Building businesses and brands is often defined by the 'bottom line.' This causes the question 'How much money will this make me?' to becomes the driving factor in all the decisions that are being made. What happens when you move to a values-based brand? How does that change the products that you make and the message that you share? Brendan Synnott has built several brands from Bare Naked Granola to Pact Clothing putting sustainable values above making more money. In the process, the brands have redefined the food and clothing sectors while making them more sustainable.
E57 | From Plastic Bottle to Designer Bags | Hamilton Perkins
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.
Discount Code: jumblethink at www.hamiltonperkins.com
E38 | Creating Sustainable Products | Mirza Tihic
Mirza Tihic left war torn Bosnia as a refugee to find a better life. Since then he as chased his dreams and become a well respected Entrepreneur and specialist in the world of Entrepreneurship. He is the CEO of Bey Designs, Co-Founder of North Side Learning Center, a consultant, and adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Syracuse University. In 2015 he won the Whitman School of Business Management's Dedication to Entrepreneurship Award.
Bey Designs are handcrafted gifts using all natural, recycled and reclaimed materials. Their cubes feature the unique skylines of New York City, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit, and Denver. These unique gifts have been features as a 'Forbes Top 10 Gifts for Travelers' and 'Featured in the New York Now Show Guide Cover'.
Topics covered in this episode: The importance of education, Sustainability, Solving Corruption, Immigration, Creating a business to help others, Teaching from a place of experience, and so much more.