Way before Sprouts even existed, before I was a ‘girl boss’ or just ‘the lady with the plants’ as middle-aged men like to call me… Before I had employees relying on me financially and emotionally, I always believed that people should be paid what they’re worth. Tom and I both grew up in working-class homes, and we’ve each experienced the struggles of dealing with the benefits system and challenges related to health - whether physical or mental. Frankly, the system is a bit broken, but that’s a story for another day.
I was born in Liverpool and raised in a traditional Victorian 2-up-2-down housing association house by a single mother, who co-founded an amazing charity called Venus about 30 years ago. To this day, Venus works within local communities to address challenges like poverty, mental health, housing, and parenting. Growing up with this influence, I saw these issues firsthand, and they’ve stayed with me ever since.
I’ve always believed, and I can’t remember a time I didn’t, that the well-being of the community should be considered in every decision we make. It’s not always easy; sometimes there are two paths, and neither is perfect. In those moments, these decisions become all-consuming, taking over my mind and sometimes stopping me in my tracks. Surely making the world a better place for everyone should be simple, right?! But sometimes, even just doing a little bit - if that’s all we can manage in the moment - is the best choice we can make for right now.
I started working around the time I was finishing my GCSEs and remember earning £4 an hour, wondering why others over 21 made more when we all did the same work in the restaurant. Throughout my degree, I had to work multiple jobs to support myself; at one point, it was three. And after graduation, to gain the ‘experience’ expected for a design career, I took on unpaid internships, working evenings and weekends around full-time design roles. Looking back, I haven’t had a break from working since I was 16 - it’s no wonder that working hard has been all I know. Living and witnessing how people struggle to make ends meet has shown me just how important fair pay is.
What is the Real Living Wage?
The Real Living Wage is an hourly rate that reflects the true cost of living in the UK, allowing workers to meet essential needs like housing, food, and transport. Unlike the statutory minimum wage, which only considers legal requirements, the Real Living Wage is set higher to reflect actual living costs in different regions. This makes a crucial difference by reducing in-work poverty, supporting financial stability, and contributing to a fairer, more sustainable economy. By paying the Real Living Wage, employers improve their staff’s well-being and invest back into the local community.
We’re committed to paying this higher rate not only because our staff deserve it. We believe it should be a basic requirement for this country rather than a guideline for the true cost of living.
Did You Know?
Bristol was one of the first UK cities to be formally recognised by the Living Wage Foundation for its efforts to become a Living Wage City. Working alongside a group of local employers, Bristol City Council has been driving this change to reduce in-work poverty across the city. Check out Bristol One City for more information.
Why We Choose to Be a Real Living Wage Employer
The other evening, over a glass of wine in the garden, I asked Tom if he remembered how we decided to become a Real Living Wage Employer. Sitting on the same benches where we dreamed up Sprouts over cider a few years ago, he reminded me of the deep commitment we share to this principle, and it made me proud of how we’ve grown over the past 11+ years together.
'We always said when we started the business that we’d seek accreditation when we could. Everyone should be rewarded fairly for their time and effort. I remember getting paid £4-something working in retail as a teenager, and it felt ridiculous for the time and energy given. It didn’t exactly motivate me to do my best work. I wish we could pay people even more, as you should be able to do any job and live comfortably on your pay. The Living Wage helps with that, though realistically it might not go as far as we’d hope. But I want our team to know that we’re trying. Once we’re able to pay ourselves properly, any profits we make will be reinvested back into the business and our team so they can hopefully keep sprouting with us for a long time.' - Tom
If you’re new to this blog, you may not know that I don’t actually pay myself a full wage. It’s tough. We don’t have savings, wealthy families, or any backup plan if we fall short. Tom’s salary barely covers our bills, and starting Sprouts has been a major risk financially. But we wouldn’t have had the growth or the wonderful team we have today without this (perhaps slightly ridiculous) sacrifice. Though I wouldn’t mind being able to pay myself the Real Living Wage someday, too - that’s the goal for 2025!
Our commitment to the Real Living Wage has helped us build our incredible team, who genuinely believe in our mission and show dedication to Sprouts every day.
The Team’s Thoughts on Working for a Real Living Wage Employer
I wanted to get the team’s thoughts on what the Real Living Wage means to them. Here’s what they had to say:
'Working for a Living Wage employer has, in real terms, meant I can rely on my wage and have financial independence. It also shows me that my work is valued, which helps me take pride in it and feel appreciated for the effort I put in.' - Rhianna
'The cost of living keeps going up. It’s comforting to know I can work reasonable hours and earn enough to live. I also appreciate that the Living Wage is different from minimum wage, so I’m grateful I can earn in line with living costs.' - Jazz
'I’ve worked many minimum-wage jobs, and even when you go above and beyond, it never feels valued—you quickly lose enthusiasm when you aren’t cared about. It’s nice knowing I’m paid fairly, which makes me want to work harder, especially for an indie business where every penny counts.' - Ferne
Setting a Positive Example as a Small Independent Business
As a small independent business, Sprouts relies on a dedicated team of four incredible women: Rhianna, Ferne, Jazz, and Molly. Each brings unique talents and strengths that help us keep Sprouts flourishing. Rhianna, our full-timer, has a degree in Classics and applies her skills to researching plants and writing blogs. Ferne runs her own creative business, Ferne Creative, and her wildlife-illustrated products are featured in the shop. Jazz is a talented painter, who has been thinking making greeting cards and printed goods, and Molly, a geography student returning from a year studying in France, aims to work in marine conservation.
If you’d like to learn more about Real Living Wage employers across the country, you can check out the Living Wage Foundation’s interactive map.
In the future, I hope we’ll be able to raise our team’s pay above the Real Living Wage and even offer benefits, but as with everything, this is a marathon, not a sprint. We’ll always be improving, growing, and finding new ways for Sprouts to make a positive impact.
And lastly, a heartfelt thank you to all our customers. By supporting Sprouts, you’re not only supporting us and the indie brands we stock but also voting for a fairer society.
