In Conversation with Oceanbluu
OceanBluu was founded with a simple mission: produce healthy, sustainable, unique design bedding, pyjamas & underwear that are soft and safe for your children and our planet.
"We chose the name OceanBluu, as we got most of our inspiration to start this journey by appreciating the oceans and their value. They connect us all and are part of our true treasures to be protected. Many of our prints are Ocean inspired whether it’s our classic humpback prints or pelicans, cheeky sharks or turtles. They all come from the Ocean."
Can you explain to us how the idea for your business came to you and how the whole process kicked off?
Roi: 4 years ago, my wife was diagnosed with a serious health condition. That moment changed everything. We saw the importance of organic farming and a more natural and sustainable lifestyle to maintain a heathy body and a healthy planet. We set out on a mission to find organic, non-toxic bed sheets for ourselves and our 3-year-old daughter. We had three simple requirements, the sheets had to be Organic, Fairtrade certified and have a transparent supply chain. To our surprise, most of the bed sheets labelled as made in EU were actually only sewn in Europe. The origin of the cotton was often unclear and the supply chain was so long, it made it impossible to trace it. This is where the idea of organic Fairtrade bedding was born. We set out to create fun design, organic and Fairtrade certified bed sheets with a completely transparent supply chain.
What were the biggest challenges you faced when bringing the idea to market?
Roi: Our number one priority is to make sustainable, high quality products to be enjoyed by our customers. At the moment the market is abundant with cheap items with very short lives that lead to very big landfills. Many bed sheets made for children have appealing movie characters yet are dyed with toxic dyes and made from pesticide filled cotton. Since we spend a third of our lives in our beds, it is crucial to have a good night’s rest without inhaling toxins for 8 hour straight. At first sight it seemed that the price would be the biggest challenge, however, in a market where human lives have little meaning and our soils and rivers are polluted endlessly, the true price of these products is much higher. From our experience, we have learned that the modern customers do care about their children’s health and the quality of the products they choose to purchase. People are looking to be more sustainable in a world where it’s no longer a matter of choice, rather a necessity.
Where do you think good ideas come from and what inspires you?
Cynthia: Human beings are extremely curious. I think most good ideas come from curiosity and the need to solve issues when we see them. When we arrived in India, to build relationships with our farmers and factory workers, we saw street children stripped from the most basic human needs. We knew immediately we needed to help in whatever way we could, and we knew most people would feel the same way. This is where the idea of the OneGivesOne Project was born. I think all of us understand that a child, no matter where, deserves clean air, water, food, safety and, yes, a clean pair of underwear. Our OneGivesOne Project enables our customers to shop with purpose, for every item purchased, OceanBluu gifts a pair of underwear to a child in need in India. We are here to bring about change, supporting organic farming, fair trade and the hygiene needs of the less fortunate is a good start and a great source of inspiration.
What are your company’s values and why are these things important to the business?
Roi: We value close relationships. Everybody involved in OceanBluu is like a family member. We know each other, talk with our factory workers daily and visit our farmers in harvesting season. We don’t want to be strangers. We find that nothing works better than kindness and true friendships wherever we turn. We have a true passion for sustainability and everyone involved in creation of OceanBluu products feels the same way. We are very grateful for that.
What is next for your brand?
Cynthia: We have set a goal to provide the estimated 20 million orphans in India with clean underwear to help with the hygiene crisis that millions face daily. Our OneGivesOne Project is at the heart of what we do and all the Oceanbluu items available today and in the future, will always be part of this life changing project. At the moment we offer bedding, sleepwear and underwear for children ages 2-8. We will widen our range and will offer beautiful healthy clothing also to older children, up to age 12.
What one piece of advice would you have for someone just starting out on their business journey or currently going through a setback?
Roi: I feel like, as long as you have a vision and a plan that is bigger than you, you can’t really go wrong. Success, in my opinion, is living your best life. My life goal is to leave the planet better than what it was like when I arrived.
What resources and tools do you use to remain productive or up-to-date on industry trends etc?
Cynthia: Our aim is not to catch up with all the fashion trends. The trend setting and fast fashion is currently destroying our planet and largely, affects peoples feeling of self-worth. We got to see the person behind the clothes. Clothing was meant to cover us up, keep us warm, feel soft against our skin. We aim to create more sustainable and comfortable pieces.
Website = https://oceanbluu.com
Instagram = @oceanbluuorganic