Progress, Not Perfection

Dear reader,

“We need to be 100% palm-oil free, zero waste, certified organic, locally sourced, fully biodegradable, and affordable for the average consumer. I don’t want to exclude people from having healthy and sustainable care products based on their income.”

I've heard these aspirations frequently in the cosmetics industry, and they resonated with me deeply. However, pursuing perfection in sustainability can lead to stagnation. Instead, focusing on achievable, impactful changes has proven to be a more effective path for fostering meaningful transformation. As Marie Forleo wisely says: “Progress, not perfection.”

Real transformation starts from within—understanding who we are, what we value, and what positive impact we're meant to create in the world. Only then can we develop meaningful strategies that align our actions with our deeper purpose. This internal-to-external approach helps organizations stay true to their values while making strategic choices that create lasting change.

I think Tony’s Chocoloney is a good example of this. Launching in 2005, they faced an impossible challenge: creating slave-free chocolate in an exploitative industry. Instead of waiting until they could guarantee 100% slave-free chocolate, they decided to act, focus, and be transparent. By 2013, they achieved slave-free cocoa mass, and by 2016, cocoa butter. This progress shows that even in significant challenges, maintaining a commitment to ethical practices is possible and can drive profitability and sustainable change.

In my experience in the cosmetics industry, it’s common for companies to feel swamped trying to solve every sustainability challenge at once. What if we started by asking: “What positive impact do you want your organization to have in the world?”

I'm diving deeper into Theory of Change and alternative frameworks as part of my learning journey. It could significantly impact cosmetic businesses, helping them navigate the sustainable development landscape while staying true to their foundational beliefs.

What's your experience balancing sustainability goals and practical reality? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

With curiosity,

Priscilla

Some notes I've worked on recently…

1. Theory of Change — I've started exploring how this framework can serve as an internal compass for authentic, sustainable development in the cosmetics industry.

2. 📑 Why People Aren't Motivated to Address Climate Change — This article explains psychological barriers to sustainability action, and I see surprising parallels to challenges in the cosmetics industry.