From veganism and crafting, to design and travel, we catch up with Charlie Fowler, the woman behind MOA.
08
Mar
Katherine Chambers
Celebrating International Women’s Day, we’ve put together a Women in Beauty series delving into the lives of inspirational women heading up the beauty industry. Here, we catch up with Charlie Folwer, Creative and Managing Director at MOA.
What helps you relax and unwind from work?
Going cross country running with my dog Foxy several times a week to help relax and destress, if I don’t find the time or put it off, I really notice the difference in my mood. I go through spells of doing yoga practise which makes me feel so strong and vibrant, it’s so good to stretch! I also love a relaxing bath in the evening and cups of tea throughout the day.
What is your daily mantra?
Smile and remember to enjoy the little things… and if it doesn’t bring you joy, then it needs to go!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Travel more…I would have loved to have travelled when I was younger, but I left home early and was always broke, so it wasn’t possible. I’m trying to make up for it now.
What’s next for MOA?
We have lots of new products in the making which is always an exciting, but lengthy process. I love the alchemy of creating new products and coming up with a story and visual idea to match, I design and draw all the packaging, so I particularly enjoy that part. We are also looking at ways to use less packaging and recycle or reuse our packaging.
What gives you strength?
It sounds a bit obvious and boring, but now I’m older eating really healthily and doing regular exercise makes me feel on top of my game, full of energy and extra productive.
What has been your biggest professional hurdle?
Probably juggling motherhood and two children, it’s much easier now they are older, but I work full time now and with running a business there’s no let up!
What has been your biggest professional (or personal) achievement?
Over the last couple of years MOA has earnt a loyal following of admirers and has become a more recognised brand. After so much hard work, it makes me feel incredibly proud of what I’ve created with our small team.
What do you do for fun?
Life is so busy, but I’m very sociable and relish time to catch up with old buddies over a glass or two. Many of us have children now and they seem to get along brilliantly, it’s so heart-warming. I love a good dance at a party. I have a silly sense of humour. Anything crafty is right up my street. Being outdoors in nature, running or gardening or whiling away a day barefoot in the sunshine is the best! I love going to festivals and being on holiday with my family is bliss!
What is your Desert island product (from your own brand!)
The Green Balm of course! This product is so multi-tasking and can solve a multitude of skin woes, I always take it on holiday and everywhere I go.
What woman has had the most influence in your life? Or who is the woman you most admire?
I miss my Grandmother, she had such a positive, cheerful personality, I think a lot of that generation did because of the war perhaps? She was also an artist and a keen gardener like me. Growing up, I was a massive fan of Madonna, Like a Virgin was my first album and I thought she was so cool. I don’t think her older tunes have lost any of their appeal and my daughter loves them too. The close females in my life help me all the time with problems and worries, I’m so lucky to have such a warm and loyal bunch around me.
If you ruled the world for one day, what universal law would you put in place?
I am horrified by the greed, corruption and cruelty of intensive farming. I would like to ban it, stop the deforestation, animal suffering amongst all the other atrocities it causes, whilst somehow making sure there wasn’t mass starvation in the process?! The world needs to change, which starts with us as individuals, I do feel we are becoming more conscious beings, I hope it’s not too late for the planet. I am really happy to see more support for small businesses. It’s great that the vegan movement seems to have gained huge momentum and is becoming more mainstream, which can only be a good thing for our health and for the planet.