Smart Company:
Natural healthcare products have been a money-spinner for Leanne Preston, this year’s Telstra Businesswoman of the Year. Preston beat Terri Irwin, director of Australia Zoo and wife of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin for the coveted prize.
Preston is the founder of Wild Child, which develops and markets 20 product lines internationally. The products, including hair care products and sunscreens, are designed for babies, children and families, and contain natural ingredients. She is believed to have turned over more than $30 million in 2006-07.
The West Australian single mother of 3 started off small, researching and making her products out of her home in 1997 with $30,000. Preston developed her first product after discovering her youngest daughter had head lice.
She couldn’t find a chemical-free treatment anywhere, so started developing her own using plant oils. The result – Quit Nits – filled a niche in the market for natural alternatives for the treatment of head lice and nits.
Preston now works with scientists to develop new formulations, but didn’t initially call in expert help. ‘My first product was created using a lot of literature out there by doctors and professors. I researched natural medicines in the library, studied toxicology literature and worked with existing scientific data. I knew essential oils could be toxic by themselves, so it was really critical I undertook the research.’ Read full story.
Subscribe 
