An Interview With Wanda Malhotra
1. Less is Absolutely More: Consume less, choose quality and longevity, use only what is needed.
2. Respect the source (Mother Nature) so she can continue to share her gifts.
3. When something is taken from Nature find a way to give it back 3-fold.
4. There is more money to be made with veteran trees standing, don’t cut the trees.
5. Pick up trash and be sure others see you do it… Be the change!
As we face an unprecedented environmental crisis, the need for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. This series seeks to spotlight the innovative minds and passionate advocates who are leading the charge in environmental conservation and sustainable practices. We aim to explore the most effective strategies, breakthrough technologies, and transformative policies that are shaping a more sustainable future for our planet. As a part of this series, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Anna Ayers.
As CEO and Co-Founder of Rahua Rainforest Grown Beauty, Anna Ayers has always had an appreciation for the boundless beauty found within nature. That admiration is what has driven Anna to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in natural and organic beauty today. Regarded as a pioneer, and natural beauty innovator, Anna has helped set new standards within beauty and hair care with the creation of Rahua Beauty.
Thank you so much for joining us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’?
I moved to NYC two weeks after 9/11 to begin my career in fashion and trend forecasting, soon after I met my future husband and business partner in his hair salon. We met at an interesting time when the world was changing and there was much uncertainty. Fabian was rethinking his life path and I had moved to NYC after college to start the next phase of my life. We both were creatives and had an optimist perspective on what the world could be. He told me about his home country Ecuador and his travels to the Amazon rainforest and the issues that were present there with destruction and injustices. Eventually I had the opportunity to go to the Amazon where my life would be changed, and my purpose revealed. Fabian and I started a nonprofit together Ecoagents, and we started raising funds for the communities in the rainforest and bringing education and information to help empower them as the guardians of rainforest. Thereafter we founded Rahua Beauty a rainforest grown hair and beauty company to preserve the Amazon rainforest, and sourced symbiotic Rahua oil to demonstrate the transformative power of plant derived ingredients.
Can you share with us the most interesting story from your career? Can you tell us what lessons or ‘takeaways’ you learned from that?
I believe one of the most interesting parts of my career has been the beautiful change I have witnessed the beauty industry; and with Rahua we have been right in the middle of it — pushing this Planet and Nature First Transformation forward. Lifting the standards from conventional, synthetic, cosmetic coverups to powerfully purposeful plants that bring happiness from within and on a multitude of levels. The takeaway: great change can happen, and it all starts with just one positive step forward.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Be a Positive Example, Creative Problem Solving, Consistency, Driven.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that might help people?
We are currently expanding the acres of land in the Amazon Rainforest being protected and presently Rahua is supporting the preservation of 700,000 acres and counting. The Amazon Rainforest provides oxygen to the world and sequesters massive amounts of CO2 crucial for humanity. The Amazon Forest is home to biodiverse flora and fauna and the Indigenous People with vast wisdom of nature and plants. Amazonia is the origin of medicines of today and the future.
What pivotal moment led you to dedicate your career to sustainability, and how has that shaped your approach to environmental challenges?
After traveling to the Amazon rainforest seeing the beauty of the wild land, the abundance of nature and the wisdom of the people that live there I knew that I wanted to be part of its preservation. With preservation at the forefront of our work at Rahua this allows for innovation and creativity and directs business decisions to reshape industry norms.
Could you describe a groundbreaking project or initiative you’ve been involved in that significantly contributed to sustainability?
Providing legal and financial help to Indigenous People and Communities so that they may attain the private and collective title of their own land.
How do you navigate the balance between economic growth and environmental preservation in your sustainability strategies? What emerging technologies or innovations do you believe hold the most promise for advancing sustainability and why?
Economical growth vs. environmental preservation, those are two completely different ways of thinking. How to resolve the mismatch: First, find a line of business that depends on abundant Nature for its survival, then resolve a need better than anyone, now build your business around that. Once you get that, you have found a good balance between profits and environment preservation. Regarding Technologies: As an eco-minded entrepreneur I think that many technologies are moving in the right direction. However at this time in history and to achieve demanded results, we happen to need more nature centric businesses, as well as fast recyclability concepts. We need companies that “make it their business”, to truly eliminate impact in nature. I like easy 3D printing with recycled filaments. I like recycled fabrics in fashion, and there are many other simple ideas. We have not gotten to a good momentum yet but things are moving in the right direction. Time will tell.
Based on your research or experience, can you please share your “5 Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet”?
1. Less is Absolutely More: Consume less, choose quality and longevity, use only what is needed.
2. Respect the source (Mother Nature) so she can continue to share her gifts.
3. When something is taken from Nature find a way to give it back 3-fold.
4. There is more money to be made with veteran trees standing, don’t cut the trees.
5. Pick up trash and be sure others see you do it… Be the change!
In your view, what are the key steps individuals, communities, and governments need to take to achieve a more sustainable future? Use less. Make it cool to use less. Create incentives for people and companies to use less.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂 My new movement would be called: Action for Happiness. The challenge would be to take regular and daily actions to make the people around you smile, share happiness always.
What is the best way for our readers to continue to follow your work online? Stay close with us @RahuaBeauty on Instagram & Tiktok and check out rahua.com
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for the time you spent on this. We wish you only continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.
The Future Is Green: Anna Ayers Of Rahua Beauty On Their Top Strategies for a Cleaner Planet was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.