The Origin
I'm Marta, the face behind our small grocery store.
I'm passionate about the earth, the sun, and the water... I was born "in the countryside", grew up in the city, lived in the countryside, and returned to the city! Contact with nature always made me happier, calmer, and at peace! Returning to the land was inevitable!
Although my basic training is in Industrial Design, what I'm passionate about is interacting with people. For 10 years, I was a CEO in a company, commercial and technical in food safety. After much consideration, I decided to leave everything behind and bring this store to life, which isn't mine, but YOURS!
A curious fact: coincidence or not, during those 10 years (2009-2019), I worked with Greendet, the brand of bulk detergents I would put in our grocery store.
The search for greener and more sustainable products arose after a health problem in 2011, forcing me to seek more natural solutions. At the time, there was little talk about ecological, solid, or sustainable products. In the rush of those years, I didn't stop to listen to my body properly and just wanted to treat my hair problem and see my hair grow.
3 years later, tired of a life that, honestly, I didn't feel was mine, I decided to do a 180-degree turn. After being "at rock bottom" and turning my back on a lifestyle of excessive consumption, I discovered a new world every day!
I left behind a company, a partnership, a life.
But it made sense to me... I felt trapped, suffocated, and doing something that no longer made me smile! Today I know it was one of the best decisions of my life!
Regarding menstruation and intimate hygiene, I was that person who got infections every month... as soon as I switched to chamomile soap and only used period underwear, I didn't have a single infection!
Today, my mission is undoubtedly to share my changes and tips for a more sustainable, ecological life, but above all, for a life that makes us happy and allows us to be whoever we want!
I'm far from "zero waste," but every step I take in that direction makes me incredibly happy! Can I count on you to walk this path together?
And so I began my imperfect journey towards a greener life! The first changes: reusing a water bottle [I just wondered: how come I'm only seeing this now?!] sorting TRASH [I don't ever remember seeing anyone in my family do it: how come it's not normal???]
Although my biggest change was in 2020: I dreamed, I designed... and in 2021 I launched the period underwear brand Giras ao Sol, made in Coimbra, in my city, using certified fabrics that respect my environment and our health, with the aim that all menstruating people can use reusable menstrual products.
The Inspiration
In early 2020, Eunice Maia, founder of Portugal's first "ZERO WASTE STORE," published the book "Desafio Zero". At that time, I was taking my first steps, but after reading the book, it was "a wake-up call", "an inner light" that ignited and made me want to go much further. If you haven't read the book yet, I highly recommend it to everyone; it's fascinating!
It was through this reading that I realized how much was already being done, but that, even so, the planet needed more! It was the moment I felt capable of moving forward. I realized that there were already people on the same path as me who knew much more than I did! I felt capable of sharing healthier options that wouldn't harm the environment or our health! It was then that I felt there are incredible people and that I also wanted to further encourage customers to take small steps towards reduction and change, leading to a healthier life and a more sustainable planet.
Eunice Maia is my greatest INSPIRATION, and working with her is simply WONDERFUL; she is an incredible person whom I've had the honor of meeting several times.
Dear Eunice and Verónica, I hope we continue this journey together and that we can continue to support each other! Let's go together!!!
