke to the impact-driven founder of Vivacious Eco Vixon Natasha Pearce, about her entrepreneurial ambitions and her passion for the Circular Economy.
When did your start your business?
Vivacious Eco Vixon was started in 2019 and today employs 10 people.
“I have worked for 23 years in the clothing industry and saw that the amount of waste that was actually being either recycled or upcycled was far too little. I have always been very passionate about the environment we live in and the earth we reside upon.”
What does your company do?
We upcycle and recycle discarded Textile and Clothing industry waste into reusable products, such as Eco Towels which are an alternative to the throw away paper towels. We also make reusable wet wipes for babies and to remove makeup. We make reusable facial rounds that can be washed and reused giving the product an extension of life.
What inspired you to start your company?
I have worked for 23 years in the clothing industry and saw that the amount of waste that was actually being either recycled or upcycled was far too little. I have always been very passionate about the environment we live in and the earth we reside upon.
What makes your business, service or product special?
We use waste as our raw materials resource and our product range is diverse in its offerings. Most of our product designs are limited editions so you will not see a repeat of a particular print that we use. Our products are not seasonal trend based.
“We upcycle and recycle discarded Textile and Clothing industry waste into reusable products, such as Eco Towels which are an alternative to the throw away paper towels.”
Tell us a little about your team
I work along side different NGOs and NPOs that run sewing projects for women who come from adverse backgrounds and GBV shelters. We work hand in hand to produce the range.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I started my journey because I knew that I could no longer fit into the normal mould of working for someone else or a company. I started out with a leap of faith in myself and my abilities that I have to be a business owner and entrepreneur. My journey has been interesting and I am open minded in my approach to business. I have now been doing this for 5 years and the saying that ‘when you do what you love, you never work a day in your life’ resonates. Now I get to do what I love each day and make an impactful change.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We will be opening actual brick and mortar stores and we will be offering an eco conscious clothing line for men and women, therefore making us a one-stop store. We are also looking into doing more conscious drives within different communities throughout South Africa and Africa.
“We will be opening actual brick and mortar stores and we will be offering an eco conscious clothing line for men and women, therefore making us a one-stop store.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I get to make beautiful products that are reusable and useful. I enjoy working with others and being able to share my environmental message and my skills that I have learnt in my years of being in the clothing industry. I have the freedom of time and the freedom to determine which way I would like my journey to go.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start where you are and with what you have. Do research on the fundamentals of what your customer actually wants/needs. Surround yourself with people who carry the same energy.
Remember not everyone will get your vision or understand what your entrepreneurial journey is.
Contact or follow Vivacious Eco Vixon
Email: vivacious.eco.vixon@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ViVaciousEcoVixon/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/vivacious_eco_vixon/?hl=en
Why LoA loves it…
At Lionesses of Africa we are big fans of women eco-preneurs who are making a difference in their countries and communities with their businesses, providing solutions to local challenges. Natasha Pearce is one such Lioness, creating eco alternatives to disposable paper towels and other products, for use in our day to day lives. Not only that, but she is creating jobs and skills development opportunities for other women in her local community. A real impact maker. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa