We spoke to Founder, Director and Merman, Tyrone Probert about what it's like to run their business! 🌊
Tell us more about your company.
At Ecotribo we make recycled ocean plastic products with a purpose—positive solutions through thoughtful, sustainable design and creative business thinking. We are designing & creating beautiful & unique products made from recycled abandoned ghost nets that wash up on UK shores. Our mission is to build a business that gives value to customers and creates wealth and abundance for people and the planet.10% of profits go to further beach cleaning, marine conservation and outreach programs.
Is there a specific product you've particularly proud of and why?
Our SEA CHANGE ocean plastic eco plant pot is made from recycled abandoned ghost nets. Fishing nets lost and abandoned on UK shores are collected by our beach cleaning partners and recycled into these beautiful plant pots. They are made locally in our solar-powered Bristol workshop from 100% recycled fishing gear, creating a unique and beautiful object to complement your favourite plant perfectly. Each plant pot comes with a unique trackable QR code that enables customers to scan the label and discover more about how the ocean plastics were found, where and how we transformed them into positivity.
Our mission is to help promote positive outcomes for coastal communities by cleaning our oceans, promoting recycling, and demonstrating how people and businesses can renew, recycle, restore, and regenerate the planet and the economy. 10% of profits go directly towards our coastal cleanup charities for marine conservation and outreach.
What do you most enjoy about your business?
Our business makes beautiful, unique products that are direct positive, sustainable action for people and the planet. We love cleaning up our local UK beaches and transforming the waste into something so uplifting for your home. We have a unique and beautiful story of renewal and regeneration, and I love facilitating and collaborating with the people work with. We are cleaning our coasts, planting positivity, and giving people hope for how businesses can be the change we need to see. We also love giving back to the beach cleaning charities we support with our profits and seeing their excellent work—the new circular green economy in action.
For the founder/face of the brand - when not working, what do they enjoy doing?
When I'm not working, I like to relax in the ocean or any body of water! Usually surfing, SUPing or swimming. I've been surfing since I was about 7 and grew up in Africa, so nature is so important to me and connecting with it is how I relax. I started this business as a way for me to protect the things I love, so it's nice to enjoy the sea when I have time to relax.
How many people work for the business?
My partner and I liaise with our wonderful beach cleaning groups and charities and have freelancers and contractors we work with.
Who do you sell your products to?
We have just launched our SEACHANGE Ocean Plastic Plant pot and are just getting going. We sell via our eCommerce site, and some boutiques in Bristol, Wales, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have just come on board. We are excited to get on to productguru.co.uk and look forward to growing that list.
What are your ambitions for the company?
This is just the beginning! We already have some exciting new products in development. We want to continue to grow the brand and expand our range and offering of eco-friendly ocean plastic products, supplying retailers around the world. The exciting thing about all our products is that the more we grow and scale, the more we grow and scale the cleanup of our coasts, help coastal communities and protect our natural spaces and wildlife. It's a win-win for people and the planet, so we want to get better, more efficient and grow the good vibes!
What do you think of the free Product Guru platform? What encouraged you to join?
A retail mentor told me about your platform, which seems like a brilliant idea! As a small business owner, time is limited, so I am always looking for ideas that help me optimise my time and resources. The platform so far is really slick and easy to navigate and get going! To be in front of so many buyers and shops without having to contact each one individually makes a lot of sense and is brilliant!
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