Case Study

Product Researcher & Web Retailer

Jonny Parker of Wow Wow
Information about Jonny Parker
Name Jonny Parker
Location Cornwall
Company Wow Wow Eco Products

"If you have motivation you can do anything you like. "

Jonny Parker

Overview

I’m Jonny Parker, a self-made product researcher and web retailer, and I’ve set up Wow Wow Eco Products, a website that specialises in environmentally friendly products and materials.
I studied as a packaging designer at university, but became disillusioned with the packaging industry, which at the time had no thought for the environment. As a result, I started designing sustainable packaging ideas, then came up with the idea to set up the website.
If you have motivation you can do anything you like.  It is important to learn and to do as well as you can, but having ideas and the drive to see them through is what’s been important to me.  My site didn’t exist until I invented it, it’s great to run something of your own making and be your own boss.

Tell us about your job – where do you work and what do you do?

I have 2 jobs - 4 days a week I work as a design studio manager in St Austell, Cornwall, and the rest of the week I run my own website, an online shop that sells environmentally positive products. I’ve been running the site for 2 years.

What inspired you to do what you do?  How did you get into it, did you have a plan?

I studied as a packaging designer at university, but became disillusioned with the packaging industry, which at the time had no thought for the environment. As a result, I started designing sustainable packaging ideas, then I came up with the idea to set up a website.
Life kicked me in the backside to do it; no-one seemed to care about the effects that packaging has on the environment.  I left London and moved to Cornwall, working as a chef, then I had to leave that job to have a load of surgery done, and after that I couldn’t get a job. I felt as though I was getting nowhere. I enrolled at the local job centre, took a crash course in running my own business, got some funding from the Prince’s Trust, and started my idea.

Why is your job meaningful?  Both to you personally, and in how it benefits the wider world in terms of climate change and other environmental challenges.

My website showcases all different kinds of emerging technology using renewable energy, recyclates and environmentally friendly processes. I am really passionate about this area - the design and manufacturing industry is going through massive change, and all the new ideas and inventions excite me. I’m not a hard core tree hugger, because at the moment I think we can only change things if we make it profitable to do so.

Many jobs in this sector are very new, how long has your job existed?

My site didn’t exist until I invented it, and it’s something that keeps growing, but it’s great to run something of your own making and be your own boss.

What personal qualities do you think have got you where you are today?

I think ambition and motivation have helped me most.  When I hit rock bottom a few years ago, I realised that it was up to me to make a difference, by taking the initiative and focussing on what I wanted to do.

What qualifications do you have? Are these typical for people in your role?

I have a BA (Hons) in Packaging Design, and a BTEC in 3D design.

What do you think most helped you get where you are now?

As well as my academic studies, I trained and worked as a chef for 8 years; that experience gave me the ability to multi-task and to deal with stressful situations.

Please describe a typical working day

I work 9am – 5pm, 4 days a week, as a design studio manager then I do a day a week with Wow Wow.  I also work at weekends, normally on Saturdays from about 9am – 2pm.

What do you enjoy most and least about what you do?

The joys of my job are looking back and saying I started something, I created something of my own; that gives me a great sense of satisfaction.
The most stressful bit is doing 2 jobs at once, and keeping things sustainable so that I have a healthy work / life balance.

What kind of people do you meet through your work or do you work alone?

I meet all kinds of different people.  I’ve set up a sell page on my site, so I get to talk to all kinds of eco-inventors - from people who have started their own business making things from recyclable materials, to much larger suppliers who manufacture products. I even met someone who designed a radio-controlled car that runs on water!

Do you feel well paid for what you do, or is it not about the money?

For me, my job is not about the money, it’s about building something for the future. I don’t earn enough from it yet to draw a full time salary, but it keeps me ticking over. Environmental products don’t have high profit margins!

Finally, what do you know now about jobs, careers and the future that you wish you’d known when you were at school?

Whilst I think that education is important, it’s not everything. If you have motivation you can do anything you like.  A lot of young people go through school / college / university, where academic ability is everything; it is important to learn and to do as well as you can, but having ideas and the drive to see them through is what’s been important to me.

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