The Ecopreneur Show

If you're an ecopreneur wondering how to take a new idea in sustainability and learn how to make a viable business out of it or a multi-passionate ecopreneur, I can't recommend this episode enough! 

This episode is for ecopreneurs that wants to learn more about climate justice, how to be transparent as an environmentalist, and create honest + safe spaces.  

Isaias Hernandez is the creator of Queer Brown Vegan where he makes accessible environmental education content. As a Queer, Brown, and Vegan environmentalist, he seeks to provide a safe space for other like-minded environmentalists to engage in the discourse of the current climate crisis. 

If you’re trying to figure out how to move forward even though so many of our current systems are complex.This episode is all about ways to navigate these systems, and in this case it’s the fashion industry.

A couple months ago I sat down with Rachel Faller, the founder of Tonle, Cambodia’s first zero-waste fashion brand.  Rachel is recognized internationally as an industry leader and an entrepreneur who has worked in ethical fashion for over 12 years.

We also talk about social justice in the fashion industry and how do you take action when they will always be pros and cons to a business.

Welcome to a special episode for the Black Lives Matter Movement. If you're looking for some ideas and inspiration on how you can take action for the Black Lives Matter Movement as an ecopreneur then this is the episode for you. 

In this short but powerful episode you'll hear from entrepreneurs in different fields of sustainability on how they are taking action for the BLM movement.  Activism can be seen in many different ways.  

Ecopreneurs on the show: 

This week's episode is with Emma Cohen, the founder of Final, whose whole mission is to create reusable product that reduce the need for single use products.

You might have seen their kickstarter campaign Final Straw, the first collapsible straw, in 2018 or maybe you’ve seen them on Shark Tank.

During COVID-19, plastic + waste pollution has been at an all time high, in this episode I wanted to know Emma's thoughts from a company who's whole mission is to reduce single use plastic, we also talk about why plastic pollution needs to be addressed, and the problem with how we perceive waste.  

Hey ecopreneurs! I've decided to release this episode because it talks about importance of workers rights. That most of our clothes and products are made in factories where workers' rights are limited or non-existent.

As someone who has a background in sustainable fashion, 

I've had learned that just because a manufacturer says that they have good working conditions doesn't necessarily means its true. 

That's why, I'm so stoked to share this episode with you! This week we're featuring Kelly Peyton who actually flew to visit the factories when she was building her business, 

 Ma Wovens, a conscious woven goods brand and makers of The Ritual Rug, a handwoven yoga mat made from sustainable, organic hemp yarn and non-toxic rubber.

In this episode I interviewed the founder, Kelly Peyton. We talk about how she built Ma Wovens from the ground up, and to truly be a conscious company she personally visited the factories. 

Want to learn more about intersectional environmentalism + how you can take action as an ecopreneur for the Black Lives Matter Movement then this is episode for you! 

In this episode I sat down with Moji Igun of Blue Daisi Consulting whose mission is to serve small businesses by connecting them with the tools and resources they need to reduce waste and implement more earth-friendly business practices. In these conversations we talk about intersectional environmentalism, what the consulting process looks like with Blue Daisi consulting, and what current actions we can take for climate justice as ecopreneurs.

Did you know that 2 billion plastic razors are thrown away every year in the US alone?  In the episode I sat down with Andrew LaCenere, the founder of Albatross, where they create a sustainable shaving solution, by making a plastic free reusable razor. They're a closed loop business, one you're done with your used blades, you mail it back to them where they make them into their Take Back Ware, a metal utensil set.  Pretty sweet right? 

We talk about how he created the Blade Take Back Program, why plastic pollution is correlated with climate change, and taking an idea and running with it.

Every wondered how to to build a business around your sustainable lifestyle? Then this the episode for you! 

This week I hung out with with Christine also know as the well known blogger + youtuber Simply by Christine. She's also the author of Sustainable Home. In this episode we talk about how she build a business around her passions, how she started her blog and youtube channel, and how she wrote her book. 

NOTE: This episode was recorded before COVID-19.

Connect with Christine here:

NOTE: This episode was recorded before COVID-19.

In this episode I hung out with with Derrick Chao, the founder of Filljoy: whose mission is to reduce single-use plastic, packaging and product waste in retail environments. They are dedicated to supporting grocery stores and zero waste refill shops achieve their sustainability goals. Filljoy’s innovative technology solution makes it easier for customers to say no to single-use plastic and reduce waste by buying only what they need. They've designed an ecosystem where customers can shop conveniently with their own reusable containers, their kiosk and three-step tap & weigh system makes it quick and fun to shop and pay - without waste, hassle or excess packaging.

We talk about how he left his job from Google after being there for 5 years, how he built Filljoy, and the future of sustainable shopping. 

Connect with Filljoy here: 

NOTE: This episode was recorded before COVID-19. 

In this episode I hung out with with Hawnuh Lee the founder / designer / illustrator behind Closed Loop Cooking, a food media platform focused on reducing food waste and single use kitchen items. Closed Loop Cooking is the culmination of Hawnuh’s multidisciplinary creative approach. The platform is at the intersection of design education, storytelling, and sustainability–pulling inspiration from her 10+ years of restaurant experience and professional design work.

We talk about all things food waste, being vegan and low waste in different cultures, and also fun ways to reduce your waste at home! 

Connect with Closed Loop Cooking here: 

This is part 2 for the ecopreneur that wants to start a sustainable blog, create community, or learn more about slow fashion!

In this episode, I interviewed Chloe, also known as Conscious by Chloe. We talk about slow fashion and curating a capsule wardrobe, how to create community, and being known for sustainability. 

You can find her amazing blog here: 

This is part 1 for the ecopreneur that wants to start a sustainable blog, running workshops, or be a sustainable public speaker! 

 In this episode, I went to Seattle to interview my good friend, Jenica, the owner of Zero Waste Wisdom, a blog about zero waste, DIY, clean beauty, and how to reduce your carbon footprint.

We talk about how to start an environmentally conscious blog, collaborating with other brands, becoming a public speaker in sustainability, and all the essentials you need to learn how to start doing zero waste + DIY workshops! 

You can connect with Jenica from Zero Waste Wisdom here: 

If you're an ecopreneur thats interested in how to start a zero grocery store or already is running one, then this is the episode for you! This week, I interviewed Stephanie Lentz, the founder of Scoop Marketplace, one of the first zero waste grocery stores in Seattle. We dive into honest conversations on things she's learned after starting the store, how she got the funding, what her best selling products are, and so many other pieces of wisdom! 

Every wondered how to create authentic and meaningful content? In the episode I interviewed, Alex, the co-founder of Good Intent, an online resource for low waste living. And low waste living online store and pop-up. In just one year, the founders Alex and Lindsay, went from zero to a 20K community on Instagram. We talk about their strategies such as how to create original content, how to be consistent, and create a genuine voice on social media. 

This week, I interviewed Drea Johnson, the founder of Hidden Opulence, an alterations service specializing in upcycling, mending and tailoring and small batch production. In this episode we talk about how she created her alterations business in a fast fashion world, how mending is also a form of individuality, and why upcycling is the future of fashion.