Jennifer shares her passion for her environmentally and socially responsible business, where both the planet and the people involved thrive.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Jennifer Gregory, the Managing Director of Indosole, gets it done like a boss.
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
After moving to Singapore in 2017, I immediately sought out businesses and people who were championing sustainable living. Then I came across the Indosole brand at The Social Space. I was impressed with the quality of the produce and the fact they’ve found such an ingenious way of turning a whole tire into the soles, creating a new product from a waste source. It was a chance meeting with Indosole founder, Kyle Parsons, whilst in Bali later in 2018 that started my journey of bringing the Indosole brand to Singapore as a distributor.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge is understanding how an omnichannel retail strategy can work in a market like Singapore. It seemed to be very different from the USA, EU and AUS markets Indosole had already begun making an impact. Having to start from scratch here and not knowing anyone was a challenge. I networked super hard in the first year of business in 2019 putting myself out there in terms of events, networking groups, and making connections with cold-calling stores. It was a huge learning curve but it paid off in that I had an established brand presence by the time Covid-19 set in.
How do you stay motivated and energised?
By networking with other amazing business owners who also are passionate about sustainable and responsible business, trying to not only make a living from their business but also make a change in how business can be done better for people and the planet.
How do you deal with self-doubt or criticism?
I have an amazing husband who is very good at being able to simplify problems and make me feel confident in overcoming fears or self-doubt when they arise. I also look around and see that everyone is on a journey and some people are just further along that journey than I might be in a specific problem I’m trying to solve. So I am able to put into perspective the process I am working through.
Favourite places to work?
Home! I love being surrounded by natural light and plants – two things I have in my own home so I’m very lucky. And I also like any kind of co-working space as I find them full of energy and inspiration watching other entrepreneurs tapping away at their keyboards! But I have a gripe about non-ergonomic furniture in many co-working spaces so as long as I am comfortable I will get work done!
Favourite business tool?
I love Google Business Suite – I’m a Gmail fan and use the calendar as the absolute bible of how my day is planned. Being a busy Mum of two secondary school students, and running a business, it’s essential everything I need to get done is in the diary whether it is a five-minute task or five-hour strategy session, it’s scheduled in the calendar!
One thing you can keep talking about for hours?
I can talk about the benefits of a responsible business for all stakeholders – customers, employees, the environment, etc. But I also love nature. Plants and birds fascinate me and sometimes I’d rather stop talking and just watch nature instead.
Your go-to self-care activity?
Walking in nature. I am so energised when I’m surrounded by green and can hear the sounds of nature all around me. I also have come to love yoga in the last six years and feel out of sorts when I go a long time without doing it!
One piece of advice to your younger self?
When I was young I was very interested in recycling and making positive choices for the environment. But then, for a period of about five years, as I travelled and worked in lots of different places in my 20s, I lost that focus. My advice would be to acknowledge the things that matter and not lose sight of them as a mantra for everyday living, no matter what it was I was doing or where I was living.
Get in touch with Jennifer online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!
