The Cheeky Panda: How Two Entrepreneurs Turned Bamboo Into a Global Green Movement

Dear Reader,

I am here with yet another brand story, but this week, i have decided to write something positive and give the critic inside me a break. So, here is the story of an entrepreneur couple, Chris Forbes and Julie Chen. 

When Chris Forbes 🌲🌍 and Julie Chen stumbled upon the idea of bamboo tissue products during a trip to Asia, little did they know they were planting the seeds for a global eco-revolution.

What began as a curious discovery quickly became a bold mission to disrupt the hygiene industry, resulting in The Cheeky Panda.

Today, their playful panda logo is synonymous with sustainability, but the journey from concept to global success wasn’t without its challenges.

In 2016, Chris and Julie were struck by the environmental impact of traditional tissue production. Every year, millions of trees are cut down to make products that are used once and discarded. Bamboo, on the other hand, offered a renewable, fast-growing alternative, one that could produce softer, stronger tissue without depleting forests.

“When we saw how bamboo could replace trees in hygiene products, it just clicked,” Forbes said in an interview with Happy Eco News. “We realised we had a chance to build a business that was not just profitable but truly impactful for the planet.”

Their idea was as cheeky as their branding: take a product as mundane as tissue paper and turn it into a statement of eco-conscious living.

With its playful branding, the company appealed to a new generation of consumers who wanted sustainability without sacrificing quality or style. Forbes credits their approach to sophisticated storytelling. “You can be sustainable and still be fun, modern, and engaging,” he shared.

Their gamble paid off. From securing a listing in Boots to breaking into 25 countries, The Cheeky Panda became a leader in the green hygiene space. In 2022, their products earned a coveted spot on NHS shelves, further cementing their credibility in the UK.

While their vision was clear, building a sustainable business was no small feat. Forbes admits that educating consumers about bamboo’s benefits was a major hurdle. 

“Most people don’t think about where their tissues come from,” he said. “We had to connect the dots for them, why bamboo is better for the planet and how it’s part of a circular economy.”

To walk the talk, The Cheeky Panda ensured every part of its supply chain aligned with its values. Their products are vegan-certified, plastic-free, and made using bamboo that regenerates naturally. By adopting a lifecycle approach, they reduced their carbon footprint and set an example for other brands to follow.

A key ingredient in The Cheeky Panda’s success has been collaboration. Whether it’s working with organisations like the NHS or engaging with corporate clients looking for sustainable solutions, the company has leveraged partnerships to amplify its impact.

One notable collaboration came with NetSuite, which helped them scale operations as they expanded internationally.

This strategic investment in technology ensured they could keep up with demand without compromising quality.

The company’s commitment to sustainability has inspired a wave of eco-conscious entrepreneurs, proving that business can be a force for good. For Forbes and Chen, their journey is far from over.

“The world doesn’t need more products; it needs better products,” Forbes said. “If we can inspire other businesses to think the same way, that’s the real win.”

As sustainability becomes more than just a trend, The Cheeky Panda shows what can happen when people combine their passion with purpose. 

Forbes put it best: “We’re not just selling bamboo tissues; we’re showing the world that there’s a better way to do business.”

One Bamboo Roll at a time!

Akanksha