On today's episode we chat with Hamilton Perkins, founder of the Hamilton Perkins Collection. He is creating an amazing company making designer bags affordable while also addressing the problems of sustainability and social responsibility. It all started with someone who wanted to solve a problem. It has now grown to be a brand that is changing the industry.
Hamilton Perkins Collection was born out of a simple necessity: the need for affordable designer bags that look good, perform well, and make a difference.
Similar to many travelers in the world they had trouble finding a socially conscious bag that met their basic needs in a practical and responsible way. They researched the industry and found that most options were average quality. The majority of the bag makers maintain low prices with high levels of secrecy around how they achieve it. Other bags are excellent quality and cost way too much for the price. What is available to the modern traveler looking to find purpose in every journey?
They founded Hamilton Perkins Collection to be an alternative for travelers on the go. Most brands look at philanthropy and giving as an afterthought but they see it as an essential part of running a business today. In collaboration with their workshops and suppliers, they are committed to supporting fair wages and delivering value to less developed nations by sourcing raw materials that divert plastic bottles, save water, add revenue, create jobs in parts of the world that need it the most. Who says style can't have purpose? From bottles to bags!
Topics covered in this episode: Sustainability, Upcycling, Green Products, Kickstarter and Crowdfunding, How to build an audience, Design, Working with the Clinton Foundation, Philanthropy and changing the world around you, Social Responsibility in Business, and so much more.