After starting his career in media, Josh Howard switched gears and moved to New York City, where he worked for startups that blurred the lines between content and commerce. Then, in 2020, he launched his own business, eco-friendly soap brand Single Use Ain’t Sexy. The self-proclaimed ‘Berocca of hand soap’ has enjoyed rapid growth over the last few years and now provides waterless soap tablets to offices and businesses nationwide. It is available on supermarkets shelves by way of Woolw
olworths, and was named one of Inside Retail’s 20 Coolest Retailers of 2022.
Here, we ask Howard about the lessons he’s learned about leadership over the last few years, and how he connects with other founders to learn about the art of running your own business.
Inside Retail: What are some of the key leadership lessons you’ve picked up over the course of your career?
Josh Howard: There are so many! Don’t try and do everything alone. When you want help, ask for advice. Businesses can be built off the back of cold outreach. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Say yes to (almost) everything. No one knows what they’re doing. Just get in the arena and give it a crack.
IR: Where do you go for career advice? Do you have any business heroes?
JH: I’m a really curious person and feel like a sponge when it comes to learning and seeking advice. There are so many different people and mediums to learn from, we are spoilt for choice these days.
I rely heavily on other founders and friends with businesses, our advisory board members, mentors I’ve met along my career journey and interesting people I meet when I’m out and about. I also think YouTube and podcasts are a great source of business advice and inspo.
IR: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career and how have you dealt with them?
JH: Creating and running your own business is bloody hard work. The challenges and demands on your time are unrelenting, so it really becomes a game of resilience. I’m quite a structured person, so it’s been a weird experience having to get comfortable with the chaos, mess and unpredictability of growing a startup.
IR: Do you have any “work hacks” for getting things done?
JH: Absolutely. Like most of us, my whole life is about work hacks and streamlining efficiencies to make things quicker and simpler – so we can get more done.
These include: having an awesome team, not jumping between tasks, turning off notifications, sticking to Inbox Zero and always being open to better ways of doing things. Ultimately, my biggest hack is probably being extremely organised – it sounds boring, but it’s my secret weapon.
IR: Do you have any hobbies that help you switch off and stay balanced?
JH: Lately I’ve been doing a lot of boxing. There is nothing I like better than getting in the gym and breaking a sweat. You don’t think about anything else and you don’t have access to your phone – it’s heaven.
