We love cool shades, and we love the environment too. So does former race car driver Johnny Freeman — who decided to put together new product lines of sunglasses and leather bags, in a more sustainable way.

So get this — the frames for the shades are made from recycled cotton, and the arms are made of wood. You heard that right — wood. He sells them online and from his flagship store in NoDa that bears his racing nickname, Johnny Fly. And his leather bags — well, we’ll let him tell it. We’re glad to have Johnny Fly himself with us on the BrandBuilders Podcast to tell us his story