We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Irete Hamdani. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Irete below.

Irete, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

After spending 25 years in a comfortable corporate job with a great salary, work-life balance, and supportive colleagues, I decided to take the leap and start my own business. As the founder of askBelynda, I have discovered a new sense of purpose and fulfillment.

What motivates me every day is the knowledge that the work I’m doing is making a positive impact on the world. When I wake up in the morning, I have a clear goal in mind, and I know that every decision I make is helping to create a more sustainable future for generations to come. The sense of fulfillment that comes from making a difference in the world is truly indescribable.

While there are certainly challenges that come with being a business owner, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Even when I’m facing long hours and high levels of stress, the knowledge that I’m building something meaningful and impactful keeps me going. I’m proud to be the founder of askBelynda, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for my business and the impact we can make in the world.

Irete, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As someone who is passionate about the environment and the impact our daily choices have on the planet, I founded askBelynda to help consumers easily find and confidently buy sustainable products. Our first offering is a FREE Google Chrome Extension that can be downloaded to your browser, and it pops up with trusted, sustainable alternatives whenever you search for products on Amazon.com in the categories of Household, Personal Care, and Clothing. We’re constantly expanding our offerings, so you have a wider selection of eco-friendly products to choose from. Currently, our extension operates on Amazon.com in the U.S.

At askBelynda, we understand that the majority of American consumers are deeply concerned about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for consumers to identify truly sustainable products, as researching the sustainability of a product requires time, expertise, and effort – something many shoppers simply don’t have the resources to do.

That’s where we come in. We put a lot of effort into our vetting process and look at a broad range of criteria – including the ingredients, manufacturing process, shipping, packaging, and also at how the companies treat their employees, how committed they are to diversity and inclusion, and so on. We want to make sure that the products we recommend are truly sustainable, and that we can back up our claims with hard data.

What sets askBelynda apart from other companies in this space is our commitment to transparency, and to educating consumers about the impact their purchasing decisions have on the planet. We believe that by providing consumers with accurate information and a wide selection of sustainable products to choose from, we can make a real difference in the world.

For me, this business is deeply personal. It was my own journey into living a more sustainable lifestyle that inspired me to create askBelynda, and I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve already made in helping consumers make more sustainable choices. What I want potential clients and followers to know about our brand is that we are committed to making sustainable living accessible to everyone, and that we’re constantly innovating to make our platform even better.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is crucial to the success of any business. At askBelynda, I have the privilege of working with a diverse team of highly motivated freelancers, interns, and volunteers from different backgrounds, ages, and geographies. As a team, we share a common goal of promoting sustainability and helping consumers make eco-friendly choices. The higher purpose of our work attracts people who are passionate about making a difference, and this makes motivating the team a lot easier.

To maintain high morale, I make an effort to create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported. I encourage open communication, active participation, and feedback from everyone on the team. I also believe in celebrating small wins, acknowledging and rewarding individual and team achievements, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Lastly, I believe in leading by example. As the founder of askBelynda, I strive to embody the values and principles of our business, such as sustainability, transparency, and inclusivity. By demonstrating these values in my actions and decision-making, I inspire the team to do the same and create a culture of shared responsibility, accountability, and mutual respect.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that really illustrates my resilience is the journey of askBelynda’s marketing efforts.

Initially, I put my faith in a consultant and then in an agency that both over-promised and under-delivered. Left with disappointing results, I decided to take control of the marketing myself. I hired a social media manager for content, and besides that I am mainly running it on my own. I’m working with micro-influencers directly, managing paid ads, and exploring new platforms like TikTok and YouTube shorts. While there’s still a lot for me to learn, I am confident in my capabilities, and going all in with hands-on work will put me in a much better place when it comes to hiring someone to take it forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.askbelynda.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askbelynda/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/askbelynda
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/askbelynda/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/askBelynda
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@askbelynda
• Other: Most important! Our Sustainable Shopping Google Chrome Extension: https://tinyurl.com/askBelynda-Voyage