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Great partnerships lead to thriving brands. In this episode, Kohl Crecelius, CEO and Co-Founder of Known Supply, explores in detail how B2B partnerships have allowed his brand to achieve stable and sustainable growth while staying true to their mission of increasing the world's access to ethical fashion.Join us as we discuss:Why a high level of production should come along with a high level of positive and sustainable impactHow education can be an invaluable brand resource to connect with consumersThe importance of language —which goes beyond words— when creating a great brand story
This week on the Crash Course Fashion podcast, SFF founder and CCF host Brittany Sierra speaks with Raz Godelnik, Assistant Professor of Strategic Design & Management at Parsons School of Design - The New School, Jan Lo, CEO of Lo & Sons, Kohl Crecelius, Co-Founder of Known Supply, and Nina Ahuja, Head of Business Development at Trove — to explore sustainable fashions path to profitability, shedding light on the delicate balance between growth and sustainability, profit and purpose, in a world of economic uncertainty and changing consumer behavior. Follow the Sustainable Fashion Forum: @thesustainablefashionforum Connect with Raz for a FREE digital copy of his book, Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis: A Strategic Design Approach.
Hey there! Forgive my hiatus, but I was stirring up something I'm very excited about. I am thrilled to announce the launch of a new brand I've created: In the loosest sense, THE PRESENT DIMENSION is a type of lifestyle brand. It's an adaptable agency designed to explore and expand consciousness—in whatever form that takes. For instance, this writing series itself is a sort of bloodline to the brand. The ideas we explore here give life and conviction to the ethos of this new company.Because beyond being just a name, "The Present Dimension" is also a living philosophy which articulates a genuine 'dimension' of our individual and collective reality.It's what I call a Universal Space. The Present Dimension: A Universal SpaceThis Moment is the pinpoint where the past culminates And flips inside out into the future we create. In this present flippening, the world stands still And a whole new Dimension is suddenly revealed. It's that collective magnetism that joins us in breath As we gaze up at the wirewalker dancing over death. It seeps out in the gleam of a newborn baby's eyes, Or from the pregnant pink of a new day's morning sky. It slides through every Moment, and hides in the mundane, Like the multicolored prism beams from a drop of rain. It's the waterway to Love—and it resurrects our Inspiration, As a line drifts towards rhyme in divine collaboration. This Dimension's all around, yet it's always freshly found. Like an inner-diamond dug from our ancient common ground. It may tease us with a twinkle, or arrest us in luster When some strange providence ignites our Sense of Wonder. Each journey finds its road is lit by glints of glory, As cosmic coincidence casts meaning onto our Story. Put more simply, it's the Feeling of Being Awake— To the Beauty that flows from the folds of every day. Whatever makes us feel alive, whatever passions capture us, Whatever flutters of the heart lift us and enrapture us, Any Moment of Awe, or natural human connection Can be a Turnkey to The Present Dimension. And if we choose to Meet each other in this Center-Place, We'll greet a grander world in a fantasia of embrace. For there's a timeless mystery within this very Moment. And when our eyes are Open, it Shines in — And we Know it. It's breathing air. Its body's there. A Kingdom comes clear: You're Alive. We're Alive. Wake Up! We are here.This Brand is a wayfinder that gestures towards that ↑ dimension. Another leg of this brand is apparel. We're beginning with a line of premium tee shirts sourced from an inspiring manufacturer named Known Supply. Known Supply's all about ethical fashion production, and each of their shirts are hand-signed on the tag by whoever crafted it.And bringing this personal touch into even more immediacy, I've had the shirts embroidered across the chest—by a local artisan here in Asheville—with the phrase Presence is Power. In a world drowning in Noise, We each have the Choice To rise above the chaos And use Presence as our Voice. From the original hand-maker to the embroiderer to The Present Dimension, each step of these shirts' creation has been infused with a human touch. And now it's your turn to carry on that spirit. As you can see, The Present Dimension is many things: Aside from being a brand and a philosophy—this is also an art project. It's also an experiment in language. It's also, at its most metaphysical, a participatory hologram aimed at drawing a vibrational hyper-space out of the morphic field which—Ah, I digress! More on that one some other time!
Our words matter. Especially as a business owner, an entrepreneur, as a creative. Our words really matter. Words are often how we can fundamentally ensure the success or even failure of a business. How we use words to market our businesses or communicate our message often becomes an afterthought and can cause unintended harm when it comes to how our business comes across to our customers or potential customers. My guest today is using her gift of words to help businesses have the biggest impact. Kaitlin Senter is a social media manager turned conversion copywriter and brand strategist who is obsessed with pairing social impact and targeted messaging to create industry-changing content. She’s made it her mission to teach all that she knows about cause-marketing and sales-messaging to help businesses create deeply rooted impact that drives results with connective content. I was fascinated by this conversation with Kaitlin. I was a creative writing major in college and I naturally love words. It was so impactful to hear from Kaitlin about how we use words to market our business. 4:56 - The Kaitlin 101 Kaitlin’s journey to where she is today as a conversion copywriter and brand strategist began on an untraditional path. Kaitlin started as a virtual assistant, and more in more during that time, people started asking her for help with social media. Kaitlin became a social media manager but realized the actual issue most people were having using social media centered around their messaging. At the time, Kaitlin wasn’t even aware of what copywriting was! She dove into education and became a copywriter! Once she homed in on those skills, Kaitlin started learning about cost-marketing and the unique niche it has become. Social entrepreneurship is on the rise and people are starting to realize how much power they have as consumers. They want to spend their money with brands who are doing things the right way. Often there are brands that provide beautiful products at the right price point, but their message is not getting to those who would most want to know about it. That’s where conversion copyeditors like Kaitlin come in. There is a delicate balance for ethical brands in communicating their mission and still making a profit. Kaitlin works with brands to lead with that mission without compromising sales. Since so many ethical brands are great at focusing on their mission, Kaitlin often starts her focus working with them on business strategies. Kaitlin helps brands determine why people want to shop with them outside of the mission. What are the problems that a brand is solving for people outside of the mission? 9:50 – Products Pique Interest, Words Make Sales Often there are brands who look like they are super successful because the aesthetic of their brand is beautiful. Many people think that if they have something beautiful, it will sell itself, but it’s not true. The beauty of a product primes people and pique their interest, but the words behind them are what makes sales. Kaitlin realized she had a gift for turning words into an experience for people when working as a social media manager when critiquing her client’s social media marketing. She thought about what she would want to read and examples of when she’d seen it done well. What feelings do the words bring up, what thoughts do they bring up, what is the world going to look if everyone could shop this way? One of the brands that does this well is called Known Supply. When Kaitlin buys a t-shirt from them, instead of feeling guilt for making a purchase, she feels good knowing it goes toward providing a good job to an artisan and that she is not making a fast fashion purchase. It’s not about giving out information, it’s taking a shopper on a journey. It’s important that messages are genuine as well. People know when a brand is being disingenuous. Every business can be a cause-based business. Producing a great product that connects followers to the maker of the product or a story behind it creates brand loyalty with referrals and high quality, loyal brand ambassadors. 21:12 – Social Media Hiatus Would you believe that Kaitlin recently took 6 months off of social media?! As someone who runs an online business, it was certainly a revolutionary act! It helped her get clear about what kind of messaging people want to see that makes them feel refreshed instead of tired or uninterested. Without outside thoughts, opinions, and noise, Kaitlin was able to find clarity in what she wants for her own unique message. It’s so easy for us to get caught up in the world of social marketing as small business owners. If there is a feeling of anxiety around it, it’s time to take a break. There is a way to find a health balance between being connected and taking time for ourselves offline. It’s about creating real, meaningful connection online, rather than feeling pressure and/or anxiety to keep up with everything happening online. 25:27 – Help with Writing! If you are feeling overwhelmed with the idea of getting your copy in order, Kaitlin suggests beign mindful of who you’re writing to and why what you have to say matters to them. It’s going to take a lot of thought and time, but if you don’t know these answers, you will start to feel stuck or could be tempted to simply copy the methods of others. That is when you start contributing to the noise of the internet instead of sending out messages that matter. It’s also important to “name your customer.” Go on a deep dive about who you think this person is who would want to know about your brand, who would want to buy from you. Write to that person! Kaitlin uses the “Jobs to Be Done” framework. You can Google it to learn more, but it’s basically teaches you how a product connects to the better version of the customer; the person the customer wants to be. It’s how they imagine their life after they have a certain product. It’s less about the task, but the emotional feelings a product produces; the “true job” of what your customer wants to accomplish. 30:12 - Getting to Know Our Guest Find out what Kaitlin’s not-so-guilty pleasure is, what she’s reading right now, her favorite show to watch when she was growing up, and what it means to Kaitlin to run a business with purpose. Memorable Quotes: 5:58 - “I think this cost-marketing niche is really unique because it’s on the rise and I think more and more consumers are worried about what their dollars are voting for.” 6:16 – “I think there’s this fine line that you have to walk between keeping your life on and making sales, but also educating in a way that doesn’t alienate those on the fringes of the cause who are just learning and they don’t want to feel bad for past decisions they’ve made or for not knowing about sustainable fashion or ethical ways or farming, but also in a way that still makes sales without feeling disingenuous.” 9:26 – “That’s what we really have to focus on: You meet the need of the customer and that mission where they connect, that intersection between mission and meeting the needs of the customer.” 18:46 – “Connection is one of the biggest components of successful marketing.” About Kaitlin Senter: Kaitlin is a social media manager turned Conversion Copywriter & Brand Strategist obsessed with pairing social impact & targeted messaging to create industry changing content. She has made it her mission to teach all she knows about cause-marketing & sales messaging to help businesses create deeply-rooted impact that drives results through connective content. Connect with Kaitlin: strikingconversation.com https://www.instagram.com/kaitsenter/ Thank you to our partners of the show: Ammas Umma Did you know I have an ethical brand directory? That's what Chelsea used to start finding products for her boutique almost four years ago! Now, Amma's Umma carries over 50 intentionally sourced brands and is the perfect one stop shop for all your gift giving needs. As a thank you to the Still Being Molly community, she is offering 20% off with code SHOPWITHMOLLY. Head to shopwithmolly.com for all the details. GOEX At GOEX, we believe in the power of purchase. We use a simple t-shirt to connect our customers with their apparel makers. GOEX customers sustain fair wage jobs that liberate workers from poverty and empower them in their families and communities. We are proud to be a verified member of the Fair Trade Federation. Shop sustainable, eco-friendly t-shirts and sweatshirts with purpose today at goexapparel.com. Simple Switch I want to introduce you all to a company I believe in that helps you more conveniently purchase with purpose, SimpleSwitch.org Simple Switch is an online marketplace for ethical and impactful shopping. They let you shop online for more than 3,000 products ranging from everyday essentials like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, to special gifts like journals or jewelry. Every product has a positive environmental or social impact, like planting trees or fighting human trafficking. Simple Switch is offering a discount exclusively for our listeners. Check out the marketplace on simpleswitch.org and get 20% off your first order with code PURCHASEWITHPURPOSE at checkout! The Lemonade Boutique This episode is sponsored by The Lemonade Boutique, a women’s clothing with a cause store. Featuring ethically made and fair trade items from over 10 countries, every item is made by women facing extreme challenges such as trafficking, poverty, and more. Your purchase empowers women to take life's lemons and make lemonade. Shop at THELemonadeBoutique.com. Listeners of the Business with Purpose Podcast can save 15% by using code PURPOSE15 at checkout.
Kohl Crecelius believes that jobs matter almost more than anything. He has helped lead the modern movement integrating social good and business, as he founded Krochet Kids and KNOWN SUPPLY. Kohl joins Kelsey and Jay to discuss Fair Trade, B-Corps, and how his journey started with crocheting.
Today we meet Amy and Kohl. Amy is a nurse, and Kohl is the Co-founder of Krochet Kids and Known Supply - international brands focused on the people making the products. In this episode, listen out for three things: stealing hobbies, ethical manufacturing while raising kids, breaking rules with your kids in tow. Is it breaking the law if you have your kids with you??To learn more:https://www.krochetkids.org/https://knownsupply.com/Welcome to the Love or Work Podcast, hosted by Andre Shinabarger (Physician Assistant, Grady Hospital) and Jeff Shinabarger (Social Entrepreneur and Founder of Plywood People). They are asking the question: Is it possible to change the world, stay in love and raise a healthy family? 100 interviews where Jeff and Andre learn from other working families in the journey of marriage, purpose and parenting.Website: www.loveorwork.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/loveorworkLove or Work is a project of Plywood People.Plywood is a non-profit in Atlanta leading a community of start-ups doing good.www.plywoodpeople.com
Today’s conversation is with Travis Hartanov, co-founder of Krochet Kids International and Known Supply. Travis was there for the rise of social enterprise and is deeply committed to connecting people and products around the world. He’s on a mission to humanize the apparel industry, changing the aid landscape with a maker signature and an open heart.
The Uplifting Content Podcast With Ione Butler (Let’s Talk About…)
In this episode I spoke to one of the co-founders of KNOWN SUPPLYand Krochet Kids intl. about the importance of knowing where our clothes come from, how buying ethical makes you look better ;) how to manage your work life balence and so much more.Enter to win a $50 gift card from Known Supply here: https://bit.ly/2LMarEb These episodes live on the Uplifting Content Facebook page every Tuesday PST so if you want to be part of the conversation be sure to join us during the Facebook live to share your thoughts and questions. Subscribe for the latest episodes and if you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review on itunes, it really helps the podcast reach more listeners. Send a screen shot of your review to info@upliftingcontent.com and we send you a gift to say thank you. Sign up for my weekly(ish) email for all our giveaways and updates here Ione Butler Facebook Instagram Twitter Podcast Website IMDB Uplifting Content Website Uplifting Clothing Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Kohl Crecelius Website Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedInKrochet Kids Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTubeKnown Supply Website Facebook Twitter Instagram VSCO
In episode 131, Kestrel welcomes Kohl Crecelius, a social entrepreneur, and the founder and owner of two social impact apparel brands, the the show. With a focus on helping shoppers know and connect with the makers behind their clothing, KNOWN SUPPLY and Krochet Kids intl. are pushing to humanize the fashion industry. "I remember in probably our first couple years, all we ever heard (because we were starting around the same time that Tom's was really starting to take off), all we ever heard was - what is the tagline that's like one-for-one? And we thought about it and we came up with all these iterations and then, eventually we kind of just said - you know what, there's so much more to who we are and what we're trying to accomplish than a simple little quip." - Kohl Crecelius, Founder of Known Supply + Krochet Kids In this episode, Kohl shares more on the origins of Krochet Kid intl., and how it evolved out of a company he and his friends started in high school after his brother taught him how to crochet. Additionally, throughout the show, Kestrel + Kohl talk about different tactics for storytelling as a socially conscious brand. Kohl sheds light on the idea that maybe you don't need to have a tiny tagline for your brand - maybe you don't need to sum up your entire brand in a mini statement. For Kohl, he and Known Supply are inspired by Patagonia's approach, which has led them to take more of a longterm approach to storytelling. They believe in putting in the work to develop the story, while educating their shoppers and sharing more in-depth information with them over time. Kohl also shares some of his thoughts on how much potential there is out there to partner with larger brands. He outlines that too often, younger or smaller brands sell themselves short and don't present or embrace the big value (knowledge of sustainability, ethics, or supply chains) that they can actually provide to bigger brands. The below thoughts, ideas + organizations were brought up in this chat: “Why this clothing startup wants you to know thy T-shirt maker”, article discussed that Kohl was featured in on Fast Company “My theory was that if we could understand the people behind our product, we would think about purchasing differently,” Crecelius says. “That we would realize that our story is bound up in the story of others.” -via Fast Company article Global Citizen Festival, a festival based in New York that Kohl and his team collaborated with in the past to create garments for them The Giving Keys, brand that Known Supply recently partnered with "What we feel like is going to change the industry is collaboration and connection." "Initially, I had stepped into so many of those experiences thinking that I had a clear path or a clear way to help people - that I was going to come and help people that were less fortunate than I, who didn't have the same opportunities. And I - in that - sort of had these preconceived notions of who people were and what brought them to the circumstances they were in, and how I was going to come save and change and help those. And - what I came face to face with - when I initially started traveling was people. It wasn't statistics, it wasn't the image that I had seen growing up about poverty. It was people full of life and joy and laughter, and I found that there was so much that we could connect over and we shared far more similar than we did different." EVENT ALERT The Mindful Materials Summit, hosted by Textile Arts LA, is taking place on September 15th-16th at the Helms Design Center in Los Angeles. Kestrel will be moderating a panel focused on Material Accessibility on the 15th. If you are interested in attending, you can purchase tickets at the link here. Use promo code CCFRIENDS for $70 OFF the ticket price.
Welcome to Leading Good, the podcast for leaders of social impact brands, social enterprise and nonprofits. Each episode is hosted by Leading Good co-creators, Rod Arnold & Hugh Weber, and features a leading voice in the social good sector. This episode is part of the Social Enterprise Alliance Series, a partnership with the key catalyst for the rapidly growing social enterprise movement. In this episode, Rod Arnold hosts Kohl Crecelius. Kohl is CEO & Co-Founder of Krochet Kids & Known Supply. Krochet Kids is a lifestyle brand & an innovative non-profit. KNOWN SUPPLY, recently launched, is here to humanize the apparel industry by celebrating the people who make our clothing, and the people who wear it. To learn more, visit LeadingGood.com