NYR Organic Case Study: Making a difference

Best known for its iconic blue bottles, Neal’s Yard Remedies has been the uk’s foremost destination for natural and organic beauty and well-being for almost 35 years

With its long-standing reputation for high quality, effective organic products containing fairly traded ingredients from around the world, it’s no wonder NYR Organic, the direct selling channel of the Neal’s Yard Remedies business, which launched seven years ago, is the biggest network of party plan direct sellers in Great Britain.

With direct sellers joining the team for many different reasons, one remains consistent - with every blue bottle sold, independent NYR Organic consultants are making a difference to communities around the world.

POSITIVE

Neal’s Yard Remedies has always believed in leaving a lasting, positive impact and building strong, sustainable relationships is central to its ethos and values, with a number of suppliers working with the brand since it began.

Fairness is essential to maintaining this success, which is embodied in the company mantra of ‘People helping people’. In fact, Neal’s Yard Remedies was one of the first companies in the UK to launch beauty and skincare enriched with Fairtrade certified ingredients and also support fair trade community projects around the world, including in Kenya, Madagascar and Morocco.

Lou Green, head of campaigns at Neal’s Yard Remedies, says: “As a family run British company, it has always been important to Neal’s Yard Remedies to support communities, farmers and their families.”

“Through careful sourcing of ingredients in our products, we are able to support a sustainable environment for these communities, spanning across South Africa to South America, and a mutually beneficial and healthy relationship.”

PIONEERING

In 2013 Neal’s Yard Remedies became the first cosmetic company to use FairWild certified organic frankincense, collected by the women of the Samburu tribe in northern Kenya. This certification indicates the sustainable use of wild collected ingredients, with a fair deal for all of those involved in the supply chain.

For the Samburu tribe, this means they are guaranteed fair trading conditions and a 10 per cent bonus, which is used for whatever project the community decides.

Margaret from the Samburu tribe says: “We appreciate the community bonus on top of the collection fee. We use it to buy food, clothes and books for our children and to pay for school fees - secondary school has to be paid for in Kenya.”

Morocco is another country where Neal’s Yard Remedies is making a difference. Organic Argan Oil is one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world and is an incredible beauty, skin, hair and nail saviour.

It’s also providing the Berber women of the fair trade Tighanimine Women’s Cooperative, who collect, crack and press the nuts, with a rare and precious income, giving them a newfound independence.

Fatima of the Tighanimine Women’s Cooperative explains: “Here in the countryside, there would be no other work without Argan.”

PHILOSOPHY

The NYR Organic philosophy is a simple one - transforming people’s lives by educating and empowering them about how to live more healthily through the power of nature.

Independent consultants are key to sharing these messages, meaning the NYR Organic opportunity not only offers the chance to build a business that fits around your life, but also the opportunity to help change the world one blue bottle at a time.