What impressed you to pursue a profession within the packaging business?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – In 2019, my co-founder Jevgeni and I had been working an e-commerce retailer, the place we ran headfirst into the packaging drawback. Not solely was there simply a lot plastic, however there weren’t many sustainable alternate options out there, particularly to bubble wrap.
Then I learn an article saying that in Europe, as much as 90% of sheep wool goes to waste. That provides as much as about 200,000 tons of coarse wool that goes unused within the EU yearly. This text was written by Katrin Kabun, a textile designer and sheep wool knowledgeable.
We had been shocked to see this information for the reason that article additionally defined how sturdy, versatile and multifunctional wool is. Along with being elastic, it additionally regulates temperatures and humidity.
That very same week, we began Woola with Jevgeni and Katrin to scale back the demand for single-use plastic packaging by providing a greater different – protecting packaging created from leftover wool.
What is without doubt one of the largest challenges you’ve confronted as a younger chief within the packaging business?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – We have now been working Woola since 2020, so the “disaster” is the one macroeconomic state we all know of. In terms of challenges on the corporate degree, the fixed state of disaster stays, but it’s simpler to deal with since we will really have an effect on it.
For me personally, the function of a supervisor really got here as an disagreeable shock. I’ve all the time seen myself as an entrepreneur who desires to construct options and make things better which might be damaged. I don’t wish to be on calls, I wish to work quietly at my desk.
After we got here up with the thought of Woola, issues began to select up quick, and all of a sudden I used to be answerable for tens of workers. My earlier focus for “constructing” was now taken over by issues like HR, efficiency evaluations, contracts, and fundraising. This was an enormous adjustment and I discovered the duty of main individuals probably the most difficult. I feel there isn’t a variety of logic in it – an excellent chief has to face for the corporate’s finest pursuits and this additionally means unpopular selections. So for those who do your job nicely and make tough selections, you’re more likely to encounter some detrimental reactions as a consequence.
Should you might change one factor in regards to the packaging business, what would it not be and why?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – We have now to cease burning fossil fuels to make packaging.
Plastic has two main issues: reliance on fossil fuels and single-use mindset. The availability chain is constructed to be linear, so the dear materials we drain from Earth’s crust turns to rubbish after only one use. Fossil gasoline reliance and single-use mindset are so intertwined because of plastic that we will’t break air pollution and emissions into two separate issues. Plastic is the issue.
How do you see the function of future leaders like your self in shaping the course of the business?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – We have to flip the packaging business the wrong way up. And to try this, now we have to do a variety of issues in a different way from what has been carried out earlier than. Younger leaders can have a look at the challenges we face with a recent set of eyes, and act with out even being conscious of business norms.
What recommendation would you give to younger professionals who’re simply beginning their careers in packaging?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – My recommendation is to cease making ready for the launch of your individual enterprise and simply do it. You’ll by no means be totally prepared, so there’s no must deal with having the proper marketing strategy, funding technique, monetary projections, workplace house and so forth. Simply take step one as quickly as attainable and get your thought out to the purchasers. You’ll be able to determine the whole lot out later.
At Woola, we frequently say “generally lose, all the time win” as a result of that’s the one sort of mindset that retains us going and successful.
What does it imply to you to be chosen as a Future Leaders?
Anna-Liisa Palatu – Being named a Future Chief provides us recognition and credibility. It’s fairly one thing that every one the Future Leaders chosen share a imaginative and prescient of sustainability. Now, it’s on us to result in actual change and begin a motion of sustainable packaging.
