Jamie Steenbakkers is the co-founder of Busy Co, a line of women’s cleansing wipes renowned for its no-waste, chemical-free, and high-quality approach. We spoke with Jamie to learn how her childhood growing up around mostly guys inspired her to channel the simplicity of men’s personal care into women’s skincare and prioritize eco-friendliness.
What’s your background?
I grew up in a very “guy-centric” environment. I spent my youth working on my family’s farm and playing baseball on the boys’ team (don’t ask!). I was also the youngest female race car driver in Ontario (that’s a story for another time).
Why did you start Busy Co?
Being constantly surrounded by men, I became intimately aware of the disparities between my personal care routine and the routines of my friends and teammates. Freshening up or “getting ready” took me forever, while the guys would be in and out in what seemed like five minutes.
Beyond what felt like a big waste of time, there was also just a lot of, well, waste. It seemed like everything I was using was just another piece of plastic going straight into the landfill to clog up the planet for another 10,000 years.
So I started thinking: What if there was a way I could look and feel my best, without giving up my routine, my schedule, or my earth-friendly values?
And with that, Busy Co was born.
Busy Co has set a new standard for all-natural and environmentally sustainable self-care. Where did your inspiration come from?
The inspiration for Busy Co was simple: fast, effective products that don’t harm the environment. I wanted to create products that made it easy for the customer to transition to an environmentally friendly solution without a change in lifestyle.
Who else is on the Busy Co team?
At Busy Co, we are a team of seven. Michael Leahy is co-founder, and he manages fundraising, finances, and hiring. I am the co-founder, responsible for managing our supply chain, operations, product development, and branding. We have a head of sales, graphic designer, head of growth, and community and social manager.
Which features would you say make Busy Co’s wipes personal care must-haves?
Busy Co specializes in zero-waste wipes. We use waste scraps from the fashion industry and repurpose them as wipes, and they are biodegradable! Not only are they good for the earth, they’re also good for your skin. Our products are packed with nourishing skincare ingredients including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, coconut extract, and more. We have wipes to help improve oily skin, aging skin, and dry skin!
How else are Busy Co wipes eco-friendly?
We couple our waste-free wipes with waste-free packaging. Each wipe’s wrapper is entirely recyclable, as are the boxes containing each wipe and wrapper. We also make our wipes using entirely wind-powered processes, so our carbon footprint is next to nothing.
Since our wipes are biodegradable, you can keep them out of your trash and out of landfill by adding them to your compost pile. Plus, since they’re great substitutes for showers, you cut back on water and energy use too!
Tell us a little bit about your best-selling products.
Our best-selling products are from our Glow collection. Our Glow wipes include face, deodorant, body, hand, and feminine products that cleanse while helping brighten and hydrate skin. A great example is our Toning Body Cleansing Cloth, which uses caffeine and collagen peptides to lift, cleanse, and energize your skin. They’re all-natural and super eco-friendly, plus since they’re free of harsh chemicals, they don’t harm you (or the earth!) while they help you.
It’s clear that people who buy Busy Co wipes adore your products. Why should more people adopt Busy Co products into their life?
Busy Co’s products are a guilt-free solution to staying fresh and confident on the go. All our products are individually wrapped, so they’re easy to sneak into a gym bag, glove box, or office drawer. Busy Co means a clean look and feel whenever you want with none of the harmful effects on the world!
Where can I buy Busy Co wipes?
Just head to Busy Co’s website and receive 20% off with Code BUSY20! You can also find Busy Co wipes in over 1,500 locations nationwide including Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and even on your JetBlue flight. We’re especially proud of that last fact, because women so often tell us they need to freshen up after flights but just don’t have the time.
Are there any customer reviews or notable press reviews you would like to share?
Busy Co was featured in Forbes, and that meant a lot to us. Forbes did a great job examining why I started Busy Co, how well women have responded to our wipes, and how we addressed the challenges we faced at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’d say if anybody wants to get to know me and Busy Co even more than they are with this interview, that Forbes article is a great place to start!
What product from Busy Co are you most proud of?
I am most proud of our Refresh Body Wipes. Busy Co has some of the largest and thickest body wipes on the market! They make you feel as if you’ve taken a shower, and it only takes one wipe to do the job! I use them all the time after a long hike or mountain bike. They even leave skin more moisturized than lotion.
Our readers LOVE deals — are you currently running any promotions?
Yes! For a limited-time only, Busy Co is offering our readers 20% off with Code BUSY20! Just head to Busy Co’s website to find your favorite wipes. A clean body – and a clean mind – have never been so swiftly within reach.