Name
Karen O’Flaherty
Age
53 years young
Job title
Co-founder of Pip Organic
Company and location
Pip Organic, Putney, London
Education
Went to school in North London, then skipped going to university as I was swayed into working by a placement in a creative agency – my fascination with brands started then!
Favourite food
Seafood Linguine with lots of chilli!
What inspired you to enter F&B?
After working in brand development for leading food and drink companies for many years, I came more and more aware of the lack of clean label, sustainable products.
When I met my husband Patrick (and Pip Organic co-founder) we discovered a gap in the market for organic pressed juice, and got to juicing in Borough Market.
When we had our children we had the constant battle of trying to find drinks and snacks that we could say ‘yes’ too. We couldn’t find anything on the market that was 100% organic, and had no added sugar, nasties and preservatives.
We wanted to be a ‘change maker’ in the industry and lead the way to more accessible organic drinks, food and lollies for the whole family to enjoy.
Tell us about your role
As a co-founder I work across all aspects of Pip Organic, so I switch gears between various areas of the business, from strategy, personnel to leading all things brand, marketing, and packaging.
I am also a part of some amazing communities such as Buy Women Built and am on the mentorship programme for EY, so I am often doing talks or participating in industry initiatives. I really enjoy the diversity, and there is a constant revolving door of learning.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day for me is a juggling act between family life and running the business. All days are very different, but I am awake before any little people in my household so that I read emails first that have come in overnight and then like every parent the day starts with getting my two children up and to school!
When the kids are in school, I head to the office which is a short walk from home. My days are a combination of internal and external meetings. These could include catching up with the marketing team on new packaging solutions, or working on new product development. Working with our production team to sample blends or analysing sales data. We are all very hands-on and we have a fantastic team. I regularly meet our customers and check out our range in store.
Most days I spend time with our key account and sales team to assist with any commercial proposals.
Even though every office day is different to the others, what remains the same is being a parent to my two children and the constant juggle running them to clubs continues. Once the kids are off to bed, I will check for any urgent follow ups required.
How did you get to where you are today?
I learnt so much from my background in branding, and continued to consult whilst I was starting up Pip with my husband Patrick. A lot of trial and error and learning.
I think people have also been a massive part of my journey and Pips journey. Meeting people, and making those authentic connections has been a massive part of my journey to be a business owner.
When you’re having a bad day, what cheers you up?
I tend to be an optimistic person but I do remind myself that running a challenger business means there will always be days that things don’t always go your way, but there will also be days that you are on a high! On the bad days when I get home my two children, Charlotte and William very much put things in perspective and help me recharge my batteries for the next day!
What’s your favourite part about the food sector?
I love bringing new ideas to life and creating products that are good for you and the environment. Seeing our brand in someone’s hand or basket is the best feeling!
If you could change one thing about the F&B sector what would it be?
More opportunities for challenger brands to have a share of voice in the F & B sector with a highlight on wider availability for healthy and sustainable brands.
What’s next for you/what’s the dream?
Continuing to championing for healthy options in the food and drink industry, and increasing accessibility for families. We have developed products over four categories that ‘make it easier for parents to say yes’. I would love to continue doing this across more areas of the F&B sector.
