2021 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021 Contact: Beth Noy Company: Plastic Freedom Web Address: www.plasticfreedom.co.uk Most Sustainable Start-Up Entrepreneur (North West England): Beth Noy here’s no denying that Beth Noy has been on a journey and from humble beginnings she has grown an entire plastic-free empire… all from the comfort of her spare room! Now, Plastic Freedom retails more than 3000 of the best plastic-free products in its huge online store, but the story of how it came into being is very different. Beth was working a full-time job and enjoyed a side ‘hobby’ of finding and supplying plastic-free items to a small amount of people. “I literally started with a bedside table filled with toothbrushes and stock from my favourite brands and invested about £300 of my own money into my first load of stock,” she explains. “Every one sold out in the first weekend and I had to frantically buy more in the evening whilst away with work!” It was at this point that Beth realised that she was not alone in her desire for change in the world, and it was here that her journey really began. For the first year of operation, Plastic Freedom was still being run alongside Beth’s normal full-time job. It was a whirlwind of a time, with very little sleep, and lots of hard work. By chance, she saw a unit available near her home in Southport and she knew it was time to make the move. Fortunately for Beth, she worked for her Father who encouraged his daughter to follow her passion – and with that, she moved on to bigger and better things. “This just shows the power we have to really make changes,” enthuses Beth. “I started Plastic Freedom with a very limited number of products and now I have so many companies approaching me about stocking their plastic free items that we have a warehouse full!” Beth set about building her empire, employing staff members to join her team, who she describes as “great humans”, and adding more items to her ever-expanding product line. During lockdown, Beth realised that she needed to do something for herself – having always been passionate about the ocean and the T protection of it, she felt she needed to be more connected to it and to people fighting for its survival. This prompted her to up sticks and move down to Newquay in Cornwall and run the business remotely from there. “I have only been down there for a short amount of time and already doors have opened for my business, my creative mind is flowing and I feel even more inspired than ever to keep going!” Recently, Beth was awarded the prestigious accolade of Most Sustainable Start-Up Entrepreneur (North West England): Beth Noy in the Acquisition International Influential Businesswoman Awards 2021, and she really couldn’t be happier. “Thinking back to last year when I was still working on my own, from my spare room at home to now having full team working with me, who support everything I do, I couldn’t even dream of making this move without their help, support and love! “I cannot wait to see where the future of the plastic free movement is going and you will always be with me on the journey to see behind the scenes, the struggles, the wins and all the fun in between!” What started as a hobby in her spare room has grown into a plastic-free kingdom for Beth Noy. We chat to her about her journey and how she has built her business up in just 12 months. Jul21129