Getting To Know The Green Laundress
So very excited for you to meet Erica Ahmed today of The Green Laundress.
-Will you introduce yourself to the Go French Yourself audience and share some of your background?
Greetings! My name is Erica Ahmed and I am the founder of The Green Laundress and eco and people-friendly company manufacturing cleaning products. I have also worked in the public health space for 20 years in varying roles in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA & New York City.
-Can you tell my readers when and why The Green Laundress was started?
I started making products to address the skin care needs shortly after my daughter was born over 13 years ago. She was having a negative reaction to many of the cleaning and laundry products I was using—even those labeled as “dye-free.” It took me nearly a decade to decide to incorporate and formulate a business. I am truly “an accidental” and slightly resistant entrepreneur!
-Have you always been passionate about natural products?
Yes—but only food and body butters☺. Cleaning products never crossed my mind!
-How have your buying habits changes since beginning the natural journey?
I am so much more aware of product ingredients and their impact on our collective health and the environment across the board. By no means am I obsessive but I didn’t aim to us a whole health framework when making purchases.
-What has made you the happiest since starting your company?
My daughter having healthy beautiful skin and being able to help others understand the value of cleaning healthier. It doesn’t make sense to be plant-based or an exercise guru yet use cleaning products that can compromise your lung health and overall health. That’s all part of using a “whole health” lens. I have also met some wonderful people who have inspired and taught me quite a bit!
-Do you have a personal favorite product from your line? What is it and why?
Tub Scrub. Although the name doesn’t fully capture what it cleans, I still love the name. It smells awesome and it gets the job done with ease!!
-Which product came first? Which is the most popular?
The Multi-Purpose Cleaner came first. It is our most popular with Tub Scrub being a close second.
-Do your products vary seasonally, or do you stick to the staples?
No. Our products are available year round, but we do incorporate seasonal scents for certain products.
-How do you spend the typical workday?
Well, there are no typical days☺….but I spend a significant amount of time making product and helping/overseeing packaging and shipping. I also engage with customers and meet with potential commercial clients.
-What are some of your other interests or hobbies?
Live music/concerts (pre-COVID) and yoga classes
-How has your life changed since starting The Green Laundress?
I don’t have a background in business nor the cleaning industry so I had to learn a lot and quickly. I have made plenty of mistakes but I continue to unearth good information and even better people.
What’s next for The Green Laundress?
More partnerships and projects. We have some exciting things coming up! There is also a plan to get our product line on more shelves and we’ll be rolling out 2 new products in Q 1 2021!
