When did you start your business?
We started Roccoco 10 years ago from my kitchen bench. The idea came 2 years prior, but it took me some time to research and plan the launch of the brand.

What was the inspiration behind your work/business?
The inspiration was to create products that filled a much-needed void in the industry. I had struggled with my own acne prone skin since my teens and had been unable to find anything on the market that adequately addressed both my acne and also my sensitive skin. I was inspired by natural ingredients as they are so multifunctional, allowing me to treat many things at once in the skin.
All 3 of my children had eczema and this also prompted me to create products for sensitive skins. Unable to find a solution for their skins I developed products specifically for atopic skins.

What are you most excited about in your work/business?
What excites me most in my business is growth and expansion. Seeing the business develop and reach new markets. For me it is about our ability to impact lives. Without the expansion we are not reaching our full potential.
Research and development is the other area that excites me and lights me up. Solving skin issues that have been previously not able to be resolved without side effects is humbling and fulfilling. Actinic keratosis has been my particular interest given the high rate of skin cancers that occur in Australia.

What has been the most challenging thing about starting your work/business?
The most challenging thing has been a lack of mentorship to start with. Often we make mistakes along the way as mentorship may be out of our reach. I learnt the hard way with growing my business after my first business failed. I took the lessons and restarted. Getting great advice without a hefty price tag is the most challenging thing at the beginning of growth. I used to instead read books and lean on the knowledge of authors. It was where I began my journey of growth with business acumen.

What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a work/business?
Just go for it. It is better to not live a life of regret. You will never have everything lined up. Do your research and if possible, get some advice and just begin. None of us know what we are doing when we first begin, but you learn and grow along the way. Make sure you are passionate about what you are doing and that you have a higher purpose. This will sustain you on the journey as it is never easy.

Why did you enter the Women Changing the World Awards?
I entered because my mission is to change the way people feel about themselves. The awards where a Global award and it would be a reflection of my impact if I did win. I was honoured that I did.

What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
What I enjoyed most was meeting other businesswomen who were also changemakers. I have since formed friendships, with some of these women and we are now doing business together. It is inspiring to see others making a difference in different areas of business. I also loved meeting the Duchess of York and Tererai Trent. That was a huge honour. You felt like royalty attending. The place that was chosen was very regal.

What surprised you most about the awards?
What I enjoyed most was meeting other businesswomen who were also changemakers. I have since formed friendships, with some of these women and we are now doing business together. It is inspiring to see others making a difference in different areas of business. I also loved meeting the Duchess of York and Tererai Trent. That was a huge honour. You felt like royalty attending. The place that was chosen was very regal.

How did the awards help you in your work/business?
After the awards I got a lot of recognition from my colleagues and those who I do business with. It changed the perception of my company. Perception is key for potential business deals and contracts. It has definitely made an impact on my business. I was treated differently after the awards.

What advice would you give to other women thinking about entering the awards?
Entering awards is a good reflection on what your purpose of your business is and also how far you have come. Whether you win or not, enter. The whole process of it is great for affirming what you are doing and to congratulate yourself on all of your achievements.

What has been the best thing about starting your own work/business?
The freedom and ability to help others as I choose. This is truly what I love the most. I get to decide how I spend my time. I often will make things for people and not charge them, simply because I desire to help.
I also love that it allows me to spend more time with my husband and family. They get to travel with me.

What’s happening next in your work/business?
We are fully automating our factory so we can scale production. This will be crucial for breaking into new markets and for growth. We are launching our Indigenous line in January 2024. I am excited to see this come to life.

What are your big plans for the future?
Entry into the Canadian and UK market. This will be a huge leap for us.

How can we connect with you?

https://www.facebook.com/roccocobotanicals

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacinegreenwood/

https://www.instagram.com/roccocobotanicals/