When Allison turned 29, she did something bold—she stopped settling. Tired of pouring her talent into fast fashion and a system she didn’t believe in, she launched Activist Skincare, a values-driven beauty brand focused on sustainability, ethical sourcing, and radical transparency. From refillable packaging to refusing to sell on Amazon, Allison has built Activist as a true alternative for conscious consumers who want to care for their skin and the planet. In this interview, she shares how she made the leap, what keeps her going, and why being a small business owner is a little bit like running a circus (in the best way possible).
LBC: Tell us about your business! What inspired you to start it, and how did your entrepreneurial journey begin?
Allison: I started working on Activist when I turned 29, took a look at my life, and realized that I was putting the bulk of my time and energy into a career that didn’t align with my values. At the time, I was a graphic designer working in fast fashion and I didn’t want that to be the mark I left on the world. Helping to manufacture demand for poorly-made, practically disposable stuff made in sweatshops was totally out of character for me, yet somehow that’s where I was (trying to make a living is not always straightforward). I began attending meetups for entrepreneurs, took a product formulation course, and used what I learned about marketing to start a skincare brand with giving back built into the business model. I did it on the side for the first three years, and after I became a mom I dropped my day job.
LBC: What has been your proudest moment so far—and what’s been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?
Allison: I was recently honored with an award for Activist’s refillable packaging system by an industry group focused on sustainable packaging solutions and reducing single-use plastic. It was amazing to be recognized by experts in the industry for something that felt like a risky idea. When I started offering refills, they were unheard of and I was worried that there was some big, bad reason why refills are not standard. It turns out that refills work amazing, there is no risk — we just have a super wasteful status quo for packaging in personal care products.
LBC: At Little Blue Cart, we connect conscious consumers with progressive businesses. What values guide your business, and what issues matter most to you as an entrepreneur?
Allison: My entire life, protecting the environment and animals has been one of my top values. As I got older, I became aware of feminism, fair working conditions, and corporate control over our political system, which have all become very important to me. Activist Skincare allows me to reduce environmental pollution through refills, use sales income to create a small revenue stream going to support environmental causes, source organic, ethical and cruelty-free ingredients, and run an independently owned and operated business selling directly to my customers to give conscious consumers an alternative to the massive corporations and billionaire-backed brands that dominate the marketplace and our government. (You won’t find Activist on Amazon!) Being an entrepreneur also gives me the flexibility to be a present mom, and I love that too!
“Money is power—and every purchase is a transfer of that power.”
LBC: Why is it important for small businesses and consumers to stand up for what they believe in—especially right now?
Allison: Money is power in this world, and as we go about our daily lives we are exchanging that power constantly over many little, and some big, transactions. If we shift our spending to align with our values, we gradually transfer power into the right hands and can create the change we want to see in this world. When small businesses speak up and let people know what they believe in, it facilitates that shift.
LBC: Fill in the blank: Being a small business owner is ___ but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Allison: A circus!
Ready to care for your skin and your values? 💙 Shop Activist Skincare to support a woman-owned, sustainability-focused business that’s walking the walk—from refillable packaging to ethical sourcing to standing up against corporate greed. Every purchase helps build a better, more beautiful future—one that’s rooted in transparency, intention, and impact.
👉 Explore the collection at Activist Skincare and shop with purpose today.
