The idea
 The idea that started The Yes Yes Company Ltd in 2003 arose between two friends, Susi Lennox and Sarah Brooks. Sarah and Susi met in the late 80s and were long standing friends and colleagues who simultaneously reached a point in life where they wanted to devote themselves to something new, daring and worthwhile, something that reflected their values and ethics.
"Having worked at Pfizer when Viagra was launched, we were aware of the need for effective products in the intimacy arena. What we discovered was a gap in the market for a pure and natural personal lubricant. We set out to 'change the world from the inside' by creating a new concept: A certified organic, plant-based natural range of intimacy products"
Susi and Sarah's experience of working in the Drug Safety divisions of major pharmaceutical companies meant they were very aware of the health risks associated with certain synthetic, chemical ingredients. They set themselves the challenge of designing a range of intimacy products that would be completely benign, have no side effects, free of all known skin irritants and be highly effective.
"An analysis of competitors' ingredients horrified us. We found that almost every other intimate care product available followed a similar, derivative synthetic formulation. These chemical formulations rely on a glycerin or silicone base, and disquieting ingredients such paraben preservatives and propylene glycol, all of which have been shown to have potentially harmful effects on the body, and particularly the more vulnerable and highly sensitive intimate tissues. This made us determined to offer pure and high performing alternatives, which would enhance, rather than compromise, intimate health".
 Susi and Sarah set up in business in May 2003, after six weeks on the north coast of Bali (yes, it was a completely perfect place to plan Yes), reviewing their lives, ways of working together and their personal values that defined the ethics that now governs their business. They then spent three and a half years researching, planning and formulating products, and started trading in August 2006. To fund the business start-up and long R&D period, both Susi and Sarah sold their houses. Sarah is the Chemist. Susi is the English graduate, and rather handy with words. They are both adept at juggling test tubes and subjunctives.
Why does Product Purity matters to us?
Our skin absorbs many of the chemicals contained in face creams, soaps, personal care products and cosmetics. Statistics have shown that approximate 60% of what goes on the skin can get in to the blood stream. Stories of the risks from ingredients like paraben preservatives or phthalate plasticizers regularly hit the press. There is growing concern about chemicals in personal products and their possible effects.
The mucosa or mucous membranes (the mouth, eyes, intestine, vagina, rectum and penis tip) are especially vulnerable, as they do not have the protective layer of skin, the Stratum corneum. This means chemicals can more easily be absorbed into the bloodstream as there is no protective barrier. That's why making the purest products possible for use on the delicate mucosal membranes is so important.
 Somewhere between 50-80% of menopausal women experience vaginal dryness caused by declining estrogen levels. This rarely discussed problem can cause pain during intercourse, elevated vaginal pH leading to thrush and frequently a condition called atrophic vaginitis where even sitting down can hurt. Chemically induced menopause as with breast cancer treatment or having a hysterectomy creates the same effect, as can pregnancy, breast-feeding, taking anti depressants, the Pill or anti histamines or suffering from stress. This means that most women have a need for lubricants or vaginal moisturizers at some stage in their lives.
Sarah and Susi decided all Yes products needed to be certified in such a way that reflected their ethics but would also demonstrate unequivocally that Yes is as pure as is possible.
By Pure they mean all Yes products are:
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Free from hidden synthetic chemicals (harmful or not) |
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Free from all known mucosal irritants |
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Natural
Ingredients (plant based and occurring in Nature) |
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Beneficial (using plants that are known to benefit the mucosa and skin) |
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Cruelty Free (never tested on animals and no animal body parts) |
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Feel really good on skin and work really really well |
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Look good, no smutty images or demeaning language on the packaging |
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Be transparent about their ingredients and benefits |
 We communicate this purity by third party validation. We chose the Certified Organic route, with the Soil Association. Intimate products and natural lubricants in particular are not typically certified organic; we are proud of the fact that in 2011, nearly six years later, Yes products are still the only certified organic range of personal lubricants anywhere in the world – that we can find. Beware of personal lubricants that call themselves organic, or say certified organic ingredients; this is not the same at all. If a product says it is Organic but does not carry a certifying logo, (for food this is illegal, but not yet for cosmetics and personal care products) it is (we believe) a nasty marketing trick and we hates it. We care so passionately about this green washing that we are creating a name and shame page – for all those personal care products that call themselves Organic but are not certified. The Organic certification guarantees so much more than the ingredients, this page tells you more: Why Certified Organic Lubricants?
The guaranteed purity of the Yes product range means that women who have undergone breast cancer treatment are having it recommended by specialist nurses. The range does not contain any hormone mimics and is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin.
Why did we call our lubricants Yes?
Finding the right name took almost as long as discovering that none of the natural preservative systems we tested worked (like Grapefruit seed extract or Enzymes). Have you ever read Ulysses by James Joyce? Thank goodness Susi did. It is a long seduction, and on the last page, gosh does she say Yes. Beautifully, wonderfully and repeatedly. It had to be YES.
Yes is also such a positive word, a solid clear affirmation of what we set out to achieve.
More recently rather a fine quote has come to our attention "Sex is not the answer, Sex is the question. Yes is the answer”.
Interviews and Profiles in the Media
| Jan 10 |
 SAGA. Susi and Sarah, co-founders of Yes® are featured in an article on the subject of older entrepreneurs thriving throughout the recession. |
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| Sep 09 |
 Life in Petersfield magazine. An interview with the co-founders of Yes® on their rapidly expanding international business. |
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| Jun 09 |
 Daisy Green magazine. An interview with Sarah and Susi, co-founders of Yes® about inspiration, taboos and the art of pleasure. |
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| May 09 |
 Southern Daily Echo. Business personality profile of Susi Lennox and Sarah Brooks, co-founders of Yes®. |
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| Sep 08 |
 A
profile of Yes PI, producers
of Yes® products,
in Business First magazine. Some background
information regarding the founders Sarah Brooks
and Susi Lennox, the company and the products.
The double spread article is on Pages 62-63. |
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| 2009 |
 Thank you to all of our customers and site visitors that voted for us in the Triodos Women in Ethical Business Awards 2009, run in association with The Times newspaper.
Yes® Natural Lubricants were named as the Ethical Small Business Award winners |
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