Smart Cookie: Alexandra Meek, Founder Of Maruko Beauty

1)  Could you tell us a little about yourself and what’s your business about?

Maruko Beauty brings you the best in clean, natural and organic beauty. We stock both Australian and international brands, with a focus on high-performance brands and cult clean beauty faves. All of the brands we stock are from independent beauty brands and are cruelty-free, with a continued focus on sustainability and eco-conscious business practices.

As for myself, I have a background in Finance, but the past few years have developed a deep interest in the health and wellness space due to my own experiences with illness. This is what triggered my interest in clean and natural beauty and lead to the creation of Maruko.

2)      Do you have a morning routine? If so, what is it you do to set yourself up for the day ahead?

Yes, I think a good routine is essential. I usually start with a healthy breakfast such as a green smoothie. I also try not to look at my phone for the first half-hour of being awake and try to be fully present and conscious, ready for the day. I am also big into ‘To-Do’ lists and usually start my day with one of these, this helps me to be more productive throughout the day.

3)      Why did you choose to go sustainable and eco-friendly?

I actually suffered from severe Lyme Disease for many years which prompted a huge change in my lifestyle. What began with dietary changes triggered a holistic look into my entire lifestyle. I’ve found most health-conscious brands whether that be food or even clean beauty like we sell are more eco-friendly and conscious of the impact of their business activities, with a focus on more than just the bottom line. So I suppose going healthier was one of the first things that opened my eyes to the need for more eco-friendly choices.

I also think spending time with illness forced me to really slow down and to stop and reflect on my choices and made me realise that I wanted to have a positive impact on the world, and I hope to achieve that in some way through my business. My time unwell also gave me a lot of time to read and reflect on how serious climate change is and that it’s our collective responsibility to do something about this.

4)      What was the hardest part of starting your own business?

I think the hardest part is mental and we can be our own worst enemies – overcoming any negative thoughts, or my constant overthinking and pushing that aside in order to get things done was probably and continues to be the hardest part of running a business.

5)     One book and/or documentary everyone should read/watch? Why?

I am big into meditation and anything personal growth-related – I recommend and have bought a few friends the book ‘The Untethered Soul’ by Michael A Singer. I listened to a podcast with the author on the Oprah podcast awhile back, and it has become my go-to for self-improvement.

6)       Best piece of advice you have ever received?

I think my favourite quote is to take things one day at a time! This was my mantra when recovering from illness, but is applicable to my business, small steps lead to big changes over time.