The Original Brand Rebel
Having worked in marketing for over 25 years, I’ve always been drawn to the power of disruptor brands, especially those that lead with real purpose and entrepreneurial spirit, that Sussex has in abundance.
Growing-up in Brighton, I was surrounded by bold, creative businesses choosing to do things differently. That early inspiration shaped my marketing career and ultimately led to the launch of Tide & Bloom, a brand and marketing consultancy on a mission to champion local businesses and help shape a more prosperous future for Sussex businesses and our local economy.
To celebrate the launch of Tide & Bloom, I wanted to recognise and say thank you to a local trailblazer who first sparked my brand love as a teenager in the 90s.
Dame Anita Roddick | Iconic Sussex trailblazer, eco-warrior and all-round girl boss
Anita Roddick, Founder of The Body Shop, was a true pioneer, unapologetically way ahead of her time. She passionately believed in fair trade and cruelty-free beauty products, building a business with strong principles focusing on empowering women and creating a more sustainable world.
With her first green painted shop opening in Brighton, in 1976, The Body Shop was always ahead of its time. From day one, Anita proudly challenged the norms of the cosmetics industry, stayed true to her values and introduced a radically new way of thinking when it comes to beauty. From refillable products and natural ingredients and those iconic green labels and branding.
Rumour has it she even reused refillable bottles from a local Sussex hospital, when first starting out.
Fast forward 15 years and Anita’s vision for The Body Shop had grown into a global brand with over 700 stores worldwide, continuing to challenge high-street giants like Boots and Superdrug, whilst inspiring a movement of more conscious consumers.
As a teenager growing-up in the 90s, Dame Anita Roddick made a lasting impression on me. At a time when many of us were critiquing our bodies, The Body shop refreshingly reminded us to celebrate them.
A weekend trip to the local Brighton store quickly became a firm teenage staple with friends. Sniffing and spritzing your favourite natural smelly, picking your mixture of coloured bath balls, debating what scent to choose. For me, it was the iconic White Musk body spray and if you were lucky, you’d upgrade to the deluxe perfume oil. Every shopping trip wasn’t complete without a visit to The Body Shop, with a reminder that brands could stand for something meaningful and every purchase was helping create real change.
Today, we welcome The Body Shop's Head Office back to Brighton. I’m excited to see how this next chapter unfolds and how the team revitalises the brand and its compassionate storytelling for a new generation.
Tips to help your business bloom
Stay true to your brand values, especially when it feels hard to.
Anita Roddick reminds us that strong brands aren’t built on products or services alone, but on the values they champion and the trusted stories they tell. That belief is at the heart of Tide & Bloom, helping local businesses define what they stand for and shaping their brand narrative to create an unforgettable positioning, to attract more of their ideal customers in more meaningful ways.
If you’re feeling brand rebellious and looking for brand and marketing advice:
