Ecuador was always in the plans of the German Monika Natscher34 years old. He had heard that it had beautiful beaches and more than five years ago he verified it. She was amazed by the beauty of the sea, the food and the treatment she received as a tourist.
But that smile faded when he saw plastic waste, among these, tubes of toothpaste, in the sand or on the seashore and thought: I must do something. and it was like that decided to stay and devise eco-friendly products, in order to create awareness and change habits.
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“I loved seeing such a beautiful country, with beautiful nature, but (he was disenchanted with) little care. And that was very motivating for me. As a result of that, the business was born with three purposes: to educate about the environmental impact of plastic, to create innovative sustainable products and to promote a change in lifestyle. I have the feeling that with my energy and work I can make an impact”, says Nätscher, now owner of bamboosmilea business with four years in the market, whose investment was $2,000.
Nätscher, who came to the country alone, had the idea but needed the elements to create it. He went to the Amazon, where he met a shaman named Domingo, who showed him his medicinal plants, including dragon’s blood.
The young woman was surprised by the properties of Dragon’s Blood, such as the fact that it is a natural and antibacterial healing agent, and she chose to include it in her most recent product: a toothpaste packaged in a glass jar.
This product has a dispenser and is for 120 applications, depending on its different presentations. In addition, it has another type of pasta style cool with essential oils. When the bottle is finished, according to Nätscher, you can use a refillwhich is sold in a also ecological cover.
Prices vary by presentation. The 125 ml, which is the best seller, is $7.50. the 250 ml, $11.50; and the 60 ml one, $4. The refill is at $5.76.
Within bambooSmile there are products such as toothbrushes, tongue cleaner, hairbrushes, straws, cutlery, among others. are present in 70 points of sale as in Megamaxi, Alpeso and Del Portal in Guayaquil.
The cassava starch cookies that father and son sold on the streets and in neighborhood stores today reach the United States and are even sold on Amazon
In Quito they are in Bloomstore, Kawsay and Guilena Ecotienda. As well as in other cities: Loja, Cuenca, Portoviejo, Salinas, Montañita, Manta, Santo Domingo and others.
Nätscher to make their mouthwash products purchase raw materials and packaging from local suppliers. These are taken to his small factory, located in the center of Guayaquil. Added to this group is the production of bamboo cutlery and straws, produced by Ecuadorian artisans.
In his portfolio he also has bamboo toothbrushes, which are worked in Germany and China and then sent to Ecuador. This is because according to Nätscher, that industry has not yet developed. His demand is for 2,000 toothbrushes a month and 400 toothpastes.
Nätscher’s plans are also focused on export. Last June it made its first shipment to Germany of 100 toothpastes, sold from its website or at fairs. And he’s already in talks with a supermarket to have them displayed on hangers. “We plan to supply the German market from the beginning of 2023 ″, he highlights.
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The German citizen is proud of the achievements obtained, of being in more points of sale and she does not share them alone but with her entire team: five people in Ecuador and one in Germany. And in addition to having indirect associates.
Nätscher has managed to move his business forward also because of his knowledge in business administration and along the way he has noticed the great difficulty of changing business habits and practices. “Changing the industry is difficult, but I like to show that real impact and that it is known that this originated in Ecuador,” he says.
At the age of 9, she sold ‘brownies’, and today Diana Carrión has her dessert business in Guayaquil, expanding to other cities and employing 30 people
However, she mentions that being a foreigner has helped her in some way because it generates curiosity. And she is grateful for the support she has received since her first day. Therefore, added to its ecological action decided to help the Amiguitos del Océano Foundation.
“We dedicate part of the profits to them, we support events, we create kits for the children. We are excited because they work directly in the environmental education of children. Children are the most important protagonists in creating change,” she expresses.
Nätscher has always acted in accordance with his values and this is what he advises entrepreneurs. “It is what guides us to make difficult decisions as I have always said: you have to have both the dream and the action to make it a reality,” he says. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
