🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Interview with Kate Assaraf, Founder and CEO of Dip Sustainable Hair Care
At Dip, we believe your daily routine can make waves of change and we loved hearing our founder, Kate Assaraf, share that vision on the Positive Impact Philanthropy podcast (Episode 107). In the conversation, Kate dives into why Dip was created, how performance always comes first, and why sustainability should feel effortless—not overwhelming.
Why Dip Exists
Kate shared her personal story of working in the beauty industry and realizing how much plastic waste it produces. During her first pregnancy, she began learning how plastic impacts not only our oceans but also our health. That was the tipping point: she wanted to create hair care that worked as well as salon favorites without the waste.
That’s how Dip was born shampoo and conditioner bars that are salon-quality, color safe, and long-lasting, without the plastic bottles.
Performance First, Sustainability Always
One of Kate’s key points in the episode was that people buy shampoo and conditioner for one reason: they want great hair. If sustainability comes at the cost of performance, the product won’t last in people’s lives.
That’s why every Dip formula starts with performance. If our bars didn’t lather, detangle, and protect your hair, no one would keep using them. The sustainability piece is built in, you get the eco benefit without even thinking about it.
As Kate put it:
“You want people to accidentally be plastic-free because they love Dip, not because they have to.”
Making Change Doable
Kate also offered practical advice for anyone wanting to live with less waste:
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Start small. Don’t overhaul your whole life at once. Make swaps that fit naturally.
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Support refill shops. They’ve already vetted their products, making it easier to shop consciously.
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Celebrate progress. Every swap, no matter how small, adds up over time.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about building new habits that stick.
Leading With Values
Another highlight from the conversation was Kate’s perspective on leadership. Instead of chasing growth at all costs, she focuses on creating meaningful milestones for Dip, ones that support our team, our customers, and our planet.
As she explained:
“Set your own goalposts… so the smaller wins feel like real wins instead of just stress.”
This philosophy is baked into everything we do at Dip. We’d rather celebrate small, intentional wins than burn out chasing unsustainable growth.
Final Thoughts
Kate’s interview is a great reminder of what Dip stands for: high performance products, sustainable design, and a community that believes small choices add up to big change.
And if you’re ready to make a switch in your own routine, try one of our bars you’ll love the results, and the planet will love you back.
