The Creative Entrepreneur - Anita Roddick - October 2024

Oct, 1 2024

It takes determination and a quick minded approach to run a successful enterprise. This month’s ‘Creative Entrepreneur’ is the founder of the highly successful Body Shop. Shops that changed the  cosmetic and natural beauty of ethical consumerism.

Please watch this 9 minute film on ‘How Anita Roddick Built the Body Shop’ –

As well has her incredible commitment to her business, Anita also got involved in philanthropic work. This included –

• Children on the Edge (1990) – helping manage the crisis of poor conditions in the overcrowded orphanages.
• Late 90’s – Angola Three  - raising international awareness of the case of African – American men who had spent two decades in solitary confinement. She supported appeals of their flawed convictions.
• 2003 – Development of Littlehampton Community School becoming a Business and Enterprise specialist school. Roddick donated funds towards it. In honour of her a new building was established ‘The Roddick Enterprise Centre’. The Littlehampton College also hosts 'Roddick Days' such as 'Day of Action' and 'One World'; these events allow students to give something back to their local community and learn about what is happening around them.

Forty years ago she received her first award -1984 – Veuve Clicquot – Businesses Woman of the Year. Twenty years later she achieved an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service – The Sage Colleges in 2004.

That same year The Body Shop had 1980 stores, serving more than 77 million customers throughout the world. It was voted the second most-trusted brand in the United Kingdom, and 28th top brand in the world.

The website is still active to this day –

https://www.thebodyshop.com/en-gb/?geo=true

If you’re local to Preston the store is open in the St. George’s Shopping Centre –

Tuesday – Sat – 9am – 5.30pm

Sun – 10.30am – 4.30pm

Her legacy will always be fondly remembered as someone who built a business, kept it thriving and her family is reminded of her impact every-time we see a Body Shop in our local town or city. Her philanthropic work compliments beautifully her devotion to her shops and how she sees an unjust world needing to be put right.

Anita leaves us with these inspiring words for any budding business person -

“Whatever you do, be different - that was the advice my mother gave me, and I can't think of better advice for an entrepreneur. If you're different, you will stand out.”

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger