Products of Change: From Intent to Impact

In this special episode, founder and ceo Helena Mansell-Stopher is joined by Rick Ridgeway and Jay Gaines. Rick Ridgeway is an outdoor adventurer, writer and advocate for sustainability and conservation initiatives.For 15 years, Rick was the VP of Environmental Affairs and then VP of Public Engagement at Patagonia, Inc. During his tenure he has worked with teams to develop and launch environmental and sustainability initiatives including Freedom to Roam, the Footprint Chronicles, the Responsible Economy Campaign and Worn Wear. He is co-founder of Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition), today the largest apparel, footwear and home textile trade organization in the world that is also developer of the Higg Index suite of tools for sustainability measurement and management.In addition, Rick is recognized as one of the world’s foremost mountaineers. With three companions, he was the first American to summit K2, and he has done other significant climbs and explorations on all continents. He has written seven books, many magazine stories and produced and directed dozens of television shows. His memoir Life Lived Wild will be released in October 2021. National Geographic honored him with its “Lifetime Achievement in Adventure” award.Rick serves on six boards of conservation organizations, including the Tompkins Conservation, the Turtle Conservancy, One Earth and the Kiewit Family Foundation.Jay Gaines is Chief Marketing Officer at Worldly, a Products of Change partner. In this episode, the conversation delves into the transformation of the brand licensing retail industry towards sustainability, highlighting the importance of purpose, passion, and mentorship in driving this change. It explores the journey of purpose, the role of inspiration and mentorship, the evolution of business and sustainability, and the birth of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition as pivotal themes. The conversation delves into the collaborative efforts and impactful expansion of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, highlighting the challenges, foundational principles, and the vision for the future. Exploring the journey of building a business case, articulating the connection between business and a healthy planet, and the existential moments faced during the expansion. The focus on impact and adjacency, along with the future vision of standardization, sets the stage for a transformative journey within the industry.TakeawaysSustainability as a Business ImperativePurpose and Passion in Business Collaborative EffortsImpactful ExpansionChapters00:00 The Journey of Purpose11:21 The Evolution of Business and Sustainability35:28 The Birth of Sustainable Apparel Coalition45:41 Expansion into Other Categories01:01:59 Future Vision and Standardization

In this episode of Intent to Impact, Products of Change's CEO Helena Mansell-Stopher chats with Andrew Xeni, foudner of Fabacus, Nobody's Childand Soreto. The conversation explores the sustainability transformation in the industry, Andrew's journey from fashion to tech, the success of Nobody's Child in ethical fashion, and the development of digital product passports by Fabacus. It delves into the challenges, partnerships, and impact of these initiatives, highlighting the journey of growth and innovation within the industry. The conversation delves into the challenges faced in the early days, the pioneering efforts in ethical and sustainable branding, the remarkable impact and achievements of the team, brand growth and customer loyalty, the commercial value of ethical and sustainable branding, the role of technology in industry transformation, the future of digital product passports, and industry mobilization and brand recognition. The discussion highlights the importance of data collection, team effort, consumer advocacy, and the commercial benefits of digital product passports. It also emphasizes the role of DPPs in legislation, industry transformation, and ecosystem building, as well as the future vision for the industry.Core topics:Sustainability as a central business focusThe journey of growth and innovation within the industry The commercial value of ethical and sustainable branding is significantDigital Product Passports (DPPs) have commercial benefits and drive consumer engagementThe future of the industry involves mobilization and brand recognitionChapters00:00 The Sustainability Transformation10:30 Nobody's Child: Ethical Fashion Success16:55 Fabacus and Digital Product Passports24:25 The Heavy Lifting of Execution30:15 Commercial Value of Ethical and Sustainable Branding35:29 The Role of Technology in Industry Transformation48:15 Industry Mobilization and Brand RecognitionAndrew XeniAndrew Xeni is a visionary technology and retail entrepreneur; founder of award-winning businesses that are reshaping their industries. After building a successful family manufacturing business supplying the UK high street, Xeni went on to establish responsible fashion brand, Nobody’s Child, named 2023, 2024 & 2025 Drapers Retailer of the Year (<£100m), as well as building technology ventures; Fabacus, where he serves as CEO, and Soreto, where he acts as Chairman. Operating globally, his businesses are servicing some of the world’s largest organisations in licensing and retail, including Tesco, NBCUniversal and Samsung. Xeni also welcomed Marks & Spencer as a strategic investor and minority shareholder in Nobody’s Child.Passionate about shaping the future of sustainable retail, in 2023, Fabacus and Nobody’s Child collaborated to launch a Digital Product Passport solution driven by compliant product catalogues, in preparation for incoming legislation around the world, set to redefine and evolve the retail landscape. Xeni is backed by a number of leading financial institutions and prominent individuals and in addition to managing a diverse portfolio of businesses, he is an active angel investor and mentor.