Meet the co-founders of The Goodwash Company

We are Kelly Davies and Mandy Powell.

We didn’t know one another before we went into business together and met via a mutual friend - at a networking event hosted by Sport Wales.

(Kelly) “Mandy has a pretty direct way of talking and she started to question me about the social enterprise I was running at the time and whether it really was a viable business model.” 

(Mandy) “I’d started to really have enough of the corporate world and was looking to turn my attention to something different. Kelly and I quickly realised from our conversations we both wanted to get involved in a new venture that was “something for Wales”. 

Our conversations continued and it was 8 months from our first meeting to launch. A shopping trip to London culminated in our logo being designed in a bar in Paternoster Square, with feedback being given on the various versions from fellow cocktail drinkers. We left London that evening and two weeks later The Goodwash Company was born.

What inspired you to launch your business and what is the end goal?

From the very beginning we’ve had a shared ethos of just wanting to do good. We toyed with some initial ideas for the social enterprise that included clothing, chocolate and beer but quickly realised that was already being done - and pretty well at that. We thought harder about what folks do every day and what would inspire repeat purchases… The light bulb moment came from “have a good wash”. 

We’ve always, always wanted to be a strong Welsh brand that does good. We wanted to be strong commercially but social impact had to be at the heart of everything we did. We always wanted to “help change the world, one wash at a time”.

How do you set yourself apart from other businesses in your industry?

The Goodwash Company is not a lifestyle business. Our USP is absolutely the social impact and truly making a difference in the community. We are also proud to offer luxurious, high quality, ethical products that guarantee us loyalty and repeat business. It’s sometimes hard to get that bit right with a social enterprise but our product is what first attracts new customers who are then delighted to further buy into our social commitments.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as entrepreneurs? 

Uh… Alton Towers roller coasters haven’t got anything on owning your own business. It’s so important to accept from day one that it’s going to be such a ride. A ride full of twists and turns. Nothing surprises us anymore. Similarly, we’ve learnt to (reluctantly!) accept a lot of things don’t happen as quickly as you might have first hoped and what will be will be.. ride the wave.

With all the success stories around entrepreneurship and how innovative people have to be to take the leap. How do you think you’ve innovated your sector and why?

We feel we’ve set a new standard for social enterprises, offering a luxury product which genuinely does give back at the same time. Customers are digging deeper and we work so hard to physically deliver our giving back projects, along with sharing all the details of those projects directly with our customers.

What are your thoughts on failure?

The biggest thing when it comes to failure is definitely how you choose to respond to it. We have a very “just do it” attitude and are prepared to respond to the actions of those decisions and learn from them, if they don’t quite work out as we’d hope. As co-founders, we have found we are often happy to take risks at different times so that spurs on the other one!

Do you have a morning routine or ritual to get your day started on the right foot? 

There’s no yoga or green juice here we’re afraid…

Mandy “The coffee has got to be freshly blended and strong. I always start the day with a little bit of chocolate alongside it. Sometimes it’s not so little and I’ve been known to have a Mars bar for brecwast. I’ve done this since I was a kid.” 

Kelly “The Diet Coke can cracks then I’m off for a run. When I look back at a brilliant new year spent in a coastal cottage with friends, I think starting the day with open water swimming would also work wonders for me. During our 10 day break I was the only one to pull on a wetsuit and get in the sea for a early morning dip. I honestly have never felt less stressed and felt so many benefits from such an exhilarating start to the day.”

What are your top tips for entrepreneurs wanting to get their business out there? 

Before you even get going, make sure you have got a plan for how to switch off at the end of each day. It can get very intense and overwhelming otherwise. Likewise, hold your support network close. Friends, family and business advisors are the ones you definitely need to drag you through those tougher times. 

How did you fund the launch of your business and what creative strategies did you use to execute a minimal cash flow?

We both launched the business from, and subsequently lived off, our savings. We didn’t take a salary for the first year or so either. The biggest investment we made in the business however was time.

How did you conquer those moments of doubt that so often affect entrepreneurs or stop many with great ideas – what pushes you through?

We are always keen to prove we can make something happen. Even if we are doubting ourselves, we are always determined the external doubters never get the better of us.

What would be your top marketing tip, to grow a business that is niche?

Always be as authentic as you possibly can. We run our business in the same way we run ourselves - we never pretend we are anything we’re not. Our business has grown from ideas sharing and as co-founders we are often physically together most days and that helps no end.

Is word of mouth working to your advantage?

We owe an awful lot to word of mouth. When a customer buys from us we can always (thankfully!) be confident they’re going to recommend us to a friend.

What social media channel would you say has worked the best for your business and why?

Our biggest traction on social media comes from Instagram; simply because it’s where our existing and prospect customers seem to like to hang out most. That and visuals are really important to our brand and those are obviously best suited to Instagram.

Does your company help the community that you’re located in?

 Yes, of course. As a social enterprise giving back to the community is at the absolute heart of all we do.

Our recent “Diolch” soap bar campaign for NHS key workers along with a candle to help homelessness in Wales via charity, Llamau are probably some of our most poignant efforts.

Any moments where you thought you’ve bitten off more than you can chew?

Thankfully we can look back at all those moments now and laugh but... When we first brought soap to market there was quite the logistical faux pas involving the whole of a delivery for a boutique hotel falling out of the car and into a patch of gravel! Then there was turning up to our first trade show without a table cloth and using one of our scarves instead. It goes on… and we are sure it will continue to!