Happy New World
When a critical mass wake from apathy, question convention and know absolutely that change starts only when we do, however small the beginnings, sustainable change occurs.
In ye olden days
I AM old enough to remember one of the first TV adverts for men’s aftershave.
It was the early 1970s and British boxer, Henry Cooper, was hired to front a campaign for Brut. Who can forget Our ‘Enry’s famous slogan – ‘splash it all over.’
Other celebrities who rubbed the sweet smelling cologne over their famous faces included Kevin Keegan, Paul Gasgoine and Roger Moore.
The adverts seem a bit cheesy today, but I reckon back then, most wives and girlfriends were just glad their blokes smelled of something other than beer and darts.
I don’t know if Brut or the other early aftershaves were ever tested on animals. What I do know is we have come a long way with regard to issues such as the ethical and moral treatment of women let alone animals!
It has been quite a learning curve for the business world – myself included!
In ye olden days,I am sorry to say that concerns about the environment and animal welfare did not receive the publicity or the acknowledgement among business leaders that we now know they so rightly deserved. But thankfully, those pressure groups who campaigned on these issues, were not deterred and kept up the good work. It has made us all wiser to our responsibilities.
In survey after survey, consumers consistently show they oppose animal testing and are prepared to pay more for products proven to have a sound ethical origin, research and production. for more read https://combers-old:8888/the-price-of-beauty
A sustainable planet
Over the years, I have come to realise just how businesses can have a positive or negative effect on the world in which we live. And remember, we only have one world.
That is why I am delighted to say that we have teamed up with Italy’s leading high-end hair care and cosmetic company, Davines. Founded in Parma in 1983 by the Bollati Family, the Davines Group started as a research laboratory.
After a decade of honing its expertise, the company began creating its own brand of hair care products exclusively for salons, and in 1996 founded skin care products for premier spas.
Since the beginning, Davines has focused on crafting quality products that are scientifically engineered to work. With their roots firmly planted in it’s origins as a family-owned research laboratory guided by the same desire for quality products with an authentic approach and timeless appeal, that I am confident our guests are in good hands. It has been my experience that Multinational corporations, often un be known to the consumer buy great family businesses, pay lip service to the original values and subtely change the ingredients, but still continue to trade on the original name.
Profit v Ethics
If you ask my friends and colleagues, they will tell you that when it comes to business, I like a good deal. When I watch The Apprentice on TV and Lord Sugar tells the contestants ‘but you didn’t make any money,’ I always nod in agreement. Profits are essential to business sustainability, it is its lifeblood. Well, maybe its because I’m getting older (what, you didn’t realise I won’t see 50 again!) that I realise making a profit need not cost the earth, or the suffering of an innocent animals. Building social responsibility into combers is something I’ve always fostered, but to make it a key business value is easier when working with like minded businesses and suppliers, of which there are so many more now.
That’s why I love the Davines Group approach. They say: “By creating beauty sustainably, we encourage people to take care of themselves, of the environment in which they live and work and of the things they love. “It shocked me to read that every day, the world loses 250 different species of plants, insects and animals. That is an incredible and frightening statistic.
I don’t want a world where our children grow up only knowing amazing creatures such as elephants and tigers only on an animal app. I don’t want exotic plants and insects being wiped out in a rush for oil or to build more houses. I don’t want the product I am using on my guest’s hair to be the result of horrific torture imposed on a defenceless animal or the unnecessary pollution of our waters; I also suspect my guests do not want that either. Here’s to a Happy new world.
Not tested on Animals
More and more, our guests want to know about the products we use in the salon. They are well briefed and knowledgeable about the ethical treatment of animals, and their sustainability to our environment
As a business, Combers has come to understand that we can no longer operate the way we did. We need to share this responsibility of caring for our world.
I believe today’s consumer will think twice before choosing a product, especially when it comes to hair and beauty. Using products to make you feel good can often have the opposite effect if you know it harms the environment or animals. When journalists ask the Davines Group if they have ever used animal testing, they reply simply – ‘never have and never will.’
Recently, we have been remodelling our salon. At the entrance, our guests can sit at a large farmhouse style table where we have a wide range of products available for free testing. They include the Davines range so the next time you come in for a consultation or treatment, take time out to see what delights we have on offer.
You can test the product, check the label and ask our staff any questions you may have about the product and its origins.
In doing so, you will know that you are supporting a more caring business for a happier new world where standards, values and sustainable beauty are just as important as profits…happy new year.
