Veronica Shannon, How to Turn Your Passion Into a Sustainable and Innovative Business – InnovaBuzz 408
Veronica Shannon, retub
In this episode, I’m really excited to have as my guest, Veronica Shannon, a lawyer, entrepreneur, published author and sustainability leader. She founded Retub, the premium reusable takeaway food container that has a built-in container exchange program and other businesses that have purpose and innovation at their heart.
In our discussion, Veronica talked to me about:
- what drove her to start Retub and how she tested and refined the idea
- how she engaged all stakeholders, not just customers, in the development of the product
- the importance of feedback and learning from that feedback
Sonia Zeiback in episode 344 introduced us to Veronica.
Listen to the podcast to find out more.
Listen to the Podcast
We don't have to wait for new technologies to exist. We can do something now, and we can make it a really great experience for everyone. -Veronica Shannon, Retub on #InnovaBuzz podcast Click To TweetShow Notes from this episode with Veronica Shannon, Founder & CEO of Retub
Key points and takeaways from this episode include:
- Retub is a reuseable takeaway food container that has a built-in container exchange program, called Reswap. Retubs are made of premium glass tubs with silicone lids that provide thermal protection for hot food. The inner glass container can be removed from the base and can easily be swapped for a clean one via the container exchange program.
- Aside from the container exchange program, Retub also has a deposit model where cafes can recruit customers who want to rent a Retub.
- Identifying what the problem is and whose problem it is, and thinking about how to provide a solution that will benefit all stakeholders are major parts of innovation.
- Test your ideas over and over again.
- Reach out to a lot of people. Keep asking different people that you’ve identified as stakeholders. Ask them for feedback and their thoughts.
- Innovation is all about making things better for the status quo.
- Innovation doesn’t have to be high-tech. In most cases, the simpler it is, the better.
- We don’t have to wait for new technologies to exist. We can do something now, and we can make it a really great experience for everyone.
- The pandemic gave a lot of businesses an opportunity to step back, observe, and make changes in our business that we will take with us.
The Buzz – Our Innovation Round
Here are Veronica’s answers to the questions of our innovation round. Listen to the conversation to get the full scoop.
- #1 thing to be more innovative – Look at the problems you have in your life. If it’s a problem to you, then, it might be a problem to others as well.
- Best thing for new ideas – Talking to people, sharing my ideas, and really listening. People don’t necessarily have to support your ideas, but if you can get them to talk about why they don’t like it, you can identify so many things that you can do. Listen to the underlying things that people are saying because that is where the gold is.
- Favourite tool for innovation – Friends and colleagues, getting feedback.
- Keep project/client on track – Be clear about what the problem is and what the solution needs to be like. Give yourself a timeframe and make sure that you are doing things as quickly as possible.
- Differentiate – Look at your competitors and think about what you wish they were doing or what they haven’t nailed.
To Be a Leader
Focus on the problem that you have in your own life. Talk about it to people you know without ego. Look at your competitors and start thinking about what other people are wishing to be a part of that solution.
Reach Out
You can reach out and thank Veronica through their website and Instagram.
Suggested Guest
Veronica suggested we have a conversation with Danielle Goodwin, founder and owner of Hawkeye Vintage. So Danielle, keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation from us to the InnovaBuzz Podcast, courtesy of Veronica Shannon.
Links
Cool Things About Veronica
- She’s a General Counsel at Buchan Group.
- She studied Biomedical Science and Law at Monash University.
- Retub won the 2019 Good Design Award for Design Excellence and is a finalist for the 2019 Premier’s Sustainability Award.