Australian - Ally Aldridge

Opportunity Night

My local ambassador for the brand posted on Facebook that Tropic was holding an event nearby for everyone to get together and learn more about the brand (there would be freebies). I decided that as the venue was easy to get to, it would be fun to do something grown up and for me. Together with a friend, on Tuesday, 15 May 2018, we attended to hear about how Tropics began.

The story

Susie Ma (the founder and creator) has quite a humble beginning. She moved to the UK and as a teen, she’d help out her mum at Camden market selling toys. Her family came from Australia and enjoyed creating their own beauty recipes with natural products.

One day, Susie bought some jam jars to market and mixed up a batch of her moisturiser and sold it at the stall for £20 a pot (this was a few decades ago and even for London that isn’t cheap) and they sold out fast! Susie and her family realised that she was onto something and she had to make more. Susie kept selling her jar until she had enough to help her mum buy her first home.

One of her friends told her about a TV show called The Apprentice where you pitch your product to sponsors. Susie got on the show but didn’t win. However, Lord Alan Sugar’s wife was so taken by the cream he was encouraged to reach out to her to work on a deal.

Most retail products have to be filled with certain chemicals to retain their shelf life. Susie didn’t want to do this as she wished to keep the products clear. This caused a problem and they had to find another way to market the brand without retail. Susie then went with a social selling platform.

She didn’t want her ambassadors to feel pressured into sales as she was confident her products would sell themselves. She allows her employees to work flexibly – they can work as much or as little as they want or are able to. This is very appealing to people with other commitments (like parents or carers) or those that wish to wind down but can’t get their state pension because the government have upped the age. It also appeals to those that love beauty and want to support an ethical brand.

Susie likes to reward all her ambassadors and there are prizes for her team at whatever level they are at. The ambassadors who came to the event shared with us their experience of the Glammies, free holidays and other perks for hitting a target. All of them spoke about how they don’t feel pressured or tied in.

We were told Susie is in the process of revamping the makeup to give it a new look. There are lots of people speculating that her next project will be a baby and child range. Although, many guests shared what products they already use on their kids (for example, the Frangipani body wash).

Reflecting

I must admit, after hearing the heartwarming story of how Tropics began and Susie’s values, I love the brand even more. I was very tempted to sign up as an ambassador but I am about to go on maternity leave so I think it is best I simply continue as a loyal customer for now.

If you have the ‘Think Dirty’ app, you will see that this Vegan, Organic and Cruelty-Free brand’s products are rated ‘0’ (the lowest) toxic level.

If you haven’t tried Tropic yet, you really should check them out.

My story with Tropic

If you follow my blog then you’ll be aware that I do love Tropics Organics. My first purchase was the Tropic Travel Essentials Set. This set came with:

Smoothing cleanser (50ml)
Vitamin toner (30ml)
Skin revive (15ml)
Organic elixir (10ml)
Lip love balm (10ml)
Bamboo face cloth

All the items fit in the little travel cotton bag that comes with the set. RRP £28

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWP46JJhSb9/?taken-by=redfae

I went on to buy the full-size versions of the cleaners, toner and moisturiser. When I placed the order, my local ambassador had a deal on. Everyone who placed an order that week got added to a raffle and they got 10% of all orders placed off their bill. This resulted in my getting most of my order for free!

My husband stole the moisturiser (RRP £22) and when it ran out he had the cheek to ask me to buy more. So, when I placed my order, I decided to treat myself to the Soothe The Senses body oil (RRP £28). My wedding flower was Frangipani so I’ve had my eye on this for a little while. Once again, my local ambassador had a deal on! When I received my order, I had a travel size version of the Wild Mint, Lime and Pineapple body wash and body puff.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwfDwZBFmy/?taken-by=redfae

My husband and I fought over who the body wash belongs to (friendly banter) and when it ran out my husband placed his own order for the full-size version (RRP £10) and treated himself to the Awaken Your Senses body oil!

My next purchases will likely be one (or more) of the following: