Innovation

Founded in 2021, Dwellbeing is driven by a deep commitment to people and the environment. From its inception, the company has been a staunch advocate for sustainable development, and this ethos is woven into every aspect of its operations. Standing out in the sustainable product market, Dwellbeing has garnered attention for its unwavering dedication to crafting homemade products using only upcycled and organic materials.

Dwellbeing offers a diverse selection of eco-friendly items within its product range, including liquid soap, bar soap, candles, and disinfectants. What sets them apart is their innovative approach to packaging. Liquid soap bottles, disinfectant bottles, and candle jars are all ingeniously upcycled, diverting waste from landfills and breathing new life into discarded containers. On the other hand, their bar soaps are carefully crafted from organic materials, ensuring a gentle impact on the environment. As the business's personal care line expanded, their inventive ideas developed, producing remarkable items like scarves made from Recycled P-E-T bottles.

"I don't want to use regular bottles, [such as] regular plastic. [I thought to myself], it has to have a bigger impact, [not just something you buy, hide, and use again]. So I thought of recycling using discarded bottles". This short quote from Miss Che encapsulates the company's driving force - a strong desire to create a lasting positive impact through sustainable innovation.

Dwellbeing's dedication to sustainable practices extends to its commitment to social responsibility. By embracing homemade and upcycled production, the company creates opportunities for local artisans and disadvantaged communities, empowering them economically and socially.

"Transforming Lives, One Upcycled Step at a Time 🌱💚 Introducing Dwellbeing - Where Sustainability Meets Empowerment!

Inspiration

In naming the business, Miss Che opted for a name that would set them apart from the excess use of the "eco" for calling environmentally-inclined enterprises; hence, the owner settled on "Dwellbeing." The name is a testament to their unwavering dedication to sustainability and underscores the concept of creating living spaces where personal well-being, the community, and the environment thrive.

The founder's son's health condition was pivotal in the birth of the company's first-ever product. Dealing with Eczema and Allergic Rhinitis, her friend formulated a liquid soap that worked wonders for her child. "Why don't we start with this?" At that point, Miss Che already knew where and how to start. With the hopes of furthering the liquid soap formulation's potential, Miss Che envisioned launching it during the Christmas season of 2021, marking their launch as a business.

The idea of upcycling discarded bottles for their products' housing stems from realizing how wasteful it is to set aside liquor bottles just after a single use. "In our residence, we have a pile of random stuff, and most of them are bottles, and that's where the idea started. I started by looking at the shape, and that's when the first design came out," Miss Che shared how their liquid soap's first container was created.

The unwavering commitment and hard work of the back end of the team of Dwellbeing fuel their passion for making a positive impact on communities through unique skills. Despite the company's focus on sustainable livelihood, Miss Che emphasizes that collaborative partnerships must be based on mutual agreement, not charity-driven. "I believe that you really have to find the right partner community, wherein you have to have the same heart, mind, and the same goal that if you want to make this work and give livelihood to your people, then you have to have the discipline," Miss Che shared with the group. Further inspiration for Dwellbeing's business approaches is also rooted in their partnership with Project PEARLS and Hand and Heart (deaf-mute workers).

At the core of Dwellbeing's continued success lie its pursuit of personal fulfillment, love for the environment, and dedication to empowering communities. These values drive Dwellbeing to continue developing a business that provides innovative products and positively impacts the lives of others and the world around them.

Overall impact

"If I want to do it now, I said, I want something that would give me a sense of fulfillment or something that I will look forward to. It's for long-term; something that I could pass onto my children if I want to, so that project has to have a heart," These are the words from Miss Che as she discusses the humble beginnings of Dwellbing Inc. and how it became the vision and impact of her passion. Despite being a small business, the innovation's overall impact is shown to us as multi-faceted. It extends to short-term and long-term effects encompassing the environmental, social, and economic aspects. Dwellbeing's mission connects to the innovations that allow them to advocate for environmental responsibility, empower marginalized communities, and give back to society.

The short-term effects of Dwellbeing's innovation were immediately evident as the company ventured into upcycling discarded bottles to create all-natural liquid soap containers, candle jars, cheese plates, and even more. Through this innovation, they have significantly contributed to the circular economy in the short term. This innovation also aided them in increasing their customer base and even spreading awareness of being environmentally conscious among their consumers, who eagerly embrace the brand's eco-friendly approach.

In the long term, we see their impact transcends even environmental preservation and extends to empowering needy communities. By collaborating with social enterprises like Project Pearls and G.R.O.W PH, the company offered livelihood opportunities to marginalized groups, including deaf individuals and persons with disabilities. As these communities gain economic independence and social inclusion, their testimonials show how the transformative power of Miss Che's social mission can create long-term impacts on society.

Dwellbeing takes pride in sourcing its materials from local communities. In the interview, she mentioned many challenges with partnering with communities. Despite all the challenges, however, her passion and willingness to help the community soared above them all. She emphasized the value of "cradle-to-cradle" work, as both parties should make a significant effort to achieve their collective goals. Workers from different regions, such as community farmers in Bacolod and makers of Inabel Hand Towels, have also been a part of the flourishing journey of Dwellbeing. She said, "...[We are] a really big community helping each other.".

We can all see that their innovative model has contributed to a cleaner and greener planet and ignited a passion for sustainability and social responsibility among consumers and businesses alike. As more people embrace Dwellbeing's ethos, pathos, and logos, they recognize the potential for positive change through conscious consumer choices. By combining innovation, environmental awareness, and community empowerment, Dwellbeing is an inspiring example of how businesses can thrive while making a difference for people and the planet.

Business benefit

Being an enterprise launched during the pandemic, Miss Che acknowledged that Dwellbeing initially had few to no customers during the earlier parts of their journey. However, with a solid commitment to their story and innovation, they managed the business's risks and kept afloat just before their social media marketing breakthrough. A single Instagram post came as a door opening for the company to establish itself in the market as the pioneer for upcycling in the Philippines. With this, the company gained ground as it received many business opportunities through corporate events, weddings, or even birthdays, where it received bulk orders to distribute its products as giveaways in alignment with its CSR. Through this, Dwellbeing was able to broaden its customer base and scale the business as these events spread its name far and wide.

As the company extended its client reach, along came the working opportunities with potential partner businesses and communities. These partnerships complimented the upscaling of the business as they became instrumental in developing more sustainable sourcing for materials and labor for the company. Moreover, working closely with partner communities allowed the company to improve its products and develop a stronger commitment to sustainability.

Though the company is constantly showing its valiant efforts to better society by helping neighboring communities, Miss Che emphasized that the success of these partnerships relies on the cooperation of all parties involved. "It's a business and not charity," and at the end of the day, the business requires the collective effort of everyone to remain a significant contributor to society. By striking the right balance between social impact and financial sustainability, Dwellbeing was able to diversify its product offerings. They expanded from offering liquid soap to selling scarves made from recycled PET bottles and further expanded their range to include sustainable home products that promote a conscious lifestyle.

Social and environmental benefit

Dwellbeing's commitment to upcycling has already significantly impacted, with more than ten-thousand bottles given a new life instead of ending up in landfills or oceans. This approach reduces waste and sets an inspiring example for other companies, showing that creating beautiful and functional products while being environmentally conscious is possible.

However, Dwellbeing's positive influence goes far beyond upcycling. At the heart of Dwellbeing's mission is empowerment. Their products symbolize resilience and redemption, sending a powerful message that discarded materials still hold immense value and potential. This message extends beyond the products, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for individuals facing challenges and disadvantages. Through its engaging social media presence, Dwellbeing uses its platform to uplift and validate those who might feel marginalized or disheartened due to their circumstances. By highlighting stories of people overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness, the company fosters community and encourages collaboration among its followers.

In today's world, where environmental concerns and social inequality are pressing issues, Dwellbeing's integrated approach to sustainability and social responsibility sets a commendable example for other businesses. By promoting conscious consumerism and actively supporting vulnerable communities, they demonstrate that profit and positive impact can go hand in hand. Dwellbeing shows that companies have the power to be catalysts for change, moving towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all. As they continue to expand their reach and influence, their efforts are bound to inspire others to create a better world for future generations.

Interview

Che Secillano, Founder

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