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As an Adelady, I’m familiar with the dreaded menstrual cycle that hits once a month. Fortunately though, I have easy access to sanitary products — but not all are as lucky, which is why these two inspirational Adeladies, Isobel and Eloise, started up TABOO

1. Who are you / what do you do / what’s your background story?

Izzy: My name is Isobel Marshall and I am 21 years old. I am in my second year of studying medicine at Adelaide uni and am one of the Co-Founders of TABOO. I was actually born in London but have lived in Adelaide since I was 2 years old. I absolutely love people and hearing about their experiences and opinions over a coffee or a glass of wine! I love travelling, dogs, hanging out with my friends, family time, sharing ideas and going on a long run on a sunny day. I must admit, those relaxing things come around rarely these days, but they do motivate me to work harder!

Eloise: My name is Eloise Hall, I’m 20 and am in my second year studying a double degree in Business and International Relations at Flinders University. I work as a waitress at an awesome restaurant in the city and most excitingly I am one of the Co-Founders and Co-Directors of TABOO Sanitary Products! I was born and bred in Adelaide and recently moved house for the first time in my LIFE to live with some friends and their very cute animals. I love to experience new things, places and cities and love to challenge my perspective of life by listening to other peoples experiences and stories. I’ll never pass up a delicious meal or a glass of nice wine especially if it’s enjoyed in the sunshine!

2. What’s a saying that you repeat to yourself to pick yourself up?

Izzy: There are MANY! A foundational one that motivates me to work on TABOO with refreshed passion and energy is a Proverb from the bible. It reads “She is clothed in strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future”.  Otherwise, I often tell myself that “those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind” or  “It’s not going to kill me”!

Eloise: I love reminding myself that life is seasonal, there’s time for laughter and there’s time for sadness and that’s that! There’s also a time to be productive and there’s required time for rest. My journey through launching TABOO has taught me to trust that things will fall into place and sometimes stress is a complete waste of time and energy!

3. What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?

Izzy: My mum tells me frequently that you can’t rely on your feelings. This helps me to keep things in perspective when the emotions (or hormones!) are running high. It also helps me to make measured decisions and avoid a freakout.

Eloise: Ob la di, ob-la-da, life goes on” by the Beatles is always something that I come back to! Life does go on regardless of what life hands you. It’s a great piece of advice for all patches of life. It reminds me to not get caught up in just the lows or just the highs but maintain constant contentment and joy through all seasons because regardless of my circumstance, life will go on! 

4. Whose the person that you look up to?

Izzy: My two Grandmas! Both of them were working women in the 50’s and 60s — one was a business owner and one was a radiologist. They are both so full of love, wisdom and encouragement and I love spending time with them and learning about their crazy lives. It shows me how times and people have changed — but have also really stayed the same!

Eloise: I really admire Greta Thunberg! I look up to her ability to work so passionately hard in environmental activism at such a young age. The fact that she found a way to sail across the globe to speak in America is so admirable and courageous.

5. What’s your favourite place in SA?

Izzy: I have a weird obsession with Port Elliot. It’s got to be my happy place I think! I also love Second Valley though — we sometimes anchor the fishing boat off the cliffs and just open a beer and swim around. I’m in love with summer in SA, especially on Kangaroo Island. Sorry, that was definitely more than one place — at least they have one common theme!

Eloise: I ADORE the Adelaide Hills. Strolling through Stirling or Crafers on a warm day my idea of a good time especially if I get to sit and enjoy a coffee too!

6. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Izzy: I have wanted to be an obstetrician and gynaecologist since I was in about year 8. I have definitely gone through solid phases of wanting to be an actress, a perfumer, a retailer, and run my own dog kennel/shelter.

Eloise: I, like many little people, had a bunch of careers that I wanted to pursue. I loved to sing and act, so was definitely sold on being a performer! I wanted to be a vet for a while too and also thought about going into social work or occupational therapy.

7. We love to celebrate the little wins – what was one of your most celebrated moments in your business?

Izzy: We hosted a 2 month-long crowdfunding campaign over summer 2017/18. We had a very big goal and worked every day over summer to see it happen! When we reached the goal and the campaign was closed, Eloise’s boyfriend Sam and my boyfriend Nick took us out for a BIG banquet dinner and it was such a night of celebration and relief!

Eloise: Only 2 weeks ago we opened up the container that was filled with our first batch of TABOO branded product! It was such an amazing feeling to know that 2.5 years of hard work has paid off and there are 20,000 boxes of product at our fingertips that need to be sold. It was overwhelming to look at but it’s growing more and more into excitement!

Millie Looker

Millie Looker

Writer, Content Creator, Events Manager and Operations sensation, she’s the backbone to ensuring Adelady runs like clockwork.

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