AMA: Maddie Booth, founder of Scrubbee

According to the NatWest Global Entrepreneurship Report, one in seven people now plan to become entrepreneurs. Embracing that entrepreneurial spirit is Maddie Booth, founder of Scrubbee, a sustainable skincare brand.

Hey Maddie! Tell us a bit about your company.

Scrubbee is a sustainable skincare company that focuses on repurposing by-products for our ingredients to create a more circular cosmetic industry.

We launched in January 2020 with our first product line coffee face scrubs where we upcycle used coffee grounds from local cafes in Birmingham.

How did the idea for Scrubbee come about?

I struggled with my skin throughout my student years and could not find natural skincare alternatives that fit my monthly budget.

To solve this, I started making my own sustainable skincare products from accessible ingredients by researching and formulating using online guides.

It wasn’t until I wondered if there could be another use for my cafetière full of used coffee grounds every morning, that the idea for Scrubbee began!

If this was going to waste, how much is going to waste from coffee shops and cafés every single day?

Research shows that coffee-based skincare has so many benefits, such as fighting acne and regenerating skin cells. And not only this, by utilising upcycled ingredients, we can be more sustainable!

After a lot of learning and hundreds of recipes, Scrubbee has now arrived. We launched with a product line of four 100% vegan, cruelty-free and plastic-free coffee face scrubs.

Fantastic! How would you best describe your business philosophy?

We seek to do things better. Better for people and better for the planet.

What is the biggest mistake you've made as an entrepreneur?

To be honest, I think every mistake I make is my biggest one, and they just seem to be able to keep growing. In reality, it is all about mindset.

Instead of seeing them as mistakes see them as learning points, and that may be hard to do, but trust me, if it's one thing I've learnt is that I learn a hell of a lot more from the things I mess up on rather than the things I do well on.

That's a great way to look at it. What motivates you?

Proving to myself I can do it.

Can you share any practical tips or processes to help people work remotely?

Plan, plan, plan. Time block your entire working day and put in reminders to move, get up and make a coffee, drink water, have a relax.

Start your morning well, wake up early and take control of your morning. I always do one thing for me in the morning to make sure I let myself know that I am in control.

How do you keep your team aligned?

• Specific goals - we have very specific goals that are set every week and then we meet the next week to catch up on how we are doing.
• Be available - I make it clear to my team I am always there for them if they need my help and should never feel worried to ask for it.
• Rewards - show them how valued they are.

Speaking of rewards, do you have a share or option scheme in place? 

Yes one of the team owns a part of the company, she joined back last May as an unpaid intern with the option to gain shares and now she's earned them and will gain more in the future.

Do you have any pets? 

No, I wish! I don't have time for an animal.

And finally Maddie, what does a Friday night look like to you?

Cocktails with the girls definitely. I take my weekends very seriously and make sure I maximise them!

And so you should! Thanks for your time Maddie.