Brianne West

West was born in {{birth based on age as of date|24|2012|April|1|noage=yes}}{{cite news|title=Beauty boss Brianne West is named a global thinker|url= http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87634071/beauty-boss-brianne-west-is-named-a-global-thinker |access-date=21 April 2017|work=Sunday Star-Times|date=18 December 2016}}{{Cite web |title=Ten minutes with Brianne West, Founder of Ethique |url=https://thephagroup.com/podcasts/ten-minutes-with-brianne-west-founder-of-ethique/ |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=The PHA Group |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/87634071/beauty-boss-brianne-west-is-named-a-global-thinker |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Stuff }} on the Isle of Man. She came to New Zealand with her parents aged seven and grew up in Queenstown, where she attended Wakatipu High School.{{cite news |last1=Melville |first1=Brent |title=My Net Worth: Brianne West, founder and CEO, Ethique |url=https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/the-life/my-net-worth-brianne-west-founder-and-ceo-ethique |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=BusinessDesk |date=25 April 2021}}

West founded her first company, a pet detective agency, at age eight.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2023 |title=Brianne West goes from boardroom to backyard bliss |url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/news/real-life/brianne-west-ethique-47943/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=Now to Love – New Zealand |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|url=https://sustainable.org.nz/members/canterbury/christchurch/ethique/|title=Ethique|website=Sustainable Business Network|language=en-NZ|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Brianne West|url= https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/get-started/why-uc/student-profiles/all-profiles/brianne-west.html |access-date=28 July 2021 |website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz}} She started her first natural cosmetics business as a high-school leaver at the age of 19, and ran it for two years before starting a confectionery company.{{Cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11207197|title=Small business: Natural beauty – Brianne West|date=28 February 2014|newspaper=New Zealand Herald |language=en-NZ|issn=1170-0777|access-date=13 December 2016}}

West began creating solid-bar shampoo and conditioner in her kitchen as a hobby in 2012, while in the second year of her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand.{{Cite web|url=http://www.1millionwomen.com.au/blog/woman-has-diverted-60000-plastic-bottles-landfill-heres-how/|title=This Woman Has Diverted 60,000 Plastic Bottles From Landfill. Here's How. {{!}} 1 Million Women|website=www.1millionwomen.com.au|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{Cite web|date=8 October 2020|title=Payday for Ethique investors after deal signed with international backers|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123022010/payday-for-ethique-investors-after-deal-signed-with-international-backers|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Stuff |language=en}} West used the knowledge from her studies to formulate products with natural ingredients from ethical and sustainable sources. By removing water from the products, West created a range of completely plastic-free products which were also not tested on animals, and were sold in biodegradable and compostable packaging.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mindfood.com/au/article/kiwi-founder-of-ethique-named-as-2016-global-thinker/|title=Kiwi founder of Ethique named as 2016 'Global Thinker'|website=Mindfood|access-date=13 December 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/eshachhabra/2018/06/27/how-this-female-founder-raised-over-1-million-for-her-zero-waste-beauty-brand/|title=This Female Founder Raised Over $1 Million For A Zero-Waste Beauty Brand|last=Chhabra|first=Esha|website=Forbes|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/genius-solid-shampoos-use-less-plastic-packaging-by-leaving-out-water_n_57963f19e4b02d5d5ed24951|title=Genius Solid Shampoos Use No Plastic Packaging By Leaving Out Water|last=Ruiz-Grossman|first=Sarah|date=25 July 2016|website=HuffPost|access-date=18 June 2019}} Later the same year she started marketing the bars under the company name of Sorbet Cosmetics.

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In 2013, she entered a business entrepreneurship competition at her university called "entré".{{Cite web|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/alumni/uc-next/entrepreneurs/brianne-west/|title=Brianne West|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz|access-date=18 June 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Brianne West|url=https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/business/uce/capability/impact-summit/brianne-west/|access-date=12 August 2021|website=The University of Canterbury|language=en-nz}} As a result of becoming a finalist she secured a business mentor.

By 2015, her company had prevented 60,000 bottles from needing to be recycled and West re-branded the company as Ethique.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/investments/52-sorbet-by-ethique-limited|title=Sorbet by Ethique Limited {{!}} PledgeMe|last=West|first=Brianne|website=www.pledgeme.co.nz|access-date=13 December 2016}}{{Cite web|date=25 May 2017|title=A Christchurch-made range of solid shampoos and conditioners is turning heads|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/92655356/a-christchurchmade-range-of-solid-shampoos-and-conditioners-is-turning-heads|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://idealog.co.nz/venture/2015/05/being-mad-about-science-going-global-sorbet-cosmetics-brianne-west-tackles-tanning-and-shampooing|title=From being mad about science to going global: Sorbet Cosmetics' Brianne West tackles beauty bars, tanning and shampooing|date=1 May 2015|newspaper=Idealog|access-date=13 December 2016}}{{Cite web|last=Leighton|first=Mara|title=This eco-friendly startup was named New Zealand's most sustainable business — its solid shampoo and conditioner bars aim to reduce plastic waste|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ethique-natural-shampoo-conditioner-review-2018-5|access-date=12 August 2021|website=Business Insider|language=en-US}}

In 2015, West launched an online crowdfunding campaign through PledgeMe, which raised NZ$200,000, and attracted the largest number of female investors in the site's history.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/82419498/young-kiwi-businesswoman-tackles-beauty-industrys-rubbish-problem|title=Young Kiwi businesswoman tackles beauty industry's rubbish problem|website=Stuff |access-date=13 December 2016}} The funds were used to build a customised laboratory for developing and manufacturing products, and to expand the company to global markets. She expanded the range of products to include solid body wash, face creams and moisturisers, deodorants, self-tanning bars, household cleaning products and pet wash. In 2017, West launched a second crowdfunding campaign and reached PledgeMe's daily limit of NZ$500,000 in 90 minutes.{{Cite web|url=http://idealog.co.nz/venture/2017/10/ethique-crowdfunds-500k-90-minutes-pledgeme|title=Ethique crowdfunds $500K in 90 minutes on PledgeMe|last1=Mack|first1=Ben|date=2 October 2017|website=Idealog|language=en|access-date=18 June 2019}} In 2019 the company had a turnover of more than $10 million a year.[https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/117711479/brianne-west-used-her-student-loan-to-start-the-company-that-made-her-a-million Brianne West used her student loan to start the company that made her a million], Stuff, 7 December 2019

In 2019, the company expanded operations to stores in the UK.{{Cite news|last=Arboine|first=Niellah|date=2 April 2019|title=The World's First Zero-Waste Beauty Brand Has Some Seriously Impressive Products|work=Bustle|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/ethique-has-just-launched-in-the-uk-heres-what-to-expect-from-the-worlds-first-zero-waste-beauty-brand-17003307}}{{Cite news|last=Shaw|first=Aimee|date=27 September 2018|title=Kiwi beauty brand Ethique signs deal to stock products in 420 Australian stores|work=The New Zealand Herald|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12132589|access-date=10 June 2019}}

In 2020, West was named as an Obama Foundation Leader{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Leaders: Asia-Pacific! |url=https://www.obama.org/asia-pacific-19/ |access-date=21 June 2021 |website=Obama Foundation |language=en}} and as One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year.{{Cite web |title=Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners 2020 {{!}} One Young World |url=https://www.oneyoungworld.com/oyw-entrepreneur-year-award/winners-2020 |access-date=21 June 2021 |website=www.oneyoungworld.com}} Ethique also officially achieved 10 million bottles saved from use and West announced a new goal of half a billion by 2030.{{Cite news |title=Kiwi zero-waste beauty brand Ethique scores major international investment deal |language=en-NZ |work=TVNZ |url=https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kiwi-zero-waste-beauty-brand-ethique-scores-major-international-investment-deal |access-date=21 June 2021}} Ethique expanded to more than 20 countries including Australia, United States, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

West sold 75% of the shares in Ethique to New York-based investment firm Bansk Group in late 2020.{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Melanie |date=8 October 2020 |title=Payday for Ethique investors after deal signed with international backers |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/123022010/payday-for-ethique-investors-after-deal-signed-with-international-backers |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Poi-Ngawhika |first=Tamara |title=Ethique founder says stepping down 'positive and exciting' |url=https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/retail/ethique-founder-says-stepping-down-positive-and-exciting |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=businessdesk.co.nz |language=en}} In 2023 she resigned as chief executive of the company.{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Tina |date=14 April 2023 |title=Ethique founder Brianne West steps down as chief executive |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/131776276/ethique-founder-brianne-west-steps-down-as-chief-executive |access-date=20 April 2023 |website=Stuff |language=en}}

The company makes a range of solid hair, face and body bars. All products are sold in compostable packaging, meaning zero consumer waste. Ethique only uses biodegradable ingredients and wrappers so its solid bars leave no trace on the planet. Consumers can dispose of the compostable wrapping in their home compost bin. This means there are no bottles, jars, lids or pump dispensers contributing to landfill or oceanic pollution.{{Cite news |last=Deguara |first=Brittney |date=24 May 2019 |title=Beauty bars stop over 3 million plastic bottles entering landfill |work=Stuff |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/112812787/kiwi-beauty-bars-stop-over-3-million-plastic-bottles-entering-landfill |access-date=10 June 2019}} The company also champions the use of fair trade and sustainable supply chains.{{Cite web |last=FNZ |date=5 October 2022 |title=The ethics of Ethique – and how a Kiwi brand saved 25 million plastic bottles |url=https://www.fashionz.co.nz/the-ethics-of-ethique-and-how-a-kiwi-brand-saved-25-million-plastic-containers/ |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=FashioNZ |language=en-NZ}}

After selling Ethique, West launched Nous Labs (later changed to Insprie Labs), which provides investment and mentoring for environmentally and socially focused enterprises.

She founded Business, but Better, a free education and mentoring hub, in late 2022 to help other entrepreneurs build successful mission-driven enterprises.{{Cite web |date=17 April 2023 |title=Entrepreneur Brianne West launches initiative to prevent start-up failures |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/488099/entrepreneur-brianne-west-launches-initiative-to-prevent-start-up-failures |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}{{Cite web |title=The Press |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/a/business/350025674/ethique-founder-giving-free-resources-to-budding-entrepreneurs |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=www.thepress.co.nz}}

In 2023 West announced her new company Incrediballs, launching in 2025, a plastic-free drinks brand creating 'soda balls' in a bid to tackle the plastic waste in the drinks industry.{{Cite web |title=It's Launch Day! Well of the podcast anyway |website=Caffeine Daily |url=https://www.caffeinedaily.co/stories/ep-one-launch-day |access-date=2 October 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Brianne West: Tackling sustainability in the soft drinks industry |url=https://www.theceomagazine.com/business/innovation-technology/brianne-west-soft-drinks-industry/ |access-date=18 March 2025 |website=The CEO Magazine |language=en-US}}

• 2024: Kiwibank Innovator of the Year, finalist{{Cite news |date=13 December 2023 |title=Kiwibank New Zealander Of The Year Awards Ngā Tohu Pou Kōhure O Aotearoa Semi-Finalists Announced Across 7 Categories |work=Scoop News |url=https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2312/S00260/kiwibank-new-zealander-of-the-year-awards-nga-tohu-pou-kohure-o-aotearoa-semi-finalists-announced-across-7-categories.htm? |access-date=27 February 2025}}
• 2023: Kea World Class New Zealand Award{{Cite web |date=7 September 2023 |title=2023 Kea World Class New Zealand Award Winner – Brianne West |url=https://keanewzealand.com/brianne-west-2023-kea-world-class-award-winner/ |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Kea New Zealand |language=en-NZ}}
• 2023: The New Zealand Hall of Fame for Women Entrepreneurs{{Cite web |title=Hall of Fame 2023 |url=https://coofwomen.biz/pages/hall-of-fame-2023 |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Co.OfWomen |language=en-GB}}
• 2022: Blake Leader (Sir Peter Blake Trust){{Cite web |title=Brianne West |url=https://www.blakenz.org/person/brianne-west/ |access-date=2 October 2023 |website=Blake NZ |language=en-NZ}}
• 2020: Time magazine 100 Best Inventions of 2020 – Ethique Concentrates{{Cite magazine|title=Ethique Concentrates: The 100 Best Inventions of 2020|url=https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2020/5911446/ethique-concentrates/|access-date=15 February 2021|magazine=Time }}
• 2020: One Young World Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• 2020: Obama Leader Asia Pacific
• 2019: NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards, Communication for Change commendation{{Cite web|url=https://www.fmcgbusiness.co.nz/sbn-award-winners-revealed/|title=SBN Award winners revealed|date=28 November 2019|website=FMCG Business|language=en-US|access-date=28 November 2019}}
• 2019: New Zealand Women of Influence Awards, Business Enterprise winner{{Cite web|url=https://www.womenofinfluence.co.nz/2019-winners|title=2019 Winners|website=Women of Influence|language=en-US|access-date=5 November 2019}}
• 2019: Deloitte Fast 50, ranked fourth fasted growing company in New Zealand{{Cite web|url=https://www.deloitteprivate.co.nz/fast-50/2019-fast-50/2019-fast-50-results/ethique/|title=Ethique {{!}} Fast 50 2019 Results|website=Deloitte Fast50|access-date=2 March 2020}}
• 2019: Westpac Champion Business Awards, ChristchurchNZ Champion Innovation winner and the Westpac Champion Supreme Awards Small Enterprise winner{{Cite web|url=http://www.westpacchampionawards.co.nz/2018winners.html|title=2019 Winners|website=www.westpacchampionawards.co.nz|access-date=5 November 2019}}
• 2019: New Zealand Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Ernst & Young){{cite web |title=Five top Kiwi entrepreneurs honoured at EY Entrepreneur of Year awards |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12265426 |website=The New Zealand Herald |access-date=12 September 2019}}
• 2019: American Chamber of Commerce (New Zealand) DHL Express – Exporter of the Year to the USA $1 million to $10 million{{cite web |title=UC alumna Brianne West and Ethique win Exporter of the Year award |url=https://blogs.canterbury.ac.nz/insiders/2019/08/27/uc-alumna-brianne-west-and-ethique-win-exporter-of-the-year-award/ |website=Canterbury University |access-date=12 September 2019}}
• 2018: Kiwibank Local Hero Award{{Cite web|url=https://nzawards.org.nz/news/regional-kiwibank-local-hero-medalists-named/|title=Regional Kiwibank Local Hero Medalists named|website=nzawards.org.nz|access-date=18 June 2019}}
• 2018: Kiwibank Innovator of the Year, semi-finalist{{Cite web|url=https://nzawards.org.nz/news/semi-finalists-2018-new-zealander-year-named/|title=Semi-finalists for 2018 New Zealander of the Year named|website=nzawards.org.nz|access-date=18 June 2019}}
• 2016: Top 100 leading "Global Thinkers" in the American Foreign Policy magazine
• 2016: Vital Voices by Bank of America mentee{{Cite web|url=https://www.vitalvoices.org/2016/09/empowering-women-leaders-to-advance-sustainable-development-the-global-ambassadors-program-heads-to-australia-october-3-7/|title=Empowering Women Leaders to Advance Sustainable Development: The Global Ambassadors Program Heads to Australia October 3–7|date=5 February 2017|website=Vital Voices|language=en|access-date=18 June 2019}}
• 2016: East-West Center's Changing Faces Women's Leadership Seminar, participant{{Cite web|url=https://www.eastwestcenter.org/professional-development/seminars-journalism-programs/changing-faces-womens-leadership-seminar|title=Changing Faces Women's Leadership Seminar|date=4 January 2018|website=www.eastwestcenter.org|language=en|access-date=18 June 2019}}
• 2016: EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women, participant{{Cite web|title=Brianne West|url=https://www.ey.com/en_gl/entrepreneurial-winning-women-asia-pacific/class-of-2020/brianne-west|access-date=16 February 2021|website=www.ey.com|language=en-GL}}
• 2015: Deloitte's "Rising Star – One to Watch"{{Cite web|url=https://www.deloitteprivate.co.nz/blog/group-1/exceptional-entrepreneur-brianne-west/|title=Exceptional Entrepreneur: Brianne West|website=Deloitte Private|access-date=18 June 2019}}
• 2015: New Zealand Green Apple Awards (for environmental best practice), silver{{Cite web|url=https://www.global-ambassadors.org/people/brianne-west|title=Brianne West {{!}} The Global Ambassadors Program|website=www.global-ambassadors.org|access-date=18 June 2019}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://incrediballs.com/ Incrediballs homepage]
• [https://ethiqueworld.com/ Ethique homepage]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West, Brianne}}

Category:Living people

Category:1980s births

Category:University of Canterbury alumni

Category:People from Christchurch

Category:New Zealand businesspeople

Category:21st-century New Zealand people

Category:New Zealand women in business

Category:New Zealand Women of Influence Award recipients

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:People educated at Wakatipu High School