#FollowHaPPEEarth
Say hello to Mary O'Riordan, the eco-hero behind HaPPE Earth! Hailing from the beautiful countryside of Cork, Mary is on a mission to tackle the plastic waste crisis with her innovative, compostable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 🌱
Inspired by the pandemic’s environmental impact, HaPPE Earth is all about sustainability and the circular economy, turning hospital waste into safe, nutrient-rich fertiliser.
Mary's journey as a founder is all about grit, integrity, and community spirit. With a passion for nature and a love for collaboration, she’s inspiring other women founders to trust themselves and embrace their unique paths.
Join Mary on her exciting adventure toward a greener future and #followHaPPEEarth
To get us started – how would you describe yourself in 6 words or less?
Understands the long game.
Tell us about your business and what inspired you to start it:
HaPPE Earth champions sustainability and the circular economy by offering CE-approved, compostable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that can be composted with hospital food waste in our on-site medicalised bio-digester, producing pathogen-safe fertiliser. Our process is monitored through a real-time ESG monitoring and reporting platform.
The business was inspired by the massive amount of plastic waste generated during the COVID pandemic. We aimed to create a circular and safe solution to lessen the environmental impact, taking practical action for change rather than simply advocating for it.
Tell us a little more about you:
I've spent many years in medicine, which has given me deep insights into healthcare issues. I grew up in rural northwest Cork, where I spent much of my childhood exploring the woods. My love for nature drives my commitment to ensuring we preserve it for future generations.
The sheer volume of ‘stuff’ and waste in today’s world is alarming. Reflecting on my childhood, I realise it was never material things that made me happiest.
I love the freedom and challenge of the founder life, despite the risks it brings. Starting a company in a disruptive field is risky, but it allows for greater personal expression in the world.
Fill us in on your female founder journey:
Being a founder demands grit. There’s no way around it. You need enough belief in your ideas to overcome any self-doubt. Public speaking was never my forte, but starting a business has pushed me out of my comfort zone for its sake.
In a disruptive business model, some people will love it, and others won’t understand it. Initially, negative feedback was tough, but now we view it as valuable information to digest. There’s too much work to dwell on the negatives.
How has being part of the AwakenHub community helped your business?
I love the sense of community AwakenHub offers. There’s always someone available for sound advice. The wealth of experience in the Hub ensures you feel supported, and I trust the network to act with our best interests at heart.
The platform’s resource library is excellent, and the seminars feature some of the best business leaders around.
We want to foster collaboration and support within our community. If you have a specific need or request, let us know so we can help each other out!
We will soon be building our advisory board, so we’d appreciate any help on structuring it, who to include, and standard remuneration practices.
As a founder, what are your non-negotiables? What values or principles do you live by? Who or what inspires you?
Integrity is one of our core values. I am inspired by those who follow the truth of their own hearts. A phrase that resonates deeply with me is: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." It’s becoming more relevant each day at HaPPE.
Where do you see yourself in 12 months and 5 years?
In 12 months, I see myself waking up satisfied and at peace with whatever the day holds.
In 5 years, I see myself doing the same. 😊
What are your top three tips for other women founders?
Dedicate 10–20 minutes a day to silence and solitude, without distractions. This practice will change your life and must be a top priority. You'll be amazed at what resolves itself when you sit with your own multidimensional self.
The ability to multitask is a gift, but it can also be a curse if you don’t switch it off daily.
Trust yourself. Everything else flows from this inner clarity.
To finish, what are six words to live by?
Take a moment, then carry on.
