ZERO-WASTE LIVING:
A Kinder, Regenerative Lifestyle
A Conversation between Kiersten Ozhelevskiy, Owner of Sunkissed Pantry and Monica Lenches
After three wonderful years of wholeheartedly supporting A Kinder World of Commerce, my dear partner, Claudia Rucker, has honed in on a very special and unique way in which she can bring more kindness to business. As a first-generation Latina, Claudia understands the difficult challenges facing first-generation entrepreneurs. With a passionate desire to give back, Claudia is moving on to focus her energies on supporting this unique group of business owners committed to using their businesses as forces for good. Claudia’s impact on my life is immeasurable, and her unwavering, loving support has been limitless. I’m thrilled to see her make her greatest contribution in this new and impactful way. When asked to share some closing remarks, she had this to say:
“As I transition out of my role with A Kinder World of Commerce, I remain committed to creating a kinder world of commerce. These days, I am dedicating more time to helping first-generation entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses through mindful financial management, advising and mentoring at the company I lead, Beyond Ordinary Business. Working with clients keeps me connected to our mission because I get to witness how committed they are to being kind to themselves first. As they develop and execute strategies that allow them to mindfully become more profitable and fully present in their everyday lives, they are able to use their resources more effectively to create a kinder world of commerce for themselves, their employees, our community and the environment.”
I first stumbled upon Sunkissed Pantry on my way to the Lobero last year. The bright, inviting space with its large picture windows and clean lines immediately drew me in. I was greeted by the kindest salesperson who turned out to be the owner, Kiersten Ozhelevskiy. Our paths crossed again on Earth Day, and once more when I returned to her store to purchase a special gift for my niece: a personalized perfume with her favorite scents of vanilla, pine, and orange. Kiersten was incredibly patient as we worked together to create the perfect medley of essential oils.
As our conversation continued, I started to see clearly of who this very special person is at her core, and it was evident that I had discovered yet another Legacy Brand. What really impressed me about Kiersten was the passion she brings to using her business as a force for good at such a young age! Every interaction with her leaves me feeling inspired and hopeful about the possibilities that exist when we align our hearts with our intentions. I am excited for you to learn more about her in this article and to meet her in person at her store.
ML: What is zero-waste and what inspired you to start a zero-waste business?
KO: To us zero-waste is a lifestyle which requires us to live a more mindful daily routine that includes less plastic and waste. A lot of people get intimidated by the term zero-waste and think we expect them to be perfect eco-warriors, but that is far from it. We know that people aren’t perfect, and we understand that we can only make the right choices when they are available to us.
I started Sunkissed Pantry when I became more passionate about non-toxic living after my mom passed away from breast cancer. Her cancer was a catalyst in investigating my own lifestyle and how the products around me were harming me. This led to my passion for living a plastic free life and wanting to give others the option to do the same.
ML: What are your company’s vision, mission and values?
KO: Sunkissed Pantry believes that when a community works together to make small changes, it can make a large impact on the world. We value the local community, personal health, and the environment, and our mission is to inspire individuals and businesses alike to join the greater mission of helping the environment move towards a greener future.
ML: I understand that your business does more than operate a brick-and-mortar storefront and that your values play a pivotal role in some impactful initiatives that happen behind the scenes. Can you tell us about that and give us some examples of how living your values supports your mission.
KO: Sunkissed Pantry strives to lead by example and model behaviors and practices that support businesses in operating in socially responsible ways – not just in their stores but behind the scenes. There are several ways in which we do this. First, we are big supporters of the local economy, and so if we have the opportunity to source an item locally, we will choose local! Sunkissed Pantry carries products from over 20 different local businesses and artists in the shop, and we always choose to employ people locally.
Second, we strive to implement what is called a closed-loop system in our shop. A closed-loop system is a supply chain model in which no waste is generated, and the product’s waste is endlessly regenerated into the system as a valuable resource at the end of its functional life to create something new. For instance, when we order products for the store, these items are typically shipped in containers. Once we are finished with the container, it is returned to the company and reused. This system allows us to participate in a circular economy, which is very important to our mission. A circular economy is an economic model that supports the reuse and regeneration of materials in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. We practice the ideals of a circular economy in big and small ways; for example, when we opened our store, we obtained 90% of all our furniture and fixtures second hand, and when we receive cardboard boxes from product deliveries, we always reuse those boxes for events, make signs, or ship out our products.
Third, Sunkissed Pantry hosts a variety of community-based swap events that help us reduce waste without having to spend money. We host clothing, book, and puzzle swaps and more!
ML: I understand that you have a targeted outreach program for local companies to educate them about sustainable business practices. Tell us about your vision for what’s possible in the business space?
KO: As an eco-leader in our community, I am passionate about inspiring businesses to get involved by changing habits that affect their employees. For example, we offer a program in which we come to the workplace and fill up soap or cleaner dispensers. This helps businesses cut down on single use plastics and offers the workplace a completely nontoxic environment. Embracing this program allows businesses to set a positive example for their employees and the community. My vision is to create a network of businesses participating in a refill program. When we contribute to doing business in this way, we are uplifting other small businesses in our community which helps uplift our local economy and our environment, which contributes to our overall health and well-being.
ML: How can individuals and businesses get involved with your mission?
KO: Every small action has a ripple effect, and I personally would love to live in a community in which everyone is aware of how their small actions can positively affect our city. As I’ve said, we don’t expect people to be perfect eco-warriors. We just ask that you consider making one small change to improve your health and help the environment around you and watch what happens when you do. Anyone can get involved by visiting our shop with their containers and refilling their basic staple needs. And if you don’t know where to start, please don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. I get so excited about people making a conscious effort. Or come join us for any one of our community-based events in the shop! We are located in the walkway behind the Lobero Theater office at 31 E Canon Perdido St., and our hours are Monday through Friday 11am-6pm and Saturday & Sunday 10am-3pm.
If you’re a business interested in embracing more eco-friendly business practices, join our business refill program by emailing us at [email protected]
Visit the Sunkissed Pantry website
