A Conversation with a Sustainable Fashion Brand: Girlfriend Collective

Girlfriend Collective is an activewear brand based in Seattle. We got to learn more about their environmentally and socially responsible initiatives including their new closed loop manufacturing program, ReGirlfriend, in this interview.

Lois Ko is the owner of Sweet Alchemy Ice Creamery which has two locationsin Ballard and the U District in Seattle. In our conversation, she shares her journey from being an ice cream scooper to an ice cream shop owner, how she’s managed to reduce waste in her business, and her advice for other business owners.

It’s back and better than ever!

Scott Andersen is the Co-founder and Director of Stakeholders Stewardship at Artisan Dental which is located in Madison, Wisconsin. In our conversation, he shares about the decision to get Artisan Dental certified as a B Corp, some examples of the positive environmental impacts of that decision, and his advice for business owners who want to take the first step in becoming more sustainable.

Abena Boamah is the founder of Hanahana Beauty. She shares how she started Hanahana while she was in grad school, what she wishes she knew when she first started her business, and the importance of building a true relationship with the women in Ghana who supply the shea butter for her beauty products.

Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry creates unique pieces from recycled metals and ethically sourced diamonds. Valerie shares how she got started, her inspiration, and the importance of creating everything in her city, Seattle.

I chatted with Ardis Burr of Up & Undies. She helps divert excess clothing from landfills by upcycling old t-shirts into new underwear. She shares why upcycling is important to her and the process to get your very own pair of undies!

I spoke with Ben Brady, the General Manager of Miko Poke and Everly in Madison, WI. He told me all about Miko Poke’s compostable packaging, sustainable seafood sourcing, and his career in the food industry.

Donale Richards is the manager of Off the Block (OTB) Enterprises in Madison, Wisconsin and a 2018 Sustain Dane Live Forward Awardee. In this second part of our conversation, Donale explains his definition of sustainability and his future career aspirations.

Donale Richards is the manager of Off the Block (OTB) Enterprises in Madison, Wisconsin and a 2018 Sustain Dane Live Forward Awardee. We talked about what his path to OTB looked like, his passion for social entrepreneurship, and his part in creating community.