Spirit of 608: Fashion, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability + Tech

In today's episode of ‘Spirit of 608' podcast host, Lorraine Sanders talks with guest Joie LaFrentz telling us what she has been up to and sharing the real deal behind how she has been building Jola.

Welcome! Come along with me on my journey into the metaverse and what's next. Kicking off the first season of the Making it in the Metaverse, here's How to Start Making it in the Metaverse without Spending Anything At All.  Consider this your toe-dip into the landscape from a journalist-turned-ethical-fashion-advocate who got crypto curious in '18 but didn't fall all the way down the rabbit hole until mid-2021.  Let me make your journey easier, more fun, less scary. Special bonus: Couples & Crypto.  None of this is financial advice y'all.  Just a girl with a complicated life in a complicated world aiming to make it on the path to what's next.  Connect with me here: Twitter: @lorrainesanders Instagram: @spiritof608 Web: lorrainesanders.com  Web: spiritof608.com

Welcome! Come along with me on my journey into the metaverse and what's next. Kicking off the first season of the Making it in the Metaverse, here are 6 Ways Regular Folks Can Start Making it in the Metaverse. Consider this your toe-dip into the landscape from a journalist-turned-ethical-fashion-advocate who got crypto curious in '18 but didn't fall all the way down the rabbit hole until mid-2021.  Let me make your journey easier, more fun, less scary. Special bonus: Couples & Crypto.  None of this is financial advice y'all.  Just a girl with a complicated life in a complicated world aiming to make it on the path to what's next.  Connect with me here: Twitter: @lorrainesanders Instagram: @spiritof608 Web: lorrainesanders.com  Web: spiritof608.com

Welcome! Come along with me on my journey into the metaverse and what's next. Kicking off the first season of the Making it in the Metaverse, here are 5 Things I Want You to Know About Crypto Culture.  Consider this your toe-dip into the landscape from a journalist-turned-ethical-fashion-advocate who got crypto curious in '18 but didn't fall all the way down the rabbit hole until mid-2021.  Let me make your journey easier, more fun, less scary. None of this is financial advice y'all.  Just a girl with a complicated life in a complicated world aiming to make it on the path to what's next.  Connect with me here: Twitter: @lorrainesanders Instagram: @spiritof608 Web: lorrainesanders.com  Web: spiritof608.com  

Oh hey we have a brand new series coming out this spring (and beyond). A head's up on what's happening is waiting for you in today's episode. More to come so soon. The TLDR: come with me on my journey into web3, blockchain, crypto and all things metaverse-y. There's so much happening. Let's figure it out together.  

Mentioned in the show: Thanks to our episode sponsor Magic Mind! Boost your productivity and get 20% off your next order with code SPIRIT at checkout. Ethical Fashion Insiders' Response and Proposed Amendments New York State Senate Bill S.7428 Why A Beloved Ethical Fashion Startup Closed Up Shop To Embrace An Entirely Different Future in FEST with Helpsy's Rachel Kibbe The Mavericks Repairing & Revamping Patagonia, Prana & Other Ethical Apparel Brands with Nicole Bassett of The Renewal Workshop Fashion Advocates Believe ‘Fashion Act' Lacks Key Elements

In this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast, we dive into web3 and why ethical fashion should be paying attention to the possibilities in this rapidly unfolding space. If you've wondered how web3 technology and everything under that umbrella (cryptocurrency, blockchain technology and the Metaverse for a start) could be relevant, useful and game-changing for fashion brand and entrepreneurs seeking to create positive change in the space. You'll hear how web3 is not to be ignored — and how you can get started in this new reality. Mentioned in the show: Thanks to our episode sponsor Magic Mind! Boost your productivity and get 20% off your next order with code SPIRIT at checkout. Making it in the Metaverse podcast — COMING SOON Near Foundation Near Marketing DAO The Sandbox Game Decentraland NFTs For Newbies Podcast OpenSea Rarible

Our lives are not lived in linear paths. The zigs and the zags are often what allows the most magical, unexpected and impactful moments to bubble up and become a reality. Such is the case with this week's guest, Danielle Salinas, co-founder of popular sustainable fashion brand Maison de Papillon and, most recently, New York-based retail store and — as you'll hear — a whole lot more: Project Gaia. Starting out in advertising and moving on to build a thriving dental practice with her then-husband, Danielle eventually followed her instincts toward her true calling and landed at Parson's School of Design. That's where she met co-founder Shriya Mistra. The two launched Maison de Papillon in 2013 and have become known for elevated, luxurious basics that fit in just as well during a day of meetings as they might lazing around with an afternoon tea. During the pandemic, Project Gaia became the co-founders' somewhat unlikely bet on the power of retail during an unprecedented time. More than just a store, the Manhattan space is evolving into an incubator and accelerator for the next generation of sustainable and ethical brands. Listen in for Danielle's story, get inspired by how she lives her life and runs her businesses on her own terms and learn why taking the unexpected route to open a retail space at a time when so many businesses were closing was ultimately the right move. Learn more below: Meet Danielle: Danielle Salinas is the Co-Founder and Co-Designer of Maison de Papillon, a luxury ready-to-wear clothing brand for women. Maison de Papillon's collection of elevated essentials is designed for the modern woman who desires chicness without sacrificing ease and versatility. Raised in South Texas, Danielle's career path was certainly unconventional. Her strong entrepreneurial spirit motivated her from a young, single mother of humble beginnings and served as the catalyst for her first career step into the world of advertising. As she launched herself into this industry, she found her passion for business in working with entrepreneurs. Soon, she gained the confidence that allowed her to build a successful dental practice with her then-husband. As a woman on-the-go who craves simplicity and ease, Danielle noticed a void in the loungewear, ready-to-wear segment of the fashion industry. Ambitiously, she applied to Parson School of Design where Danielle met her now business partner Shriya Misra. Sharing a passion for luxury and versatility, these two women created Maison De Papillon. Today, you can find Maison de Papillon in over 200 of the best hotels and luxury boutiques in the world. You can learn more about Danielle and her company at www.maisondepapillon.com.

Ethical and sustainable fashion has become a conversation with global reach and proportions with entrepreneurs around the world building businesses seeking to create positive social impact through carefully-made clothing. One such founder is this week's guest, Shahd AlShehail, whose Abadia clothing brand delivers sweeping, feminine silhouettes inspired by the traditional artisan craftsmanship of the Saudi Arabian peninsula and made in partnership with female makers across Saudi and the UAE. Listen to her story for her journey from the business world to social and environmental justice and how those two areas ultimately led her to fashion. More below: Meet Shahd: Shahd AlShehail is an award-winning social entrepreneur focusing on areas of sustainability, women's economic development, and cultural preservation. After completing her MBA at Johns Hopkins University in 2012, she went on to secure a fellowship with Acumen which exposed her to the power of entrepreneurship in addressing social and environmental issues. In 2013, Shahd co-founded Project JUST, a fashion-tech start-up focused on creating transparency and accountability in fashion supply chains. Continuing on with this theme, Shahd co-founded Abadia, an ethical luxury brand dedicated to preserving the craftsmanship of her region through timeless contemporary products. Abadia works with female artisans across Saudi and the UAE to celebrate their heritage and provide them with a sustainable source of income. You can learn more about Shahd and her company at www.abadia.me.

Need inspiration for your evolution as an entrepreneur? Well that's coming to your ears in this week's episode, which features a conversation with Arkansas-based designer and maker Alyssa Bird. Well-known in the indie design scene that's bubbled up online in recent years, Alyssa has garnered fans with her brightly-colored, upbeat accessories and jewelry — not to mention her fun, authentic personality that comes through in her regular Instagram videos and social media. When you're entrenched in one business, it can be easy to stay there even when you foresee challenges to growth and scale. Earlier this year, facing some of those challenges, Alyssa made the bold move to launch a new business that carries her commitment to upcycling and making forward in a form that has the potential to reach many more people through ingeniously cute wall art kits that pair deadstock fabric with wood cut frames anyone at any age can use to craft their own eco-friendly art. Listen in for her story and how she's building a new company that continues her path in a whole new way. More below:   Meet Alyssa: Pictokits founder Alyssa Bird spent 3 years in the Los Angeles fashion industry and saw a desperate need to reduce the waste from clothing production. Her innovation, mission for upcycling, and love for learning reached a turning point when she developed a new mixed-media art concept by merging the rescued textiles with laser cut wood. Picto Kits is an elevated hands-on experience of art and education that requires no previous training and delivers a playful adventure inspiring individuals of any age. You can learn more about Alyssa and her company at www.pictokits.com.  

Curious how to use community and events to generate buzz and reach new audiences for your sustainable fashion brand? On this week's show, I am excited to bring you Costa Rica and L.A.-based designer Diana Ganem for a conversation that's one-part story and one-part live media strategy coaching. Like many professional designers who've worked in the fashion industry for years, Diana left the corporate world to launch Nightswim, a company that aligns with her values and devotion to sustainable and ethical practices. Now that she's established her brand and built a foundation for her breezy leisurewear, this sustainable fashion designer is ready to take her business to the next level. Already successful with using events and community to grow, she's wondering how to balance time and budget to better connect to members of the media so she can reach new audiences. Listen in for her story and what I advise her to do with her brand right now in order to build stronger relationships with the media that will last. More below:   Meet Diana: Diana Ganem's early life saw her moving from Mexico, to the American Southwest, and ultimately to Los Angeles, where, discovering her life's passion, she attended the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). After over a decade in various roles in the fashion industry, she decided to become her own boss, and began work on developing a socially responsible fashion brand that aligned with her values in sustainability and ethical practice. Now based in both Los Angeles and Costa Rica, Nightswim, launched in 2018, is a conscious leisurewear brand rooted in respecting the planet and its people. The brand strives to empower consumers in making wiser shopping decisions, while at the same time providing high quality pieces that make women feel confident and comfortable. You can learn more about Diana and her company at www.nightswimbrand.com.

If there's one thing I truly believe about getting visible through DIY PR and earned media (i.e. media you didn't have to pay for, a.k.a. advertising), it's this: there's no one-size-fits-all solution. There just isn't. Yes, there are a ton of best practices and standard strategies, and they are great, but there are always questions that come up about people's individual businesses. That's, in fact, exactly why I created the PressDope DIY PR course program and set it up the way it is. The goal is to give entrepreneurs the training and materials they need to do their own media outreach, but also get an opportunity for individual feedback and guidance when they need it. On today's episode, we're diving into a question from one PressDope DIY PR Course program member, an ethical designer who is wondering how to use a new partnership as part of her marketing — but doing it in an authentic way that feels right for her and her brand. Listen in for my tips and advice on leveraging a non-profit partnership in your ethical fashion business's marketing.

Launching a magazine is not for the faint of heart. Sure, content is crucial for most businesses right now (especially those in the sustainable fashion arena). But consistently creating high-quality, thought-provoking, change-making content? It's a hugely intensive endeavor, one that this week's guest on the Spirit of 608 podcast knows well. During our conversation, ESJ magazine (a.k.a. Ethical Style Journal) founder Katie talks frankly about the complexities of building a media business in the sustainable and ethical fashion arena and how her approach has changed — and is poised to change again soon — and why. We talked about the media, the need for creatives to make money and questions that come up in sustainable fashion marketing and messaging today amid a backdrop of brands, influencers, thought leaders and activists who are all part of an increasingly important, but noisy landscape. But most of all, listen in for her story and advice for creating sustainable fashion conversations that matter while also building a brand that stays firmly rooted in authenticity and longevity. Meet Katie: Katie is the founder and editor-in-chief of ESJ Magazine. She has been working to make sure representation exists within the sustainable fashion space, and that real conversations that lead to accountability and action are happening in fashion. Over the past year and a half, her work with the magazine has expanded to create a bigger platform for Black women and femmes to show up and take up space in ethical and sustainable fashion. You can learn more about Katie and her company at www.ethicalstylejournal.com.

Sometimes you fall in love with vintage, and sometimes you fall so hard you start a business. The latter is the case for this week's guest, who launched a line of jewelry born out of her love for antique lockets and went on to grow the company into a mixed collection of modern fine jewelry pieces and unique antique jewelry from her network of sources. In this week's episode, we get the inside story of Suzanne's journey from the corporate world (she's an alum of J.Crew, RedEnvelope, Victoria's Secret and Bally) to launching her collection and growing it for more than a decade. Along the way, she's learned a lot — including how to get featured in major media from the Today Show to the New York Times. Listen in for her advice on the business of building a business and so much more. Featured in this episode: Suzanne Wernevi Linkedin: Suzanne Ellis Wernevi Meet Suzanne Wernevi: Suzanne Wernevi is the founder of Luna & Stella, a Providence-based jewelry business that blends their own contemporary heirlooms with one-of-a-kind antiques. Luna & Stella was born out of the 2008 recession. At the time, she was leading merchandising for a venture-backed e-commerce company that went bankrupt. Employees lost their livelihoods and health insurance overnight. The next day, it was her job to call the vendors, many of them small business owners, to tell them their invoices would not be paid. She saw firsthand the human impact of what can happen when a company prioritizes rapid growth over financial sustainability. And she knew there had to be a better way. Throughout her career in corporate fashion, she had worked with many product categories -- but jewelry resonated with her for its timeless quality and emotional significance. In 2009, she launched Luna & Stella in New York with the idea of creating fine jewelry symbolic of one's closet relationships – the treasured “moon and stars” in our lives. It gained early traction, but by 2011, she and her husband were looking for a more livable city. They saw the potential for a great quality of life in Providence -- a university town with great food, culture, diversity, affordable homes, and access to the outdoors. From a business perspective, she was drawn to Rhode Island's history as the jewelry capital of the world and hoped to manufacture lockets based on ones that were made there over a century ago. But she found that modern tooling and techniques could not replicate the craftsmanship of Rhode Island's past. Instead, she discovered that people were drawn to the history and one-of-a-kind nature of the antique pieces themselves. At the same time, she was becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of jewelry production -- and vintage jewelry, which does not further deplete natural resources, fit perfectly into a growing movement for sustainable fashion. You can learn more about Suzanne and her company at www.lunaandstella.com.

What happens when your product unexpectedly lands in the hands of a Hollywood costume pro who happens to be working on the sets of a film destined to become the next big thing. Ask this week's guest on the Spirit of 608 podcast, whose fashion business career spans decades and six different companies — some of which she ran at the same time. A multi-hyphenate creative and serial entrepreneur, Sarah Shaw lets us in on her journey from her early days in Los Angeles as an almost accidental handbag designer who went on to see her products in featured in major news outlets, in A-list films and in celebrity coverage of all kinds. Today a business coach who works with brands to help them reach new audiences and grow, Shaw is both inspiring and full of advice for entrepreneurs out there today navigating the fashion and accessories landscape. Featured in this episode: Sarah Shaw Instagram: @sarahshawconsulting Linkedin: Sarah Shaw Meet Sarah Shaw: Sarah is the Founder & CEO of Sarah Shaw Consulting, where she teaches product designers and fashion entrepreneurs how to launch, market and sell their products into boutiques, get media placements and gift celebrities. Sarah Shaw is a fashion entrepreneur, product designer and business coach. With her 20 years of experience - and 6 companies under her belt - Sarah has built a treasure trove of secrets for launching fashion lines, getting products into stores and boutiques, getting products to A-List celebrities, and getting massive publicity in order to grow her companies quickly. Sarah's products have been in over 1,200 stores and boutiques across the country, including Anthropologie, Nordstrom, Barney's, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue and Bloomingdales. She's also appeared in the pages of almost every major fashion and lifestyle magazine, including InStyle, People, US Weekly, Lucky, ELLE, WWD, Marie Claire and the O-List. She's been on TV shows like Access Hollywood, Extra and the E! network. Her handbags were in the movies Legally Blonde, America's Sweetheart and Ocean's 11. And she's been interviewed for Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, INC, and American Express' OPEN Forum. You can learn more about Sarah and her company at www.sarahshawconsulting.com

The future of secondhand fashion is unfolding in front of our eyes. For many of us who've thrifted for years and loved vintage and new-with-tags treasures long before they became big business, it's easy to wonder: what's next? How will the rise of billion dollar companies slinging secondhand style affect not just the mainstream fashion landscape, but the legions of local shops and sellers who see secondhand as so much more than the latest trend. To get some answers, our fabulous summer intern Evelyn hit the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, where we have numerous consignment, secondhand and thrift retailers who are go-to destinations for locals looking to buy, sell and donate clothes and accessories with a previous life. Listen in to this week's episode for an honest, real and open look at why three very different business women in the space do what they do and what they see ahead for the future of secondhand and its ties to our local communities. A big thanks to Evelyn for the field work and reporting for this special episode.

If you've ever stressed about live video — or any video content for that matter — you need to listen to today's episode with Alicia Henderson of Empirenista and the Video Visibility with Alicia Show. That's because she's bringing us her completely down-to-earth and no BS approach to video content and why it's time to get over your fears and hesitations and use this ultra-powerful way of communicating to reach new audiences and grow today. In her work with female entrepreneurs, Alicia helps women get comfortable using video in a way that highlights their expertise and grows their business. Oh and p.s. she is not about to let you drop the ball because “today's not a day I feel like doing my make-up.” Oh no, just wait for her five-minute face tip. It's gold! Listen in for Alicia's own journey to becoming a go-to expert for women in business who want to stand on video, as well as her tips and advice for showing up and feeling comfortable in videos so you can create the growth, impact and visibility you are here for.

No matter what kind of content you're creating for your business, I'm willing to bet one thing. There are times you're totally overwhelmed. And maybe those times are pretty much all of the time. And if that's the case, it's for good reason: given today's marketing landscape and the realities of what's required to get visible as you grow, almost every brand — whether you're a product-based DTC ecommerce business like the many I've interviewed on the Spirit of 608 podcast or the founder of a tech platform or a service brand seeking better reach through thought expertise and community building — creating enough content to satisfy the number of platforms and opportunities out there right now will turn you into a mini publishing empire or, worse, make you feel like you should be one even though you hardly have time or bandwidth to run your own business. Phew. That's a lot. It's a circumstance so many entrepreneurs face today, one that leaves them saddled with a completely unsustainable system, one that's sure to crumble or stall out over the long-term without an outsized investment of hours or hiring a number of team members to help (something that's often difficult in the early stages even for revenue-generating businesses and funded startups). But here's the good news: we're in the middle of a content shift. And it's one that has the potential to make content creation, publishing and promotion easier and more feasible for small and medium sized businesses. The wisdom, circa 2012-2015, used to be: create content tailored to each individual platform or you risk entirely turning off your audience. These days, the smartest marketers I know are masters at running content production like a supply chain and prioritizing repurposed content over everything. Yes, the inner English major and journalist in me cringes. But over time I have come to see that this approach doesn't really devalue content. Instead, it values and in fact significantly elevates the value of your message, mission and thoughts. Because of that, viewing content in this lens actually stands to increase and broaden your impact. With the clients I help and in my own business, I use a content framework and process to guide me so the content I'm creating is not only possible to generate with the resources I have, but also works for the business. I'm laying out this sustainable content publishing system on today's episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast. It's a four-part framework with a four-step content creation process focused on repurposing woven into its core. Want the rest? You can use this episode as a step-by-step guide to creating a sustainable content publishing system fueled by repurposed content so you can get out of your own way and start reaching more of the minds and hearts of people who will love what you do and be thrilled they've discovered you.

Designer, neuroscientist and community leader Sharmon Lebby is back with us on the Spirit of 608 podcast for a second episode updating us on how her journey building a an ethical fashion brand as a side-gig ultimately led her to become an activist and community leader pushing creating connections among ethical businesses and pushing for change in her native San Antonio and well beyond. As president of the Ethical Network of San Antonio, Sharmon is dialed into the social and economic issues impacting owners of ethical small businesses in her region and is committed to bringing conversations about the intertwined nature of fashion, politics, social justice and environmentalism through the new Unpacking Ethical podcast she hosts alongside Ethical Style Journal's founder and editor, Katie. Listen to the episode for a dive into her choice to simplify her side gig so she could get more out of life and make a bigger impact in the wider ethical fashion realm. Once again, in so many ways, less is more.

When was the last time you sent a pitch email to the media? With even a small amount of outreach, you can significantly increase your visibility through more outreach to journalists, bloggers and content creators. Oh yes, anyone can leverage media coverage and positive PR to elevate their business, build credibility, boost search engine rankings and reach new audiences with your message, products and services. The thing is, so often people let the pitch email get in the way. Instead of starting at a blank Google doc agonizing over what to write and then, yup, bailing from the entire process, you can use the easy (seriously) 7-step framework I'm sharing in this episode to make your next pitch the easiest and most chill of your life. If 7 steps sounds like a lot, don't stress — one of them is literally just to follow up. That's it. Reply to the email you've already sent and follow up. Want the rest? You can use this episode as a step-by-step guide to creating your next email pitch and sending it out so you can get out of your own way and start getting into the minds and hearts of people who will love what you do and be thrilled they've discovered you.

This week, we welcome Rae Joseph to the Spirit of 608 podcast to let us in on her journey from corporate law to starting a business at the intersection of luxury and vintage fashion. Listen to the episode for a dive into what it's like to leave a lucrative, successful career in order to turn your passion into a business, how she's educating shoppers in her native Saudi Arabia about the joy of luxury vintage clothing and accessories and what's next for the business of secondhand style.

We're kicking off this year's second season of the Spirit of 608 podcast with an inspiring woman helping to pioneer responsible fashion in Colombia — and as you'll hear in the episode — far beyond that, thanks to her role leading the responsibility efforts and media outreach for men's footwear brand Beckett Simonon. I was already well aware of the Colombia-based purveyor of made-to-order shoes, boots and sneakers before I met Adela earlier this year when she joined the PressDope DIY PR course program we offer to founders and brands at the intersection of fashion, entrepreneurship, sustainability + tech (a space I call FEST). My partner has multiple pairs purchased over the course of a few years. And damn if they don't still look great after lots and lots of schlepping to and from his office (pre-COVID, obvs). So imagine my delight when Adela joined my program, and I discovered her role was created to help the brand reach more people with its carefully thought out approach to responsible sourcing, materials, labor and end of product life. It's a joy to get to work with people who are truly aiming for innovation and responsible practices while still creating a beautiful product that lasts. It's an even greater joy to do that work with someone who is as smart and devoted to growth as Adela. In addition to getting the word out about Beckett Simonon to the media, influencers, vloggers and affiliates, Adela is the founder of Bulla, a Colombia producer of programs, experiences and events that foster creative and support mental health awareness. Listen to the episode for a dive into what it's like to build an audience for a responsible brand, the challenge and opportunity of building a fan base in another country (they only ship to the USA), how she approaches outreach to media and influencers and why mental health awareness is a crucial topic on her mind these days.

In the final episode before our annual summer break (we'll be back with all-new interview episodes in August), I'm talking about the thing we're not talking about enough in the sustainability space. Especially when it comes to business. It's been on my mind for a while, and I am sharing it all in this episode. Plus, a bunch of things I want you to know about where the podcast is headed, what's changing and what to expect from us while we're on break (hint hint, if you have wanted to be a part of the PressDope course program, now is the best time to join us this year). And there are more ways I can help you below. While we're on break, don't forget to dive into our archives (5+ years of shows!) and get on the list for the free media leads we send out each week.  

Oh the joy and challenge of amazing photography. Visual imagery is queen today, especially considering every brand aiming to grow is basically tasked with becoming its own mini publishing house. Honestly, just think about it: it used to be that brands, well, they sold things. And the media, well, they published things about the things other people made and sold. Today, every brand reaching new audiences is using content to make it happen — and churning out magazine-sized volumes of copy and photography while they're at it: content for social media, advertising, web sites, newsletters, online events, webinars, pitch decks, podcasts, DIY PR….it's so much content. You don't need me to tell you images are a critical part of that content conundrum. But what I can tell you is this: brand photographer Jessie Wyman is your ethical fashion business's new best friend in this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast all about photography, branded photoshoots and balancing the constant need for newness on social media with the reality of, well, the hours most of us have in the day. Plus, because I love looking behind the scenes into the hows and whats and whens of creative entrepreneurs' journeys, this conversation is one with lots of takeaways for anyone building a career that offers freedom, flexibility and financial success without the utter burnout so many of run into when getting things off the ground and helping them grow. Listen to the episode for how to prep for your next photoshoot, what to tell your photographer in advance, why you don't need to think of social media images as one and done and how to make your creative content work for you instead of the other way around.

Want inspiration for building a design-driven business with sustainable values and rethinking single use daily habits that seem so, well, normal until you realize they've only been common for the last 50 to 100 years? Then you're going to be all ears for this week's guest on the Spirit of 608 podcast, Danish designer and Last Object co-founder Isabel Aagaard. Even at the helm of a fast-growing company (look out for their retail presence in U.S. Anthropologie stores soon) with a baby in a global pandemic, Isabel exudes chillpreneur (credit to Denise DT for the term) vibes, even though you'll hear her say in our conversation that she's not one to shy away from long hours and relentless attention to her business. Speaking of businesses, this isn't her first. Listen to the episode for why that's important (and also an office joke), as well as how this Copenhagen startup debuted its crowd-funding campaign with an email list 40K strong and has spent the last two years adding products like reusable face pads and tissues to its debut cotton swab alternative.

Power moves, y’all! Yes this episode is making me drop the yalls. Why? Because it’s full of ideas and encouragement I want you to hear right now: so many of us struggle with money mindset, simplifying and taking full advantage of the resources and amazing things we have right in front of us. And that’s not because we’re unworthy or doomed to failure — absolutely not. It’s because of how our minds work — in part two, you will hear that explained quite literally in thoughts drawn from my recent conversation with neuroscientist and FEST founder Sharmon Lebby (look out for her on the podcast later this year). But what’s typical for our minds doesn’t have to stay that way. So in that spirit, this episode is all about what founders in FEST (fashion, entrepreneurship, sustainability + tech) and beyond can learn from mindset work around money, simplification (or the converse of that which is all your to dos) and the myth that real work means constant struggle. None of that is true — and our thoughts to the contrary are excellent at creeping in and holding us back. What I want for you as someone up to great things in the world is to have tools, questions and counterpoints to pull out when thoughts about money, scarcity, overwhelm, perfection and constant hustle arise and dampen your power. This episode is all about identifying three areas where these thoughts so often appear (money, our choices around what to do and what not to do and the hustle) and giving you questions to clarify what’s really going on so you can get back to the business of making an impact with clarity, focus and confidence. If you’re looking for more ways to get visible and grow, you’ll find our new, limited-time DIY PR Masterclass for ethical and sustainable fashion brands waiting for you at spiritof608.com/masterclass.  

Sometimes business is grueling and challenging and frustrating to no end. But then, sometimes things begin to fall into place and you come up for air to realize you are in exactly the right spot for right now. That’s what happened to multi-hyphenate actor-musician-artist-activist-entrepreneur Nikki Reed (you will remember her from the Twilight series and many others) when she stepped beyond Hollywood to launch a business focused on sustainability. Joining with Freedom of Animals founder Morgan Boyle, Reed launched Bayou with Love, an ecommerce company that has evolved into a modern fine jewelry destination for those seeking ethical options for engagements and special occasion pieces. The resulting collecting truly sums up what we mean when we talk about fashion, entrepreneurship, sustainability + tech (a space I call FEST) — with gold reclaimed from old Dell Computer motherboards and cultivated diamonds made through wind and solar power, their pieces are dually beautiful and ethically made. With Bayou by Love bringing the dreamiest of baubles, Reed’s latest is strictly down-to-earth. Like actually on the earth. That’s because it’s a new footwear collection from Reed and LOCI, the luxury vegan footwear collection handmade in Portugal with bamboo linings, cork insoles and recycled ocean plastics. Listen to the episode to hear how Reed moved from one career to entrepreneurship, how she’s approaching building a sustainable business, fielding collaborations to make sure they’re a fit and staying true to her vision and values along the way.

This week’s guest turned her pain personal point — her husband’s stinky workout shirts — into product that’s now fueling not one, but multiple businesses. On this week’s episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast, you will hear how Texas entrepreneur Megan Eddings left a corporate career while at the top of her game to risk building an activewear brand aiming to solve for stinky shirts. But she didn’t just create an apparel line — she put her college chemistry degree and sales acumen to work and ended up creating an entirely new fabric to fight odor. She didn’t stop there. Listen to the episode to hear how the pandemic opened the door to new revenue streams and new business and what’s happened since.

What can product businesses in FEST (fashion, entrepreneurship, sustainability + tech) learn from content marketers in the current digital landscape? As a content creator, producer, consultant and entrepreneur who works primarily with product businesses, I’m here to tell you the answer is so much, especially right now — a time when every business is being asked to become a publisher in order to stay visible and connect with new audiences. From simple social media communication tactics to the easiest email marketing tip ever, listen to this solo episode for the shortlist of ways I’m advising clients to embrace content marketing wisdom and make it work for your product biz. If you’re looking for more ways to get visible and grow, you’ll find our new, limited-time DIY PR Masterclass for ethical and sustainable fashion brands waiting for you at spiritof608.com/masterclass.

On this week’s show, we brush up to (sorry not sorry) the story, tips and advice from an entrepreneur building a luxury vegan nail lacquer company that’s out to make an impact in the beauty world with high-quality, cruelty-free products and a tech play that stands to increase inclusivity in more ways than one. Plus, and this is no small feat, Auda.B founder Samara Walker is doing it all while holding a full-time corporate job at one of the world’s best-known companies. Sam’s story is one that’s honest about the ups and downs and waiting game that can come with building a business and also full of heart — you will love the story of how her single mom inspired her to start the brand. We were lucky to talk to her just before the announcement of her Nordstrom partnership — so be on the lookout for more Auda.B in your world soon. Listen to this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast for inspiration that will help your business journey, as well as the way to save 15% off your first purchase from the biz.

In this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast, we get seriously material about the future of fashion with guest Nicole Rawling, co-founder of the Material Innovation Initiative. Their mission? To make it easier for next generation textiles and product materials to make it into the marketplace in meaningful way. To that end, MII is betting collaboration and communication are key to their goal and, as such, act as connectors in a complex, global web of entrepreneurs, innovators, suppliers and manufacturers. An attorney who spent time growing the Good Food Institute and a former director with the Animal Defense Fund, Rawling brings her expertise on the intersection of food, agriculture, animal rights and social justice to this latest venture focused on not only on changing the way the fashion, automotive and textile industries use materials in their products — but what they fundamentally have access to. Listen to this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast for her experience moving from food to fashion and building a multi-player network aiming to bring next generation materials to today’s current and future consumer brands.

In this solo episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast, I get personal about my own anxiety and offer up 5 tried-and-true ways to revive your mindset when you’re suddenly hit with a wave of anxiousness, imbalance or overwhelm. I’m pulling the inspiration for this episode directly from my own super anxious day earlier this week, but the advice I’m offering up comes from figuring out what works for me through years of grappling with mindset highs and lows during life transitions, entrepreneurship, parenting and good old-fashioned, semi-ridiculous bouts of comparison-itis. I hope what I’m sharing here today can help you revive your mindset the next time you’re feeling less than your most confident, powerful self so you can get back to the amazing, impactful things you are up to in the world. Listen to this solo episode for the shortlist of ways I’d advise a client or a close friend to move forward on a tough day — and if you already know these, let this be one of those reinforcing episodes to help bring your mind back into alignment with where you’re truly headed.

For Amira Rasool, The Folklore is far from just a business. Not only that, this female founder travelled far from her home in the U.S. to discover the origins of her current business while studying in South Africa. After dedicating her life to African-American studies, Amira has realized that being visible as a black female entrepreneur and being able to shine the spotlight on luxury African fashion brands was a calling and a way to bring economic power to Black people and the design talent she saw while living abroad. With a focus on social justice and empowerment that runs to the core of her entrepreneurial ethos, Amira Rasool is changing both consumer access fashion brands from Africa and aesthetic stereotypes about African culture and the diaspora, one piece of clothing at a time. Listen to this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast for her experience as an entrepreneur bridging the gap between two continents, what she’s learned about hiring while building a mission-driven startup and the reason she decided to join an accelerator this year despite promising growth created all on her own.

In my neck of the woods, the switch suddenly flipped to spring mode and, with that, I’ve been thinking A LOT about growth, abundance and all the things that help cultivate those in life, as well as the things that, yup, get in the way. As you know if you’ve listened to the Spirit of 608 podcast for any length of time, you know that I am possibly the world’s unlikeliest mindset junkie. And if you didn’t know that about me, I hoping that tidbit helps put a big fat underline underneath my promise to you that the five things I’m sharing are capable of making a significant impact in how you can access joy, reduce anxiety and increase the opportunities that come to you with every little effort. Listen to this solo episode is the shortlist of things I want you to have as you move into the coming weeks and months and keep getting at the year with momentum and inspired action — and if you already have them, which is likely for many of you, let this be one of those reinforcing reminders to bring your mind back into alignment with where you’re truly headed.  

If there’s one luxury in life that money can’t buy, it’s a good night’s sleep. Except, well, after you hear this week’s guest on the Spirit of 608 podcast, you might think differently. That’s because Catarina Dahlin, co-founder of Swiss sleepwear brand Dagsmejan, is here this week to let us in on her journey from a successful corporate job that included lots of international travel (translation: lots of jetlag) to founding a sleepwear brand that’s backed by scientific research and approved by, well, my mom. Those of you who have listened to the show for years know that every once in a while, my mom makes her way onto the show for stamping her extremely discerning approval on a FEST-ive product. When that happens, I always take notice because she’s got way better taste than I do and standards to match. But back to Catarina, who has built her company alongside her partner and with funding from the Swiss government (food for thought U.S. government, just sayin’) into a brand with an international reach thanks to its sleep-promoting fabrics that are ethically produced using materials that help regulate body temperature and reduce friction against the skin. There’s more to the product, but I’ll let you hear it from Catarina. Listen in to get inspired by an entrepreneur who admits she knew nothing when she started out, but has approached a problem in her own life with curiosity and a willingness to look to likeminded brands for advice and receive their help in ways that have boosted their trajectory on the entrepreneurial sleep train (sorry, couldn’t help it).

It’s the 250th episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast! For this milestone episode, I’m getting all analytical on you and checking in on the status of the first 25 brands to be on the show. I tallied up how many are still operating, who has shut down, who’s pivoted or shifted and who’s IPO’d — and it’s more than one! That would have been pretty unbelievable to me back in 2015 when I started the show. But the FEST space has come a long way, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Want to know how business in FEST has performed versus business in general? Oh yes! Then listen to this episode — I was really surprised at some of the things I found when I compared the fates and current states of the first 25 businesses I covered, and I think you will be too! With that in mind, after dropping the numbers on how many businesses persisted, pivoted, IPO’d — and how that percentage stacks up against businesses across industries — I break down the common characteristics of the ones thriving today and the reasons I see for the others shutting down. Then I’m giving you predictions for the next five years. I see a couple of undeniable trends that have been coming down the pipe for a while finally approaching feasibility when it comes to the infrastructure needed to support them not only as concepts but as viable business models — and that means these ideas that have been pretty impossible to build businesses on are finally coming to fruition (one is even being touted as a potential $5T market — wut?! See my Instagram for more on that). Plus, I walk you through two distinct brand ethos buckets that I think you’re going to see most of the successful consumer-facing companies of the next five years swimming in. The TLDR? Listen in for the numbers, the common threads in the successes and failures and my predictions for what’s next.

Pretty much everyone has been in Hayley Elliott's shoes. Hayley had always wanted to express herself in some way, and create something beautiful. For her, this desire manifested in a business that she was passionate about - creating sustainable yoga wear that's ethically made and sourced. In this episode, Hayley Elliott talks about how being authentic and true to herself boosted her branding and even connected her to her ideal audience. Check out this episode where we talk about balancing life and entrepreneurship, being authentic with yourself amidst the pressure of doing business.

Why wait until the middle or end of the year to evaluate what’s working well in ‘21? Two months and a bit in, I want to share 5 things that are working really well for me this year, including: The personality test that has changed everything for me One thing I finally gave in and started doing, and it’s making all the difference Two habits I paused on in the second half of last year and am never giving up again One more bonus! Seriously, these things have made all the difference for me this year, and I’m excited to share them with you today! Listen in and let me know what’s working for you this year — send me a DM on Instagram @spiritof608 or email hello@spiritof608.com.  

This week, we hear from a leader in fashion tech from Paris, long the home of industry leading houses and couturiers who, despite their prominence, for years were notoriously slow to adopt technology as an inherent part of fashion’s future. But tech’s no longer an outsider idea in fashion. In fact, many major brands are leading the way forward by being early adopters of technology that makes it possible for brands to produce more selectively, decrease waste and foster more eco-aware thinking in an industry that is often filed under “most polluting in the world.” Bring up the phrase artificial intelligence in fashion, and you wouldn’t be alone if thoughts of space-age robots and smart clothing sprang to mind. But for this week’s guest, AI in fashion is closer to a day of deep diving on Instagram, thanks to her company’s ability to scan massive numbers of social media posts, images and content to produce trend projections from current data. It’s that data, in turn, that helps brands make better choices during the planning and production process. Listen in to hear from Charlotte Fanneau, Chief Operation Officer at fashion tech company Heuritech, where she arrived after working with some of the best known names in fashion. On this episode, we find out how things fell into place for Charlotte at the right place and the right time, and why she thinks businesses need to think globally, especially during these times.

I love startup stories that involve taking a manual, real-life process and creating a tech solution that mimics it and stories from founders who, in the quest to solve their own problems, end up bringing needed new ways of doing things into areas begging for innovation. This week’s guest is doing BOTH. During her years as a fashion brand rep, Melodie found herself going the extra mile to serve the stores she visited. In fact, she was quite literally going the extra mile by driving her retail clients’ excess inventory to other stores, swapping out merch even though it sometimes meant driving across state lines — all in the name of helping the brands she worked with maintain value (vs. ending up on the sale rack) and the store owners sell through their merchandise. After discovering that one retailer in her network might be able to easily sell what wasn’t moving n another store, she founded Swap Retail to help brands and retailers buy, sell and swap their excess inventory. Now a retailer herself and co-founder of this Florida-based fashion tech startup platform, Melodie is working to move inventory more seamlessly so there’s less discounting, less waste and more profitability for both retailers and brands alike. What you’ll also notice about Melodie is her upbeat, positive attitude and how she uses mindset to fuel her passion for connecting with others and selling Swap Retail. If you struggle with selling, you’ll definitely want to hear how Melodie thinks about conversations she has with prospective brand and retail partners in a way that sets her up not only to get the sale, but to create lasting human connection as well.

Everyone is talking about Clubhouse, the less-than-a-year old audio app that caught wildfire last fall. Its invite-only nature has added to the hype. But the real question is whether you should care. Should you spend time creating, building and maintaining a Clubhouse presence -- essentially adding yet another social media platform to your plate? For FEST founders, there are special considerations -- how will an audio-only social networking platform benefit your highly-visual, probably product-based business? We'll dive into all of that on this week's episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast.

Starting a business in the middle of pandemic, when the future seems a little unpredictable, doesn't seem like the smartest of ideas, but for Laura Mallows, it was the best one. Laura talks about how being real gave her an identity that everyone resonated with, even though it was totally against how the traditional beauty market presents itself. From showing off scars, bad hair days, and even bad skin days, Laura talks about how Mallows Beauty let everyone be unafraid to be REAL, even herself.

It’s easy to get swept away by the glitz and glamour of the fashion industry, and for Lauren Tanaka, it certainly was a glamourous start. From rubbing elbows with celebrities like Charlize Theron and the cast of The Lord of the Rings, Lauren’s first gigs in the industry were every stylist and designer’s dream. But even as she was living the dream, some eye-opening moments drove Lauren to ask some tough questions about the fashion industry and her why. Listen to this week’s episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast to find out what exactly drove Lauren away from Hollywood and full-time into sustainability. Get inspired by her belief in empowering others through positive messages and sustainable fashion. Meet this week's guest, Lauren Tanaka, Founder of Global Garbs and Good & Services.

Want to get visible? You need a story. Better yet, you need to know the version of your story you want to tell right now. One of the things I get asked most often when brands are starting out in their journey toward more visibility is what they should say when they start trying to reach that goal. When they’re wavering and hesitating on visibility projects like pitching more media and launching regular content marketing, one of two things is almost always at play: Either 1) they’re not sure what to do next and/or 2) they’re completely unsure what to say. There’s an easy answer to both. For the former, the best thing you can do right now is check out the free replay of the LIVE PressDope DIY PR training that’s up until PressDope closes. If you’re here after that, you can grab the PressDope DIY PR Quick Start Kit, and it will help you get started today. Get it here. For the latter one, oh yes, we are going to get into that in this episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast. We’ll be diving into three easy exercises you can do to uncover the key elements of your story. I’m also breaking down the five key questions you need to be asking yourself right now as you set out to tell your story and make it one people will remember, connect with and want to share. Be on the Podcast: Ask Spirit of 608 a Question

Do you believe in the power of a business to not only be a part of a community, but also be instrumental in building one? In today’s episode, Linnea, a.k.a owner and CFSO (chief of figuring sh*t out) at ecommerce and IRL shop Darling talks about how she bought the store 6 years ago at the age of 25 and has been cultivating a dream from her heart all these years. It was a special treat to have a Charlottesville entrepreneur on the show during my five-year anniversary of moving to here from San Francisco. She’s all about sustainable fashion (especially secondhand + handmade) and using her platform as a consignment shop to educate and empower consumers in their own sustainable style journeys. Darling believes in the power of investing in your own community by supporting women through inspiring social media and IRL content, amazing consignment finds and local artisan handmade goods. Last year, Darling made bold moves during the pandemic to expand from brick-and-mortar into ecommerce — which is NOT easy for a consignment business or one selling one-of-a-kind products. We talk about Shopify, social media, positive mindset, delivering empowering messages to customers both online and off and how Linnea got to where she is, including the unlikely career before Darling that set her up perfectly to be highly skilled at storytelling and connecting with people in her current business. Listen to this week’s episode of the Spirit of 608 podcast for her story and how grateful she is for having a team of amazing women running this ship, whether in-store or online. Get inspired by her and Darling’s fierce belief in empowering others through positive messages and sustainable fashion. Meet this week's guest, Linnea White, Founder of Darling Boutique REGISTER FOR THIS WEEK’S FREE LIVE TRAINING HERE

This year, we’re closing out our interview episodes with one that speaks to the good stuff that bubbled up from 2020: connections in new and unlikely places. Plus, we’re ending content for the year to take a pause, but leaving you with media intel to get you thinking and thirsty for more visibility next year — and how better to do that than to talk to one of the footwear industry’s longest-blogging and most knowledgeable influencers? Meet this week's guest, Lois Sakany, Founder of Snobette & OTR.