Skye Anderton is the ‘chief dreamer’ and designer at Ruby Olive Jewellery – and a rad Brisbane businesswoman we’ve had the privilege to get to know over the past few years. After living in London and working as a designer, product developer and fashion accessory buyer, Skye returned to Brisbane to start her dream business Ruby Olive (named after her beautiful grandmother).
Skye is passionate about using sustainable materials and producing products with an ethical heart, and she’s currently working on cracking the US market with her gorgeous designs (and we’re cheering loudly from the sidelines!). She won the 2014 Young Business Woman of the Year (QLD), and is a campaigner for International Women’s Rights and supporter of The Hunger Project, helping to end the cycle of poverty in developing nations.
In other words, she’s a crazy successful woman who wants to help lift others up. We love Skye!
What was the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out (and who gave it to you)?
“Start as you want to continue.”
I can’t actually remember who told me that but it was certainly a bit of a mantra in those early days
What technology can you not do without?
My iPhone and wifi.
Where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere. I find inspiration from the most unlikely of places – looking out a window, a leaf on the pavement, an image in a magazine. My brain is chock a block full of ideas and inspiration – I need to rein it in sometimes.
How do you take time out for yourself?
Sounds ridiculous….but I love going grocery shopping by myself, 8pm on a Monday night. The kids are asleep, it’s super quiet, I can take my time, I put on my headphones, oh it’s pure bliss!
Who are your business heroes?
I have so many amazing women that inspire me on a daily basis but my first business hero when business was just a little seed in my mind was Anita Roddick. I bought her book from a second hand book fair when I was still at school. It became my bible for a long time. I was inspired by her ability to bring sustainability and purpose into a proper business. The more profit you make, the bigger the difference you can make in the world. That’s certainly my driver to have a successful business!
How do you find peace in a busy day?
I meditate nearly every night to slow my mind down and I love my 20 minute drives to and from work – sometimes I turn the radio off and just think.
What advice would you give your younger self, when you were just starting out?
Believe in yourself. If YOU believe in yourself, others will start to believe in you too.
How do you start your day? (What time do you get up and what does your morning routine look like?)
My kids get up anytime between 5 and 6, my husband normally gets up early with them (he’s a morning person, I AM NOT) and so I normally join them sometime between 6:30 and 7. I start the day with a cup of Earl Grey tea and then we generally all have breakfast together around 7. After breakfast we then start to get ready for the day (in between lego constructions) and we’re normally all out of the house by 8:15-8:30.
Who is in your posse?
The most important people in my life are my family! My husband, my 2 boys, my parents and my brothers and their families. I’ve also got a super bunch of friends that all feed different parts of my soul. Some are beautiful friends who I’ve known for many years and who I’ve shared so many amazing experiences with. Others are amazing friends who also have their own businesses – we can talk ‘shop’ for hours and never get bored.
What are you proudest of in your career?
- Taking a massive leap of faith and actually starting my business
- Raising $15K in 30 days for the absolutely amazing charity The Hunger Project
- Winning the Telstra Young Business Women of the year award
