By The Green Parent
23rd August 2020
“I was born in France with Italian culture 54 years ago. After graduating as mechanical engineer, I spent three years in humanitarian organisations (India, Vietnam and during the Bosnian war for Handicap International). Then after a few years as an engineer, I started in the cosmetic industry in 2000 and I created my first company and first brand of natural makeup in 2002. Since then I have been immersed in this field trying to improve both our products and our management system. Zao Cosmetics (zaomakeup.com) is based in a small village in south of France and our building is actually an old farm that we restructured into offices in the middle of the countryside, surrounded by fields.
The idea of Zao was born when I still was in my previous company in 2009. I already had designed 2 brands before, and I was looking for a new idea. When my Taiwanese supplier and friend offered me a set of 2 pencils made in bamboo, I knew I found my new casings material. I already knew of bamboo as cosmetic ingredient specifically for its concentration of organic silica. Then it became obvious to design formulations that include bamboo extracts. Zao was born at the beginning of 2012.
SELF-CARE SECRETS
Except using only organic cosmetics, I would say the best secret is to cultivate positivity and happiness.
BUSINESS PLANS
To participate with our brands as our customers’ mindset evolves.”
THREE WAYS TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE
CONSUME LESS
EAT LESS MEAT Reduce (or even better to eliminate) meat consumption as a primary reason to destroy rain forests is the cultivation of soya for feeding bovines… and then eliminate dead animals from our food… (not easy, I know)
INSPIRE OTHERS To be an inspiring example for others without making feel them guilty
