Smart Cookie: Tandia Walsh, Founder Of MotherSPF

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

I am an active, outdoors and natural skincare obsessed Australian female based between Perth and Broome, Western Australia.

MOTHER SPF is a Australian made, 100% natural, certified organic physical sunscreen. We only use 9 naturally derived and sustainably sourced ingredients, vegan & cruelty free, no added nasties, reef friendly and eco friendly packaging and made in Australia with 100% solar powder.

The idea for MOTHER SPF was born out of necessity when a few years back my mother was diagnosed with Cancer leaving me to discover the hidden nasties lurking in a lot of the mainstream skin and SPF products.

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

 I am very much a morning person – you will embarrassingly find my snoring past 8pm!

5am – Alarm off and heading to some form of exercise (run/pilates/gym class/yoga – I really mix it up!) + will go for a beach swim after pending the weather! Or if girlfriends are in my exercise class I will get a quick juice with them after to really perk my day!

Home to a shower + skincare routine and making a homemade matcha latte which I will sip while going through my emails and writing my list for the day.

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

 I didn’t choose, it was a given. I grew up in Broome, the most beautiful remote coastal town.

I was either out on the ocean fishing or camping in the bush. Having a childhood surrounded by nature made me fall in love with it – and like anything you love – you will try your best to protect it.

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

 Taking that ‘leap’ when you have no idea how the market will react and if your product will even sell (and what can go wrong!). When you’re investing every penny you have and quitting your full time job to start your own company – it’s very scary! But I promise it’s oh so worth it, if it’s something you are super passionate about and believe in.

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

Book – Let my people go surfing (by the founder of patagonia) is by far the most inspirational books I have ever read. It makes you want to DO GOOD and proves that being an eco friendly brand can still be a highly profitable business model and something that every company should strive for.

Documentary – David Attenboroughs new doco – it’s the wake up call we all need – we need to save our planet and we need to do it now!

6)       Best piece of advice you have ever received?

Not really a piece of advice but more a conversation I had with my step dad when I had literally just dropped every cent into MOTHER SPF and was freaking out.. And all he said was “it’s just money” “you have your family, your friends and you have passion” – to me it was a reminder of what the most important thing in life is and that money can never buy passion, a life or love and to always be super grateful and put my family and friends first. Business can always wait.