Eco-entrepreneur Kelly Wright behind Edinburgh's The Refillery set to discuss expansion plans

An award-winning entrepreneur behind eco-friendly store brand The Refillery is preparing to give more details of her franchise expansion plans at an Edinburgh business event this Thursdaynote-0.

Businesswoman Kelly Wright launched the retail business that sells wholefoods, herbs and spices, detergents and bathroom essentials, which can be refilled in existing packaging or other containers, five years ago after witnessing first-hand the overuse of plastic and in particular the food industry.

She at present has two shops in Edinburgh, in Newington and Waverley Market, and two franchises, one in Corstorphine in the Scottish capital and the other – the first one south of the Border and newly opened – in Canterbury, with plans to launch more franchises across the UK over the next five years.

At the Love Your Business networking event, an initiative created by Michelle Brown from the eponymous PR agency, Ms Wright will be sharing the story of her entrepreneurial journey to date, the franchise expansion plans, and ways to adopt a minimal waste lifestyle ahead of Plastic Free July.

'I’m delighted to be able to share my story and franchise goals for the future with everyone at Love Your Business this week,' says the entrepreneur. Picture: Stewart Attwood.

Ms Wright, whose accolades over the years include Citi Micro-Entrepreneur Award for Sustainability and Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Business Innovation and Sustainability Award, said: “It’s never been more important to become a conscious consumer and our vision is to make plastic-free and ethical shopping accessible to as many people as possible, which is why I’m delighted to be able to share my story and franchise goals for the future with everyone at Love Your Business this week. Together as a community we can all help make a difference and protect our planet.”

Ms Brown started the event series in 2018 to help bring businesses together to help build their network and share contacts and referrals, and support each other, with previous speakers including Alice Thompson, co-founder of Social Bite and motivational coach; and Chris van der Kuyl, chairman and co-founder of 4J Studios.

PR woman Ms Brown: “Kelly has an incredible story to share when it comes to leaving the corporate world and embarking on something which she is incredibly passionate about and educating people on the circular economy and reducing waste.” The event takes place at Black Ivy Bar & Hotel in Bruntsfield from 11am to 1pm.