vitruvi's DOP: Simone
1. Let's kick it off with a brief introduction - who are you, what do you do, and how can people connect with you.
Hi, I’m Simone! I’m 27 and live in a suburb just outside of Vancouver with my cat Joey. I am the Director of Partnerships and Experience at vitruvi. In my role, I get to work with an amazing team and interact with our customers and content creators on a daily basis. People can connect directly with me on Instagram at @simonebeadle.
2. vitruvi is a well-known brand that I, along with several of my friends and family, absolutely love. What do you think has contributed to vitruvi's success so far and what advice could you provide other companies that are just starting out?
First and foremost, our team is really small and works really hard. It’s pretty incredible to be surrounded by a group of people who are so dedicated, and it’s been amazing to see the team grow from just four of us a few years ago to our current team of over 20. I think one of the other big contributions to our success is the emphasis we put on our customers. We care so much about ensuring that our customers have the best experience possible with the brand, and take their feedback and opinions really seriously.
3. No brand is perfect, so what is one thing vitruvi is currently working to be better about/on?
One of our core values at the company is to keep a beginner’s mind, which is a reminder to always look for ways that we can do things differently—with a focus on how we can be more effective and show up better for our team and our customers. Right now we are really focused on ensuring that our creative and our content showcases and is created by a range of people with unique lived experiences. This shows up through our partnerships, our photography, our campaigns, our writers, and more.
4. One thing that I have always admired about vitruvi is that you are inclusive and have always had a diverse range of partners when it comes to campaigns and ambassadors. Why was this a priority for the brand since the start?
The company began as a blog that was created by our cofounder Sara while she was completing a degree in global health. The blog showcased the wellness practices and daily rituals of people and cultures around the world, so understanding different ways of looking at wellness and natural living has always been at the core of the brand. As we evolve and grow, we continue to want the company to reflect both an aspirational lifestyle around natural living, and also be relatable and accessible. There is so much more we are excited about and feel there is, even more, we can do in this realm of our work.
5. 2020 has certainly been a year of learning, growth, reflection, and also UNlearning - what are 2 things you're personally unlearning and why?
2020 has been such a crazy year that no one could have seen coming. Like a lot of people, I’ve been unlearning busyness. I’ve always loved my alone time but often felt guilty taking it. 2020 has forced this alone time and has allowed me to slow down and become comfortable with the silence around me. Daily movement and meditation, and carving out time for myself, has been so important.
I’ve also been unlearning control. I wouldn’t call myself fully Type A, but I definitely like to know what’s going on around me and to feel like I am in control of my life. 2020 threw that right out the window and has been forcing me to be okay with the unknown. This year I moved to a new city, have been in two different apartments, adopted a cat, and had to adjust to life amidst a global pandemic. At the beginning of 2020, none of these things were on my radar—so control has definitely been something I let go of this year.
6. Working within the wellness industry, you probably get insight on the next new and upcoming thing whether it’s tips, a health trend, etc. What do you think is going to be the next big focus with regards to wellness and why?
I think with the way 2020 has been going, people are naturally focusing more on their mental health. One amazing thing that has come out of this year is the push to speak more freely about mental health, and a larger focus on your own well being. Within my own friend groups I’ve noticed we’ve made a shift to check in on each other more often and to honestly speak about how we’re feeling. I’ve also noticed more content creators and brands speaking more openly about mental health, as well as providing people with tools to really focus on how they’re doing and feeling. In 2021, I think we’re going to see more and more people speaking freely about mental health, and a larger focus on this from a lot of brands and people within the wellness industry.
7. As someone who works directly with creatives, what are some tips you can provide to those who wish to work with vitruvi?
One thing that’s always been important to me is creating a space that you’re proud of and that reflects who you are. This translates directly to the people we work with at vitruvi. I always look for people who are sharing content they love and believe in. When someone creates a space for themselves and their family and puts energy into this, it translates so beautifully into the content they create. All in all, the best thing you can do to work with any brand as a creative is to be authentic and show your true self.
8. vitruvi just launched Move and Stay, which I’m excited to try. What inspired the creation of these two products?
The inspiration for the Move and Stay diffusers came directly from our customers and content creators. We heard their requests for a cordless diffuser, as well as a diffuser that would fill large spaces for a longer amount of time. We took this feedback to heart and designed two diffusers that we felt would help the vitruvi community create scent systems in their homes. It’s been really cool to see everyone’s response now that they’re out in the world.
9. What are your personal favorite scents to diffuse?
Oh, this is a hard one. My favorite scents seem to change with the seasons, as well as what kind of mood I am in. At the moment I am obsessed with our Nightcap Blend, Ceremony Blend, Ginger Essential Oil (available in our limited-edition Home Refresh Kit), and Eucalyptus Essential Oil. I love using Ceremony while I am working out, taking a bath, or reading; Nightcap, Ginger, and Eucalyptus are my go-to’s for my workday or while I’m relaxing and watching some TV!
10. Lastly, what has 2020 taught YOU and what has 2020 taught vitruvi?
2020 has taught me to slow down, listen to myself, and put my energy into relationships that have a positive impact on my life. I think the same goes for vitruvi. Throughout this year, we’ve slowed down and ensured that we really listen to our customers and figure out how we can best serve them. It’s been a huge year of learning for everyone, and I don’t think any brands are exempt from that.
