A Q&A with Irene Falcone from Nourished Life
Nourished Life, a popular online marketplace for natural health and beauty products, grew from a small blog into a $23 million business in just eight short years. Founder Irene Falcone shares the humble beginnings of Nourished Life.
What was the initial vision for Nourished Life? When did it all begin?
Nourished Life started as a blog back in 2011. I had decided to go completely toxin free and wanted to share all of these amazing natural products that I’d found to replace my mainstream makeup, skin care, supplements and cleaning products.
Has Nourished Life changed over time? If so, how?
Yes, absolutely! What started out as my little blog turned into something so much bigger than I ever could have anticipated. It all changed when I started selling natural lip balms and using my garage as my warehouse. Actually, I’m still selling the Hurraw lip balms, seven years later. Now, my little blog is Australia’s home for toxin-free shopping and I’m so proud of how far we’ve come.
What are some of the harmful toxins that can be found in commercial beauty and health products? Why should we avoid these additives?
The big toxins and chemicals to avoid are parabens, triclosans and artificial fragrances. Some of these types of ingredients have actually been banned elsewhere because they are known to have a negative impact on health.
What does a typical day look like at Nourished Life?
Honestly, each day is a new adventure. I might be meeting with new brands, learning about a new product or brainstorming with my team. The next day, I might be in the warehouse or working on new products for my own range.
What is your advice for someone who’s about to embark on their natural health journey?
It doesn’t need to feel overwhelming or happen all at once. Start by replacing a few everyday items here and there and gradually make the switch.
What is your personal definition of a nourished, healthy life?
I would have to say that it’s about making choices that are not only better for you and your family but also for the planet. Be conscious of what you put on your skin, into your body and into the environment.
What is something that everyone can do right now to invite more health into their lives?
My personal goal this year was to stop relying on takeaway dinners and, thankfully, I got out of that habit pretty quickly. My gut health improved almost straightaway and I feel so much better for it. I know swapping takeaway for homecooked meals seems like an obvious change to make but I also know I’m not the only one who has battled with the convenience of Uber Eats!
What’s next for Nourished Life?
Right now I’m working on some exciting new goodies for our Life Basics range. We’ve got some awesome new products in the works which I cannot wait to share. Unfortunately, for now, I have to keep my lips sealed. Stay tuned.
