Podcast 195: Birch Babe’s journey from middle age to beauty entrepreneur

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, we dive into the amazing and inspiring journey of Formula Botanica graduate Debbie Alger, who is the founder and lead skincare creator of the Canada-based skincare company. Birch Babe. Her story is one of the more unusual we’ve come across for a hobbyist turned professional beauty entrepreneur.

Debbie’s passion for clean beauty and sustainable practices led her to embark on a 6-month solo trek from Patagonia to Chile, ultimately inspiring the creation of Birch Babe. From humble beginnings as a DIY maker, Debbie, with the help of her daughters, has grown Birch Babe into a thriving natural skin care company offering over 50 products. Join us as we explore her entrepreneurial journey, which began in her 60s, and the key lessons she learned along the way.

Want to feel inspired? You will be. Tune in for today’s interview with Debbie from Birch Babe.

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Inspirational quote from our guest:

If you have a dream and don’t do it, then it’s always a lost cause unless you go out and do it. I was 58 years old when I started making little lip tins. Now I’m almost 65 and I have a company – Debbie Alger

In this episode with Birch Babe founder Debbie Alger, you’ll hear about:

• A passion born in Patagonia: Discover how Debbie’s solo trek from Patagonia to Chile ignited her passion for the environment and led to the creation of Birch Babe.
• The Birch Babe product range: Explore our extensive line of products from head to toe care products, hair products, face serums, men’s grooming and more, all rooted in nature and with organic ingredients.
• Building Birch Babe as a Family: Learn about the central role Debbie’s daughters played in rebranding and expanding Birch Babe, turning it into a family business.
• From DIY to big stores: Learn about the challenges and triumphs of growing Birch Babe from craft fairs to more than 300 stores and Debbie’s ambitions to break into major retail chains while maintaining eco-friendly practices.
• Certifications and Sustainability: Understand the importance of certifications, such as USDA and Mora, and Birch Babe’s commitment to sustainability, using 99% plastic-free packaging and compostable seals.

Packed essentials include:

• Passion as a driving force: Debbie’s unwavering passion for the environment and clean beauty fuels her dedication to creating products that benefit both consumers and the planet.
• Family-centered business values: Birch Babe’s success is deeply rooted in family partnership, with Debbie’s daughters contributing their talents to rebranding, marketing and running the business.
• Eco-friendly innovation: Birch Babe stands out by prioritizing environmentally friendly practices, including using recycled cardboard packaging and minimizing the use of plastic, setting a benchmark for sustainability in the beauty industry.
• Balancing growth and values: As Birch Babe aims to expand into big box stores, the challenge lies in aligning with larger retailers while staying true to the brand’s ethos of providing reliable, environmentally conscious products.
• The role of continuous learning and development: Debbie emphasizes the constant pursuit of knowledge and adaptation, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to staying ahead of industry trends and maintaining high-quality formulations.

Meet our guest: Debbie Alger

Debbie Alger, the founder and lead skincare creator of Birch Babe, is a seasoned entrepreneur, health advocate and nature lover. From interior designer to fitness instructor and successful coffee shop franchise owner, Debbie’s diverse background reflects her passion for connecting people to health and the environment.

Inspired by a transformative solo trek through Patagonia in Chile, Debbie founded Birch Babe to create skin care products that prioritize both personal well-being and environmental health. With a Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation and an Advanced Diploma in Organic Cosmetic Science from Formula Botanica, Debbie combines her extensive knowledge of ingredients and scientific expertise to create Birch Babe’s globally acclaimed products.

Along with her two daughters, Kelsey and Lindsay, who are as passionate about the environment as their mother, Debbie and Birch Babe are on a mission to help as many people as possible make easy lifestyle choices for better health of their bodies and our planet. .

Connect with Debbie Alger and explore Birch Babe:
Birch Babe and Birch Baby websites.
Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube |

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on iTunes, Spotify the Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier is a biologist, certified environmentalist, and CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetics school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica team.