Alumni in Focus: Danielle Blunt

Borne out of Danielle’s frustration at the world of waste in retail, The Eco Warrior is an online low-waste lifestyle essentials retailer that provides inspiration and alternatives to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable lifestyle. 

What are your favourite hobbies?

Yoga, KX Pilates and walking my dog Biscuit off leash with my partner Michael.

Favourite place to eat when in Adelaide?

Nutrition Republic for nourishing lunches and Pizzateca on a warm Sunday afternoon.

If I could go back to my university days I would…

Be more involved in the University community and organise a semester abroad with a partnering University.

Most prized possession?

My dog Biscuit! She comes everywhere with me, even to the office, which the team loves.

Something that makes you smile?

I instantly smile when Biscuit wiggles her entire body when she’s happy to see me – it’s her signature move.

Something you are grateful for?

I’m grateful that my parents brought me up to believe I could do anything I wanted to do.

If I could pursue a different career I would…

I wouldn’t change it!

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned…

Don’t wait until you’re an expert at something to start – everyone else is learning along the way too.

I cannot get through the day without…

Yummy food.

Three words your closest friends use to describe you?

Empathetic, entrepreneurial and environmental.

Your definition of success?

Working on ideas that inspire me and being able to choose when and where I work with a balanced workload.

My mother taught me…

To always be honest.

Your career path in two sentences or less?

After completing my commerce degree (marketing and management) I started working in the fashion industry as an online store manager and then moved into buying. However, after four years I decided I didn’t like the way fast fashion impacts the environment and started working in the industry with my partner. I also started my own business The Eco Warrior, an online store that offers eco-friendly product solutions for everyday use and inspires people to make small changes in their buying patterns to reduce their impact on the environment.

Biggest career highlight?

Growing The Eco Warrior Instagram following to 140,000 in one year and receiving great feedback from our community about how, from the inspiration we provide, they have made changes to their lifestyle to help the environment.

2019 is the year I will…

Hire people smarter than me to help me achieve my goals.

How do you relax?

There is one yoga class I love that focuses on stretching first and then progressive muscle relaxation. I always leave feeling much more relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep. If I really need to switch my mind off I will watch an interesting movie but nothing scary!

When I get home the first thing I do is…

Grab my laptop and do some light work on the couch with a cosy blanket.

A misconception about you?

That I am shy.