Sahar Mansoor - An Environmentalist, Entrepreneur and Author

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi everyone, I’m Sahar, the founder of Bare Necessities. Who I am is a loaded question. I think I’m a sister, a daughter, a founder, a friend, an author, an environmentalist, nature lover, an explorer.

What was your ambition as a child?

I always had really unconventional ideas about what I was going to do once I grew up. It was predominantly things that I didn’t see women do. So, at one phase, I was really obsessed being someone who had a coconut stall, a nariyal pani stall. At one point, I was really obsessed being a truck driver, um, and you know, cross countries, road trips and constantly exploring new places. I think I wanted to basically create a mark and do something where I didn’t traditionally seem fit.

How did you first become aware of zero waste and what inspired you to start your venture - Bare Necessities?

To be honest, I watched this short documentary when I was in college. I took a long run environmental course, where I was really exposed to the environmental crisis that our gorgeous mother earth is facing and I quickly realized that I wanted this not to be just a fun elective class that I was taking. But, I knew I wanted to make it my life. I knew I wanted to do something that would create some form of impact. And, I also was really excited by creating kind of some kind of social business that had social, environmental and economic goals! All kind of in one same breath! And that’s why I got to start building my brand. Bare Necessities does resonate with these values! We create zero waste or low waste products that are designed not to land up in our oceans and landfills. We also care about the formulation of our products, like, all the ingredients that we use have no negative impacts on health or the environment. We are trying to disrupt the kind of FMCG industry we know and create very very innovative products that don’t have this crazy blasting footprint that is associated with it.

As the author of “Bare Necessities How To Live A Zero-Waste Life”, what are some key takeaways?

Honestly, this book has everything I wish I knew when I got stuck. When you think about it, there are books about, ‘How to make these recipes?’ books, there’s books on wellness, there are books on finance, but I found out that there wasn’t a book about how to get started to live with a zero waste lifestyle! And, essentially, this book has all of those things I wish I knew when I got stuck and its meant to be a resource guide for a lot of recipes, resources for things to do, organizations to donate your old shoes, your e-waste, you name it and it's got it.

How has winning the Cartier Young Leader Award in 2022 influenced and advanced your professional journey?

I recently won the Cartier Young Leader Award. I am super super humbled to be the first Indian to have received it. To be honest, it was just a recognition that you are a bridge builder, you’re trying to bridge this gap between economic and environmental causes and create a social impact.

How would you describe your personal style?

Honestly, it is very fuss-free and easy going but honestly I also love to celebrate India in my clothing. It is after all our second skin! So, I love to wear a lot of natural fabrics that are breathable. You know, whether it's Bandhani or Khadi or Ikat or rock-print, I’ll have to celebrate all of that with what I wear!

How do you resonate with Teejh?

I love that Teejh celebrates India! And I think there is so much diversity that has been reflected in all of the beautiful, gorgeous pieces - through the jewellery, through the sarees and more!

What advice would you give to young individuals to adopt more sustainable practices?

I would say that it is a movement that needs all of us! And every drop kind of makes the ocean and so this needs all of us! So, if you can embrace sustainability in whatever you might do whether it is small actions or big, don’t underestimate the power that you have!