Being LGBTQ-owned shapes Dr Botanicals’ approach to product development and how it uses resources to make the world a better place, says Founder Richard Walker.




2020 was a challenging year for many businesses. Was it for Dr Botanicals, and how are things now?
I think no matter the business, 2020 was challenging for everyone. Sadly, we’ve seen so many great companies close down and we can only thank our customers, old and new, for supporting us during this prolonged and difficult period. As a digital-first brand, we’ve embraced the opportunity for growth fueled by the increasing demand for a first-class online consumer experience.

Your brand has been growing its presence in North America and the US for the past several years. Most recently added is Walgreens.com. Tell us about this new outlet?
Our launch and partnership with Walgreens are a major milestone in our mission to grow and compete as a global brand. Walgreens is an iconic household name which is our aim for Dr Botanicals, too. Expect to see some new skin care products exclusive to Walgreens in the coming months.

Let’s talk about the concept of “clean” beauty. How do you define it?
Dr Botanicals makes purely vegan, natural formulations with sustainable packaging. That’s what “clean” means to us, but more than that, we want our customers to have complete confidence in our brand. When parents are shopping for their family, we’re aiming for a level of trust that means they don’t even need to check the ingredients and worry if their kids can use our products or not. At its core, Dr Botanicals creates products completely encompassing all ages, genders and skin types, because everyone needs effective skin care. Clean beauty is about being socially responsible, so we always seek opportunities to donate to worthy causes and lessen our carbon footprint.

You have a goal to be carbon free by 2025. How much progress have you made toward that?
This is a daring feat for any company, and one we take very seriously. We are continually reviewing, improving and evolving our formulations and packaging to take us one step closer to being carbon-free and fully sustainable. We believe doing a little bit every day will lead to our goal and a strengthened environment.

Does being an LGBTQ+ owned company impact how you operate your business?
Absolutely. It shapes our approach to product development as well as how we choose to use our resources to better the world we live in. Being able to donate to LGBTQIA+ communities is a driving force for our business. For Pride season, we’re launching a limited-edition version of our Lemon Superfood All-in-one Rescue Butter (above) to champion these communities, and raise awareness for charities striving for equality we still don’t have. We aim to raise $100,000 for the charities that make a difference to the lives of people in the LGBTQIA+ community. 

INDIE TO INDIE Tamara Mayne, owner of Brooklyn Candle Studio, asks: What would you advise an entrepreneur not to do when starting their business? “Don’t do it on your own! So many entrepreneurs try to change the world on their own. As noble as that intention may be, everyone needs help and expertise that comes from elsewhere. Whether from a team, a mentor or an external company, there’s so much value in partnering with like-minded people to help create a truly successful business and product. Case in point; our sister company SRG Brands uses 10 years of industry experience to help new brands break into new markets.  Partnerships make for stronger and consistent business growth.”  — Richard Walker