The web is an excellent place to find earth-friendly, healthy, natural products. Reading labels checking ingredients is important, as is finding a trustworthy store. I discovered a wonderful Canadian company called Nayla Natural Care, based here in Ottawa.
Over the years, I have purchased gifts and excellent products for our home from NNC. I particularly like that this green store offers unique, quality, well-researched items, not found in big supermarkets and box stores. Some of my favourites are reusable and washable snack bags and Steward produce bags. We have significantly reduced our use of plastic by switching simple products.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Gwen, owner and founder of Nayla Natural Care to find out more about her business.
Tell us about your earth friendly online business. What inspired you to start it?
My children inspired me to start my business. I found myself buying the things we needed for them at several different places around town and online. It became a hassle after a while so I decided to launch my own store. Around the same time, news reports were everywhere about BPA and it just felt like the right thing to do.
I enjoy being able to have a place for parents, who felt as I do back then, to come and get safe products for their children (and maybe a thing or two for themselves!)
How do you select the products you sell?
I do lots of research and reading. I talk with manufacturers to make sure that the products are what they say they are.
Who are your customers?
My customers tend to be parents and grandparents. I also have a registry as part of the website, so I get many order form friends of people who have registered on the site for their baby shower other special event.
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How is the market changing?
The market is always changing. As people become more aware of organics and natural products, the demand for them grows. Manufacturers sometimes rush to get on the bandwagon by producing products that are not what they seem (green washing)…which is why everyone should really do their homework before purchasing.
What advice do you have for consumers considering switching over to non-toxic products?
I always tell everyone to do his or her research. Shop from a place that knows the products they carry. If you find a store that sells something you are interested in but you still aren’t sure about the product, ask! A knowledgeable retailer will have the answers.
Website: www.naylanaturalcare.com
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Twitter: @naylanatural
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Cool. I do most of my shopping on line these days so I appreciate a good recommendation.
Thanks LC.
Sounds like a very honest company that is commited to greener products! All the best to Gwen!
Yes, it’s an excellent business. I’m reading “There is Lead in your Lipstick” by Gillian Deacon and she mentions Gwen’s company many times throughout the book. Pretty darn cool.
For Laura and those of you (blog readers) living in Ottawa, it would be great if NNC were to sell their products through local stores in the near future. Online is convenient, but shipping seems a bit silly if you live in the same area. Did Gwen mention any plans to go through retail channels?
Hi Andrea – I purchase products when she has tables at charitable events or from Gwen when I am in her neighbourhood. She also does open houses regularly for easy/convenient local shopping.