2024 Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Bachelor of Commerce (Accountancy), 1998
Amanda Essery is a visionary entrepreneur and innovator on a mission to create a better world.
Amanda founded the award-winning natural baby and skincare brand Lovekins in 2016, pioneering the use of Kakadu Plum, Quandong, and Australian Blue Cypress. Lovekins evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle brand, including vegan-certified nappies, natural Australian cotton period care, and cleaning products, generating over $20 million annually and expanding internationally.
Driven by a desire for positive change, Amanda has championed Indigenous literacy, mental health, habitat restoration, and period equity, donating countless products to those in need. In 2022, she strategically sold Lovekins and transitioned to her new venture, Kinside, in 2023.
Launched in August 2024, Kinside addresses a market gap with age-specific skincare for tweens and teens, co-created by its users. The brand sets new benchmarks for environmental responsibility, using patented natural actives, Australian botanicals, and upcycled ingredients, with carbon-neutral manufacturing and plastic-neutral partnerships.
Kinside is also committed to promoting mental well-being among teenagers. Through collaborations with NGOs and initiatives to combat screen addiction, Kinside encourages young individuals to reconnect with the world around them and embrace a balanced lifestyle.
Amanda’s dedication to innovation and her commitment to positively impacting the lives of young individuals worldwide continue to shape the future of skincare.
It is a privilege to present Amanda Essery for the Alumni Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.