Eco-friendly business Go For Zero aims to inspire consumers on sustainability

A Sunshine Coast mother of two is inspiring others to make more environmentally friendly choices in the home as her eco start-up takes off in just three years.

Within three years a Sunshine Coast mum has gone from storing products in her garage to making a seven-figure revenue with her popular eco start-up business.

Go For Zero was founded by Ellie Degraeve in 2018 from her bedroom after she learnt about the harsh chemicals commonly used in skin care products following the birth of her youngest daughter.

The mother of two was stunned by the lack of information about the ingredients used in everyday items and the knowledge gap among many on how to live more sustainably.

This led her to establish the business as a pop-up in Caloundra where she sold outsourced environmentally friendly items stored in her garage.

Now her successful business is based out of a 320sq m Kunda Park warehouse and has a following of more than 37,000 on Instagram.

Go For Zero founder Ellie Degraeve

Ms Degraeve manufactures up to 30 of her own products including dish and laundry bars, toothpaste, baking mats and shampoo bars.

Last year she turned over a seven-figure revenue and has projected a 100 per cent increase for 2022.

Mrs Degraeve said she has willingly sacrificed growth opportunities of extending her business internationally to ensure Go For Zero’s operations were using as little to no waste as possible.

“For me it comes down to values because we really want to support local businesses and in terms of sustainability it makes no sense for me to ship our products overseas,” Mrs Degraeve said.

“Even though I know we would have a big customer base out there I want the business to be truly sustainable and do right by that. I can understand why companies look to sell overseas to make more profit, but we’re trying other ways to continue growing.”

Go For Zero has grown to stock an extensive range of everyday items with a focus on toxin-free body care products packed in reusable, compostable and easily recyclable materials.

Ellie Degraeve has her own pop-up stall business Go For Zero, a toxic-free company. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

The start-up has fulfilled more than 40,000 orders nationwide in three years.

Mrs Degraeve said her “honest and transparent” approach to how she runs her business has enabled her to create a growing customer base and drive her altruistic goal of informing people about the importance of sustainability for the environment.

“The main reason why we’ve been successful is because we educate our customers and listen to them all the time,” she said.

“I do Facebook and Instagram polls to find out what they want and need, I post videos on there and also have a blog on our website where I share ideas on how people can reduce waste and the benefits of sustainably made products,” Mrs Degraeve said.

“It can be just starting with a reusable bottle but that can be the starting point for people to make more ethical choices because those little steps create a ripple effect and encourages you to look at the other things.”

Go For Zero won the state award in the promoting sustainability category at the 2022 Telstra Best of Business awards and is up for the national title.

Originally published as Eco-friendly business Go For Zero aims to inspire consumers on sustainability