Re.Vert Ventures, Stories From Impact Entrepreneurs

In today’s episode we speak with Lauren Gropper, founder of Repurpose — a company creating compostable, plant-based alternatives to single-use plastic products.Repurpose supports the circular economy by replacing petroleum-based, single-use plastics with compostable materials designed to return safely to the earth after use, rather than persist in landfills or our ecosystems.The problem: Globally, over 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year, with a significant portion designed for single use. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, around half of all plastic produced is single-use, and only about 9% of plastic waste ever created has been recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, incinerated, or leaking into ecosystems—where it can take hundreds of years to break down.The solution: Repurpose offers compostable alternatives made from plant-based materials, designed to break down in industrial composting environments. By rethinking everyday items like cutlery, cups, and plates, the company reduces reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastics and helps shift consumption toward more regenerative systems.This conversation dives into the pursuit for real impact, how curiosity and conviction can shape an entirely new category, and how being a first mover in sustainable materials can be both an advantage and a challenge—while building a business that pushes consumers and systems to change.RepurposeYoutube Episode

In todays episode we speak with Claire Schlemme, the founder of Renewal Mill. A company up cycling fibrous byproducts from food manufacturing into high value ingredients. Renewal Mill  supports the circular economy by diverting food from landfill and ensuring all calories and nutrients dont go to waste but get a second life as a new food ingredient for consumption. The company focuses on flour alternatives as their main product, derived from Okara and soy, banana, oats, corn and pineapples, among others. The problem: In the US along, approximately 30-40% of the food supply is wasted - worth billions of dollars of wasted value, and all the water, fertilizer, land use, and labor involved in producing that. Producing methane which is 28X more warming impact than carbon dioxide - in some calculations food waste is one of the largest material found in landfill and municipal waste streams. Economic Research Service of the US - around 13.5% of Americans are food insecure - meaning they dont have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable nutritious food.  The solution: Renewal mill extends the life of these ingredients, still rich in nutrients, to create new healthy ingredients suitable for consumption and existing baking processes. Whether thats at home or industrial baking, these products extend the life, and help divert food waste going to landfill. This conversation dives into our pursuit for real impact, solving multiple problems within one solution family, the realities of up cycling food,  and how taking one step towards an idea brings about plentiful new opportunities!Renewal Mill: https://www.renewalmill.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq1q4XAdOSEmiCEMBk9seGcC3gkC1LzObqUjgQ4nBlAqw_Rz2RIFull YT episode: https://youtu.be/UTDFWuT474Y

In todays episode we speak with Cleo Escarez, the founder of Redyoos. A company focused on supporting the clean energy transition through recycling jewelry and precious metals. Redyoos supports the circular economy by reducing the need for mining for new finite precious metals, and provides a direct end of life solution for consumers and businesses to properly discard their pieces.  The problem:  Precious metals like silver and gold are critical for green technology like solar panels, batteries, medical devices, more. Yet An estimated $61 billion in precious metals is landfilled annually. These materials are essential for processing in computers, phones, medical devices, solar panels, and wind turbines. 30-50% of virgin silver and gold production go toward jewelry, in a time when there is increasing demand for these critical technology.  Its also getting harder and harder to find these finite materials in nature. The Solution: Precious metals are infinitely recyclable without any loss of quality, offering a viable path to a more stable and sustainable supply chain. Redyoos connects the end of life of jewelry into renewed inputs for critical green technology through recycling. This conversation dives into our pursuit for real impact, finding the blue ocean opportunities in combining unlikely industries,  and the power of cross industry partnership. People don’t usually put jewelry and green technology in the same conversation but Cleo proves their link and finds solutions for one with the waste of another.RedyoosVideo Interview 

In todays episode we speak with Anna Hammond, the founder of Matriarch Foods. A company that upcycles farm surplus and fresh-cut remnants into delicious, healthy products for food service, retail, and emergency food.We learn her story working in the arts to engaging local farmers in the New York City region, which lead to her discovering how we can extend the full value of our crops in our current food system. We discuss the skills she brings to the table, the scale of the problem of current agriculture industry and how she is expanding her business to fight food waste, bring healthy food to those in need, and changing the way people think of up cycling food. Tackling food waste is a critical channel to address the climate crisis and so the work of companies like Matriarch Foods and others are essential to immediately address our changing climate. Matriark FoodsFull Video

In this episode of Re.Vert Ventures, we sit down with Dan Kurzrock, founder of Upcycled Foods (formerly ReGrained), a pioneer turning the food upcycling movement into a thriving business.Based in the Bay Area, Dan shares how a college beer-brewing hobby turned into a mission to give “spent grain” a second life. From dorm room experiments to scaling a purpose-driven company, his story is one of persistence, creativity, and reimagining what we call waste.We explore his path through creative financing, evolving business models, and the broader impact of upcycling — from reducing food loss to creating value for businesses and communities alike.It’s a powerful case study in innovation, sustainability, and finding win-win solutions at the intersection of waste and worth.Check out Upcycled Foods here: https://upcycledfoods.com/Youtube version here: https://youtu.be/j0veWhLoNXc

In this episode of Re.Vert Ventures we speak with John Metcalf, founder of Upgraded, the leading tech subscription service in the US focusing on MacBooks.  Based in Austin, we hear John’s story from childhood to being self employed to full time founder and everything in between. Culminating to John creating a platform enabling the a new model for device ownership and creating a scalable take back program for one of the leading consumer electronic brands in the world, furthering the circular economy in the tech space. We learn about his journey from the US to Asia, to Europe, the lessons learned from starting businesses in each of these distinct cultures. We get transparent about his business model, the unit economics that allow Upgraded to work, and the environmental impact that leasing unlocks. This is a great case study for thinking differently about distribution, ownership, and impact.Upgraded: https://getupgraded.com/Video Interview: https://youtu.be/6Y574LYMqV8

In this episode of Re.Vert Ventures, we speak with Ken Elliott, founder of IND Hemp, the leading source of industrial hemp food, feed and fiber ingredients in the country.Based in Montana, we hear ken’s story of going from the environmental services sector to discovering the restorative properties of growing hemp. From there he decides to go full in on this magic crop and grow his industrial hemp business to becoming one of the largest in the country. We hear about his mission and god lead journey, the  goodness of hemp, and its impact on the environment and the communities surrounding it. The challenges of working in the hemp industry and his advice for anyone entering this burgeoning industry. Re.Vert Ventures is an interview focused podcast and media platform looking at the climate crisis through the lease of entrepreneurship, and digging into the jouneys of those founders making a real difference. All Interviews and stories can be found here. IND HempRe.Vert Ventures Instagram Re.Vert Ventures TikTok

Welcome to Re.Vert Ventures Season 3 (formerly Growing Green Ventures). We’ve made a few aesthetic updates, but the heart of the show remains the same: exploring the climate crisis through the lens of entrepreneurship and digging into the journeys of founders making a real impact.This season, we’re focusing on the circular economy — reimagining waste as a valuable input, and exploring bio-based and regenerative materials across fashion, food, consumer tech, and beyond.Today I’m joined by Alan Mak, founder of Version Tomorrow, a production platform helping brands and creators produce high-quality, environmentally responsible apparel through innovative recycled and organic cotton fabrics. Alan is also the managing partner of the fashion label Public School NYC.In this episode, we trace his path from finance, to working with his family in the fashion industry, to building women’s contemporary brands, joining Public School, and ultimately launching Version Tomorrow. His story is full of insights for anyone looking to pivot, grow, and expand their career or business with purpose.Version Tomorrow: https://versiontomorrow.com/VT IG:https://www.instagram.com/versiontomorrow/?hl=enRe.Vert Ventures: https://www.instagram.com/revertventures/Youtube:

In this final episode of the podcast, we speak with Liz Ricketts, Co-founder of The OR foundation to shed light on the last stage of life of our garments.  We dive deep into their work, and the economic systems that allow this whole mess to happen in the first place. The OR Foundation is a non profit operating out of the US and Ghana focused on addressing textile waste and supporting the local community of Kantamanto market in Accra, Ghana, the worlds largest secondhand clothing markets. Their work sits at the intersection of environmental justice, education and fashion. With the decline in quality and increase in overall production, the amount of garments with limited value and unsellable has ballooned, putting the onus to dispose of the remaining textile waste on the global south, where the problem did not originate and where proper waste management infrastructure doesn’t exist. This has created tremendous environmental and social problems for many communities in the global south.  The OR foundation work includes immediate relief through direct action on human rights and environmental abuses, educational programming and awareness and research and institutional advocacy to steer systems level policies and investment.  In this episode we speak about: Fashion brand’s role in over production, and the real end of life of our garmentsWaste Colonialism Local circular ecosystem found at Kantamanto Market Check out their work here: theor.org The OR foundation is behind the ‘Speak Volumes’ campaign urging fashion brands to be held accountable for their over production, by leveraging extended producer responsibility programs to create a justice-led circular textile economy: stopwastecolonialism.orgYoutube: https://youtu.be/UkaoVe_fPzM

In this episode, we focus on what happens to our clothes post consumption.  We speak with Alex Husted the co-founder of Helpsy. Helpsy is  on a mission to keep clothing out of trash by enabling the collection, sorting and responsible distribution of secondhand clothing and shoes. They provide pick up, sorting, and distribution services across America. Once collected and sorted Helpsy sells off their second hand clothes to thrift stores and distributors around the nation, making sure that the garments have a new life through resale or go to the correct recycling initiative. In 2023 alone Helpsy collected over 31 Million pounds of clothes and shoes. That’s 100  items of clothing every minute. Helpsy is a certified B-Corp whose for-profit, social enterprise model has saved the municipalities they work with over $1.3 million in waste disposal tipping fees.We discuss:The financial impact on municipalities of post consumer textile waste The economic opportunities in handling post consumer products The web of players handling your clothes post donation Check out their work with municipalties, thrift stores and their impact on their community: https://www.helpsy.com/Youtube: https://youtu.be/f_CF0hpVGh0

In the 6th segment of this series, we take a look a company is helping extend the use phase of our garments post purchase. I speak with Rachel Sterling, the co-founder of Alternew. Alternew offers bespoke tailoring and repair services for brands by connecting them and their users to local tailoring shops. This allows customers to tailor their clothes upon purchase to ensure perfect fit easily. In this episode we discuss: The business case of extending a garments life to reduce its overall environmental impact Identifying opportunities in underserved segments of the supply chain Support a declining trade and educating consumers around repair Poor fitting clothes are at top of the list for why clothes get returned (~70% of returns cite sizing was the cause of the return), many times never returning to the shelves for resale. By tailoring a garment, the fit is improved, meaning the user will wear and cherish that item for longer, extending its life and therefore reducing the need for further purchases, returns, or clothes sent to donation centers. Fun fact: wearing your clothes for an extra 9 months, reduces its carbon footprint by 20%. Check out their work here: https://www.alternew.com 

In the 5th segment of the season, we speak to the founder of Beacon's Closet Carrie Peterson. Beacon’s Closet is a secondhand shop based in #NYC operating 4 locations where consumers can buy, sell and trade their clothes. Beacon’s has been around for almost 30 years in business and whose model inherently provides sustainable options for consumers by promoting the consumption of second hand items, and extending the life of garments in circulation. In this episode, we discuss:-Importance of consumer choice -Environmental impact of buying secondhand-Quality of material and construction of garmentsSome key facts: -Secondhand clothing sales are set to double by 2027-An anticipated 10% of global fashion sales are set to be within the secondhand segment Secondhand is expected to grow 3x faster than traditional retail Seeing the numbers behind secondhand’s growth, big brands are taking note, and including a resale program into their main distribution channels. Companies like Patagonia, Carhartt, Diesel, and more are integrating this channel to capture the growing demand of secondhand thanks to platforms like Archive and Trove.  Beacon's Closet: https://beaconscloset.com/Youtube: https://youtu.be/jkbzqoSCW8Y

In the 4th segment of this season we focus on addressing the textile waste created in the design and manufacturing of our garments. We speak with Jessica Schreiber, the founder of Fabscrap, an organization diverting textile waste from landfills and creating a system for reuse and recycling. Fabscrap focuses on responsibly managing the waste found between the stages of a garment's design and production.In this conversation, we speak about:Forgotten waste components of garment design Fashions burden on municipalities waste infrastructureBenefits of addressing a sustainability issue as a non-profit vs. a for profit organization Not so fun fact: textiles are the fastest-growing waste stream in many municipalities across the nationFinding ways to extend our garments' life, and divert waste away from landfills and prolonging their useful life are cornerstones to sustainable business models addressing fashion’s negative environmental impact. Fabscrap bridges the gap between the brand’s operations, creating textile waste (think samples, swatches, etc.) and complying with increased regulatory and consumer pressure to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions. YouTube:Fabscrap: https://fabscrap.org/

In the third segment of the season, we focus on brands, and their role driving this value chain. We speak with Carmen Gama, the Director of Circular Design for Eileen Fisher and the co-founder of Make ANEEW, a one stop shop for circular fashion that recovers value at scale from post consumer clothing. In this conversation we speak about: Effective takeback programs at scale Remanufacturing and creating new clothing from clothing wasteA brands’ role in enabling smart consumer choices, and redirecting responsible supply chainsOnly 1% of clothes are ever recycled back into new clothes according to the Ellen Macarthur Foundation. The amount of textile waste has doubled in just under 2 decades in the US alone according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Brands play an outsized role in this supply chain, as they manufacture demand from consumers, and set the pace for the production of garments in the upstream supply chain. We now hear from a brand’s perspective on their role, how to design and market in a responsible way while taking responsibility for their product's end of life by enabling the largest single brand take back program in the country! Youtube: https://youtu.be/A6Ao85KgCgMEileen Fisher: https://www.eileenfisher.comMake ANEEW: https://www.makeaneew.com

In the second episode of this season, we get to speak with Dan Robichaud-Carew,  the Head of software and product management at Unspun, an innovative fashion tech company creating 3D weaved garments through their proprietary Vega manufacturing system. In this conversation we speak all things:the stagnant manufacturing industrywhat makes the fashion industry so different to other sectorsopportunities to innovate within the industry The manufacturing segment of the supply chain is fragmented, and results in huge environmental and social problems. 20% of the worlds waste water is derived from textiles manufacturing, and produces large amounts of material waste from the cutting process found in traditional manufacturing. Unspun reduces textile waste, by enabling brands to create custom products on demand, limited overproduction and unused inventory. All while ensuring the garments end of life is accounted for. Unspun is exciting also because of the opportunity for onshoring manufacturing, reducing the need for long transportation times.  offering opportunity for onshoring and near manufacturing With so much waste coming from the manufacturing segment, Unspun’s technology is a sign of life for an industry stuck in the past. Check out their work here: https://www.unspun.ioYoutube: https://youtu.be/moG-s7XdysI

In the first episode of GGV, we speak with Valentina Gomez, the co-founder of Werewool, a biomaterials company that develops fibers with tailored aesthetic and performance properties, derived form natural proteins found in nature.We talk all things:Start up life (funding, idea incubation, perseverance)Material innovation (biomimicry, organic performance features, protein derived variations, designing for end of life)  Addressing fashion industries reliance on fabric blends, synhtetics and water intensive cropsThis company is on the front lines of new age fiber and textile development, reducing the industries impact by eliminating the ecotoxicity of dyes, reducing the raw material impact of fiber production, and the end of life implications of synthetic fibers. With the bulk of the worlds performance wear coming from synthetic fibers, and the increased demand for cheaper materials, finding solutions for textile’s performance needs is business critical for so many companies. Finding ways to create those performance features without the need for fossil fueled derived products is crucial to moving this industry toward a circular future. Check out there work here: https://www.werewool.bio/Youtube: https://youtu.be/_w-_uJ_xLEA

Too often we look at sustainability and issues of our climate in isolation. Achieving Sustainability in reality requires addressing our issues in a systemic approach, understanding how our actions impact those before and after us,  to ensure we are not passing down more problems and responsibility down the line. While each industry has its own unique factors, most supply chain's are fragmented, only enhanced through globalization, resulting in the most impactful stages operating in places with little environmental oversight and regulation.  Each segment has its own negative impact, both environmentally and socially, that makes this industry one of the most polluting and wasteful ones out there. Key facts about the fashion industry:Approx.100 billion garments are manufactured each year, and 92% wil end up in a landfill within 12-18 months 4-10% of global GHG stems from the fashion industry Only 1% of clothes actually get recycled into new clothes...In this season of the Growing Green Ventures podcast, we follow the life of a garment from inception to the end, and shed light on companies really making an Impactful difference in their segment. We take a look at the entire value chain, from its base inputs, to manufacturing, point of sale, all the way to its true end of life. We highlight entrepreneurs and professionals who are pioneering innovative ways to tackle their segment's problems. Youtube: https://youtu.be/R7mO7Esqlco

Season 1 Recap episode! Today I go through the main lessons learned throughout season 1. I am fortunate to be able to interview 9 incredible entrepreneurs across different sectors from biomaterials, museums, footwear, sustainable fashion, agroforestry, packaging and more. Each have their own journey and story to tell but there are some underlying commonalities in each. Some key findings include: Business: 'Sustainable' businesses create opportunities for impact outside of just positive environmental outcomes - simple innovations and rethinking our existing systems create ample business opportunities! Personal Development: Self belief and courage underpin the journey one goes on when starting out for themselves and creating something new! Problems will inevitably come that challenge this self belief but one must stay committed while being flexible in their approach. Sustainability: Addressing core environmental issues can only be solved by thinking in systems. When it comes to physical goods, rethinking waste, and material composition are great starting points but considering its end of life and place in the larger context is integral. Professional services and knowledge sharing will continue to be important as we educate our stakeholders on their own sustainability journey. We discussed their business case, their personal journey, and of course the environmental components that drive their organizations. You can watch the recap episode here. More to come as Growing Green Ventures is working on season 2 right now so stay tuned! -Youssef 

In today's final interview episode of season 1, I get to speak with Beto Bina,  the co-founder of Farfarm, an organization that works at the intersection of strategy, supply chain and impact. FarFarm supports brands creating sustainable products by sourcing materials in an agroforestry system, meaning sourcing natural materials in a way that promotes tree growth and native agriculture production all while supporting social development, primarily in his home country of Brazil. In other words: intentional integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits. Materials that Farfarm helped incorporate into their client's supply chains include agroecological cotton, wild rubber, leather from native pastures and other innovative projects.  Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture help protect soil, animals, crops, and homes from extreme weather, protect native pollinators (like bees!!) and improves water quality and produces economic well-being for local working off the land. All while promoting an ecological system that sequesters carbon from the atmosphere more healthily and sustainably than traditional farming and agricultural practices. We dive into the inception of Farfarm, his journey from corporate America to regenerative farming in Brazil, and the benefits of operating a services based business.  What is a better word than sustainability, and so much more.You can find out more about FarFarm here. Watch the full interview here. 

Matthew Hawthorne, is a thought leader in the circular textile space. He is the founder of TerrApparel, a circular outerwear brand, focused on closed loop apparel apparel brand.  Using 100% recycled fabrics, fluorocarbon free waterproofing and wicking finishes. Now Matthew is a footprinting and circularity expert at Quantis, an environmental consultancy specializing in the fashion sector. Matthew's work supports brands in assessing their environmental impact, planning and transformation their supply chains, business operations, and external communication to ensure operations are  within planetary boundaries. Matthew is the specialist in circularity within the fashion space, the process or reusing, returning or otherwise keeping materials or products in use for as long as possible. We dive into circular fashion, the role of sustainability consulting, the myth behind sustainable fashion - the difference between circularity and sustainability, the emotional journey to close down your company, integrating reuse and repair into an apparel and so much more. Check out his work with Quantis here You can watch the full interview here. 

Miranda Massie is the founder and director of the Climate Museum, the first museum in the US dedicated to the climate crisis. The museum mobilizes the power of arts and cultural programming to accelerate the crucial shift toward climate dialogue and action, connecting people and advancing just solutions.  The museum shines a light and uplifts the voices of the ‘silent majority’ or 2/3rds of Americans  (a clear bipartisan American supermajority) that supports bold climate policy.  Yet due to current and past cultural conversations around climate change, many feel we are in the minority, that most Americans are indifferent to the climate crisis, which only yields a culture of silence and passivity on this pressing issue. Educating visitors and participants on the climate crisis, the environmental overlap with social injustices, and highlighting artists and activist work across the country and globe are key to the climate museum mission.In this conversation, we speak with Miranda on her journey from growing a career in law as a social justice lawyer, to transitioning into creating a non-profit museum, and the light bulb moment she had when coming up with the idea and so much more!  Check out the museum's programs here.Watch the entire video here. Enjoy! 

James McGoff, the founder and Chief Product Officer at TemperPack, an innovative sustainable materials company focused on eliminating plastic from the supply chain, through sustainable packaging options. Their main products are focused on creating protective and insulative packaging for food and life science industries.TemperPack serves as a great story of ingenuity, grit, and timing that creates great opportunities for an entrepreneur. Combining a genuine interest in materials, and the ability to see the needs of growing industries like at-home food delivery services,  and biological medicine, James saw a missing opportunity and was able to capitalize on the growing needs of these spaces. TemperPack is now a leader in the sustainable packaging space. TemperPack is an amazing example of how market forces can bring about sustainable solutions that are great for all stakeholders and the planet. In this talk, we discuss James' entrepreneurial journey, his jump straight into the creation of insulative materials and his initial products, how he addressed the needs of growing industries, how fatherhood impacted his business, and so much more! You can check out the amazing products Temperpack makes here.You can watch the full interview here. Enjoy! 

I get to speak with Samuel Falzone, a footwear designer and creative, making beautiful products focused on reconstructing deadstock sneakers into new one-of-a-kind pieces. In his latest project 'Reconstructed by Samuel Falzone' Samuel emphasizes repairability in each of his pieces through his goodyear welted soles. Beautiful, rare products, with handmade finishes, that are meant to be repaired, are a new level of luxury that is rarely seen in our consumerist society today. Samuel is an up-and-coming designer in the New Jersey and New York City area. In our current linear model, most shoes are made, using synthetic and fossil fuel-based materials, worn briefly, and then disposed of in landfills, left to emit damaging GHGs into our atmosphere (and all the GHGs' and pollution emitted along their supply chain). Buying secondhand shoes, and repairing them, extends their lifespan, and reduces the need for new shoes to be produced, effectively lowering your footwear's carbon footprint. ..and why not do that wearing shoes that show your personality, and style! In this episode, we talk about the creative's journey, sneaker culture, the footwear industry as a whole, manufacturing techniques, repair and reuse, and how brands integrate sustainability into their storytelling.  Sam’s journey as an entrepreneur and the ups and downs of being an up-and-coming designer!You can watch the full interview here. Check out Sam's work here & his instagram here. 

David Cutler is the founder of Fortuna Cools and Nutshell Coolers, a company up cycling coconut husks into insulative packaging. His business employs and manufactures in the Philippines where this unique business opportunity started. Fortuna Cools capitalizes on an agricultural byproduct's natural characteristics of insulation and turns it into a product that directly replaces traditional styrofoam packaging for cold supply chains (think fish markets, etc.). It's rare to find a company whose model directly improves the lives of all those within their supply chain, from the raw material suppliers, manufactures, and customers. All while creating a scalable model that can be replicated throughout the world, reducing plastic waste from packaging and up cycling agricultural byproduct into a profitable and high performance product. This is a sustainable business model in all senses of the word! We speak about David’s journey from working in policy,  going to graduate school, to launching his business. How interconnected we all are in this global economy, and the ups and downs of starting a business that spans multiple countries from the get go. You can find out more about Fortuna Cools here, and their consumer goods company Nutshell Coolers here. Watch the full recording here.Enjoy! 

Joshua English is a man of many talents. An artist and a designer, with decades of industry experience. His curiosity lead him to discovery a simple combination of organic materials that combined together turn into an extremely durable new material. In today's episode we go over Joshua's story from his 'perfect' corporate job to getting laid off and starting Structural Mycelium. How an accidental discovery jump started Structural Mycelium, the journey to entrepreneurship, the wonders of mycelium and mushroom, regenerative business models, and how materials selection and cultivation play an increasing factor in combatting climate change. Structural Mycelium has produced the first load bearing mycelium based material. This material can be used as a replacement for traditional materials in building industry such as wood or cement. This poses a huge opportunity to create a bio based material. You can find more about Structural Mycelium here. More work of OKOM Works Lab can be found here. You can find the full video interview on YouTube here.

Jordana is a force to be reckoned with. She is an author,  PR executive, and entrepreneur, mother and wife! Her desire to merge the world of pr, tech innovation and fashion brought up about her latest venture: Fashinnovation! Fashinnovation is an organizing connecting voices within the fashion industry on innovation, sustainability, and DEI. Leveraging digital technology, and in person events, Fashinnovation creates spaces where the fashion community gathers to learn, and share new ideas that move the industry forward. Jordana is also the author of It Can Be You: Humanizing Homelessness, a book encouraging compassion and empathy for the homeless. It Can Be You takes a transparent look into the lives of fashion influencers and homeless individuals who, when placed side by side, turn out to have many common struggles. You can pick up a copy here. You can find more about Fashinnovation here.Today we speak about Jordana’s journey from Brazil to skipping college and going right into Entrepreneurship, her many ups and downs of starting previous businesses, and how she landed on merging her experience in PR and events with addressing the fashion industry. What doing good means for her, and what she sees as the exciting models for sustainable fashion moving forward. You can watch the entire interview here. 

Katie Weiler is on a mission to change the aquaculture industry for the better. She is the founder of Viable Gear, a company that seeks to reduce petroleum-based plastics in our ocean by using seaweed to make a plastic replacement for gear used in the fishing and aquaculture industries. In today's conversation we speak about Katie’s journey, from consulting, how her idea came to be, and working on the project simultaneously with her work in corporate America, to actually taking the leap and working on this full time. The beauty of seaweed and algae, and what makes Maine such an incredible place to start this kind of business, and so much more.Viable Gear's premise is that by leveraging a biodegradable and renewable material to make gear, there will be a reduction in plastic waste (resulting from that gear being used) of both micro and macro plastics into the oceans and our waterways.  You can find more about Viable Gear here. You can watch the full interview here.  

Welcome to the Growing Green Ventures Podcast. In this 10-part series, we dive into the entrepreneur's journey, seeking to understand their personal experiences that aren't always so clear when looking from the outside. Through out this series, we speak with designers, business men, engineers, lawyers, and many more who are using their authentic skills and interests to build a business that addresses the climate crisis in their own right. This is one part business, one part personal development, and one part sustainability. Thank you for listing and enjoy!