Green Heroes: Leah Robson, Founder Of Your Energy Your Way

After a career in IT, Leah Robson began working for a firm installaing solar panels and heat pumps before going on to set up her own company, Your Energy Your Way, in 2018. The Surrey-based business now provides bespoke renewable energy systems for homes and business across southeast England. We sat down with Leah to hear more about it.

Interview: Leah Robson, Founder & Managing Director Of Your Energy Your Way

When was your green lightbulb moment?

After I had my children I was thinking about returning to work. Thinking about the world they were going to inherit sent me in a green direction rather than returning to my previous job.

What motivated you to launch your brand? 

I had worked on building sites and in people’s homes installing green heating and solar panels for four years and hadn’t once met a female tradesperson. All the women I met were cleaners, architects or interior designers. Your Energy Your Way sets out to change that by training female plumbers and electricians.

What do you want people to know about your brand – what are its values and aim? 

YEYW is a champion for the green energy industry. We’re committed to providing reliable and effective solutions that ensure our customers’ homes are powered correctly for the future. Our focus is on innovation and development and we aim to strengthen the industry from the inside out, giving customers the confidence to know that they’re in safe hands.

Unlike big players who provide cookie-cutter solutions or small independent suppliers who don’t have the knowledge, skills or business practices to deliver quality solutions, YEYW is the brand who is saying it’s time to stand up to the icky practices and false news noise. Our business is for house-proud homeowners who want to ensure that their castles are secure for the future. We’re going to beat the competition by continuing our legacy role at the heart of the sector, empowering and developing the industry’s future by training the next generation of expert installers and Elite Practitioners.

What makes you feel positive about a sustainable future? 

We have the technology that we need to meet most of the challenges we face, we just need to get on and implement it.

And what are the facts that make you fearful?

Increased political divisiveness about green issues and the efforts to frame our green response as a threat to working people’s livelihoods, when actually there are loads of opportunities for good green jobs that will improve people’s lives.

Who is your own green hero?

Jordan Brompton – she has started a green technology firm in a male dominated world and done a great job of it.

Your favourite product – and tell us why we can feel good about buying it? 

AKT deodorant. It works really well, smells great and has all-natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging

Name three other of your favourite brands who are doing the right thing and why you like them? 

My first fabourite would be Alpkit, a BCorp brand which makes great outdoor clothing and emphasises the circular economy. I also love Lush Cosmetics, which has managed to create a mainstream business with minimal packaging. My final favourite is Riverford Organics, which sells lovely food and has switched to being a fully employee-owned, certified B Corp business dedicated to paying the Real Living Wage.

What are the biggest challenges in running a sustainable business? 

Making money AND doing the right thing. Each one easier on its own.

What advice can you give to other businesses who are wanting to do better?

That it’s worth spending some time working out which actions are going to bring the biggest CO2 reduction for the least effort.  Too many businesses sweat the small stuff that has little actual impact.

Three things we should all, as individuals, be doing to help in the climate change fight?

Get a heat pump fitted (of course), then look at your diet and try and minimise meat consumption. Then reduce your air travel.

What sustainable business practices are you most proud of? 

We are a 60:40 female to male business in an industry with a 2:100 ratio in general.

Best piece of advice to anyone thinking about launching a sustainable business? 

Know your limitations and surround yourself with people who do really well at the things you do badly.

yourenergyyourway.co.uk