Can I Laugh On Your Shoulder?

In 1950, the world's population of 2.5 billion produced just over 1.5 million tons of plastic. Today, with a global population of more than 7 billion people, we product over 320 million tons of plastic… and it's estimated that this number is set to DOUBLE by the year 2034. And every single day, approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution finds its way into our oceans. 8. million. pieces. Every. Single. Day.

My guest today is doing her part to impact this issue in a big way...

1:57 – The Sarah 101

• Growing up Adelaide, Australia, Sarah knew from a very young age that she wanted to work in tourism and travel the world. While in graduate school, she discovered a specific passion for sustainability and ecotourism.
• Sarah took a slight career detour for a few years as a digital marketer for the Tourism Industry. In 2012, she realized was no longer pursuing her dreams of working on sustainability and ecotourism.
• After searching out those dreams in Australia, she started to broaden her search to Southeast Asia where tourism was an emerging market with opportunities to implement sustainability.
• Sarah's search took her through Thailand, Cambodia, and even Laos. While in Cambodia, she met the founder of ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment & Responsible Tourism). The experience made such an impact on Sarah that she decided to move from Australia to Cambodia in late 2014 to learn more from ConCERT.

5:00 - Plastic Free July

• Just before she left Australia, Sarah experienced her first "Plastic Free July" challenge. The experience shaped her ideals around minimizing single-use plastic in daily life.
• Sarah introduced the challenge to the Siem Reap community in 2015 as a side-project in addition to her full-time job.
• A local training restaurant called Haven asked Sarah to speak to their staff about why plastic pollution is something we should all be worried about.
• 18 months ago, Sarah left her job to devote all of her work to Plastic Free Cambodia. She now runs local workshops and online programs to help Cambodian businesses remove plastic from their operations.

9:29 – Baby Steps

• Sarah learned from the experiences of reducing her own plastic use to teach others how to eliminate plastic from their own daily routines. The first phrases she learned in the Cambodian language of Khmer was "I don't want a plastic bag", and "I don't want a plastic straw."
• The reactions she received from communicating these ideas to the community helped her teach locals the same techniques.
• Most of the time, all we need to do to be understood is speak about where we're coming from and describe what we want.

10:45 – Getting Rid of Plastic

• The passion Cambodian people have for learning helped Sarah spark a community desire to start to implementing changes in the local markets.
• Cambodians are resourceful: Sarah didn't have to do the work for them, she simply gave them the education to get started.
• The sheer nature of the tourism industry has caused its operations to revolve around reliance on single-use plastics.
• A huge part of the problem with recycling in developing nations is that the infrastructure isn't available to handle recyclables locally, so materials are often shipped off to other countries in Southeast Asia.

20:00 - Incremental Change

• Local markets are the best place to start implementing small changes toward avoiding small plastics.
• There is a much greater awareness these days with Cambodians about the dangers of plastic use, and the conversation has shifted to a place where there is opportunity to work on daily behavior and changing old habits.
• This year, Sarah wants to spend more time launching programs that can be accessible in areas like Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and other local regions.
• We can make change by focusing on our own unique path and the topics we're most passionate about.

25:20 Plastic Free Tips:

• Sarah shares her own personal shopping techniques to cut back on single-use plastics.
• The most difficult thing lately for Sarah in the plastic free challenges has been dealing with the way milk is packaged around the world.
• Sarah has been trying her hand at making her own milks including Soy and Oat milk.
• Since individual sugar packets are often lined with plastic to keep out humidity, an easy workaround is carrying your own small jar of sugar with you in your bag.

29:55 - Getting To Know Our Guest:

Find out what Sarah is most grateful for, the fictional place she would visit if given the chance, healthy social media habits, and the magical place she wants everyone to visit at least once.

10:35 A Memorable Moment

"Have a conversation. Use your words to describe what you want, and when people understand where you're coming from, then they're going to be more than happy to oblige most of the time." - Sarah Rhodes

Meet Your Guest:

Sarah Rhodes has worked in the hospitality and tourism industry throughout her career and has a Masters in Tourism Management where she developed a keen interest in sustainable tourism. Following 4 years working for the South Australian Tourism in online marketing management and project management roles, she undertook training via the Climate Leadership Corps, lead by Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States. After completing this training Sarah moved to Siem Reap, Cambodia where she worked primarily with the NGO sector and responsible tourism practices, during which time Plastic Free Cambodia was formed. Specializing in consulting to businesses and delivering educational workshops on the topic of plastic reduction and other environmental issues. Sarah now also consults to other countries around Southeast Asia thanks to the knowledge she has derived from her experiences and growing knowledge of climate change and plastic pollution issues in the region.

• Plastic Free Cambodia: https://plasticfreecambodia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plasticfreecambodia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlasticFreeJulyCambodia
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/sarah_e_rhodes
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/plasticfreecambodia

Additional Resources:

• ConCERT (Connecting Communities, Environment, & Responsible Tourism: http://concertcambodia.org/
• More on Plastic Free July Challenge: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/
• Angkor Wat is the temple Sarah mentions that everyone should get to visit.

Do you have an item or two (or seven) in your closet that you've held on to for a long time and you're not sure why? It doesn't fit or it's out of style but it holds some type of significant meaning to you… whether we realize it or not… a lot of our identity, personal history, and even sometimes our self-esteem can have a significant connection to what's hanging in our closet… we hold onto things that maybe… just maybe we should let go of.

3:50 – The Essense 101

• As a child, Essense wanted to rebel against being dressed in the same outfits as her sister. Once she found her first job in retail she took full advantage of her 30% employee discount and she began to cultivate her own style.
• In college, Essense started to define and explore her own style, but worried people would only know her for clothing. She wanted to be known for her personality as well.
• Today, Essense fully embraces her personal style as a way to show others who she is.
• While working as a paralegal, Essense's style would attract attention from her coworkers who requested help with shopping on lunch breaks.
• Sometimes the best way to start is by jumping in the deep end: Essense changed her Instagram profile to say "Paralegal by day, personal stylist by night" before she ever had her first client.

9:32 – More Than Just Hangers and Shoeboxes

• Essense realized her skills could help others when her first closet organization client found healing in cleaning out a closet after a hot water heater disaster and a dramatic weight loss journey.
• So many of us look for control in the midst of loss and life-altering events. Often when we feel out of control, we spend our time and energy controlling our belongings or letting them control us.
• Closets are a metaphor for the things in our lives that we keep hidden. When we clean out our homes, we are forced to face the things we've been holding onto.
• Essense helps transform lives by cleaning up the literal and figurative mess in people's lives and provides structure to help her clients overcome personal obstacles.

18:40 – God and The Door in the Dining Room

• Essense has a close relationship to her mother and believes there's a very specific reason she didn't leave home until she was 25.
• Through a shared dream, Essense finds confirmation of where her mom is now and where her mom will be eternally. (This part will give you chills – the good kind).

26:04 – Legacy Through Faith

• Essense's mom left a beautiful legacy of faith, and Essense honors her mom's legacy by giving glory back to God with every step of her career.
• After finding her mom's old business cards, Essense carries on her mom's boutique with D.E.F.Y. Fashion and a unique take on camo jackets.

29: 47- Winning the Super Bowl

• Without any connection to the NFL, Essense's jackets show up at the Super Bowl two years in a row.
• You can attract the market you want with clientele who understand the value of what you have to offer.
• "They could wear anything, but they chose to honor my work at a legendary moment."
• Our outer appearance can be a reflection of how we feel on the inside, and Essense gives glory to God by reminding others to celebrate what makes their story unique.

Corretta Scott King was quoted as saying "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Sometimes, when we think about community, we focus solely on our neighbors. Yes, we should be participants in our community, but we should also think about community in a broader sense. Consider our online community, our ancestral community, and those with whom we share a nationality. Today's guest is Haitian American Vanessa Fleury, the founder and director of Carl's Village.She's taken the idea of impacting her community to the next level by starting a nonprofit.

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/12/business-purpose-podcast-vanessa-fleury/

How do you approach tragedy? What do you do when the bad things come in life? How do you handle pain, sorrow, and sadness? Today's guest used a period of suffering to make herself better, give herself strength to carry on, and inspire others to do the same. Nancy Solari is the founder, creator, and host of Living Full Out. She wants to encourage you to overcome disappointments and strive for your goals. This is her unique story.

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/06/05/business-with-purpose-podcast-ep-144-nancy-solari/

This episode is for the guys. When it comes to fashion and style, what's your perspective? Do you have a personal style, or do you go through the motions each morning. Additionally, what do you think of ethical fashion? Do you think it only applies to women, or does it resonate with you. Let's be honest, in the ethical fashion realm, the voices are primarily female. On today's episode, we'll hear from one of the men on the frontlines in the ethical fashion industry. Garik Himebaugh is the Chief Stylist and founder at Eco-Stylist. He joins us to help you revamp your style while shopping with a purpose.

Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:09 - The Garik 101

• Eco-Stylist is a marketplace for ethically and sustainably-made men's clothes. Garik shares how his journey into this space began with his first foray into men's fashion.
• Garik's girlfriend suggested he wasn't well-dressed, and he began to see that fashion enabled him to represent his best self.
• His dream was to be an entrepreneur. Specifically, he wanted to be a social entrepreneur. Garik moved to Iowa three years ago, and he planned to open a business at the same time. During this time, a summer in Boston sparked his passion for ethical fashion.

8:20 - A Background In Conflict Resolution

• Garik studied Conflict Analysis & Resolution at George Mason University. His major started on a whim, but soon it turned into an eagerness to turn his degree into a career. However, Garik explains the difficulty of finding a competitive job in D.C.
• Garik took a job in finance, but he never forgot his dream to pursue peace studies and social justice.
• In business school, Garik read the stories of companies like TOMS Shoes and Warby Parker. He decided he wanted to leverage his degree to first start a business and later pursue social entrepreneurialism.

13:26 - Why Not Start Today?

• So many people desire to make change, yet they're hindered by the phrase, "When I get to X place in life, I'll be able to do Y." They feel they need to take care of themselves before they can begin to make a difference for others. In reality, it might be possible for you to jump in and start doing what you want to do NOW.
• You can do anything with purpose. Garik explains how his work as a stylist gives him a platform to advocate for those in need.

18:36 - A Misconception Of Generosity

• There's this misconception that wealthy people are the most generous. Not to take away from the work of the wealthy, but the middle class is exceptionally generous. Everyday people give their time, money, and talents to fight for change.

22:20 - Speaking The Language Of Men

• Not to generalize, but most men aren't that into fashion. Garik shares his journey into fashion and he developed his own personal style.
• So many voices in the men's fashion space are part of what Garik refers to as "bro culture." Garik wanted to find his own voice in the space. He wanted to be genuine.

29:38 - Little Changes Lead To Large Impacts

• Diversity is important in the ethical fashion space. However, Garik explains not all views are necessarily healthy. Sometimes, voices in the ethical space can be hostile, but we need to be united as we advocate for change.
• It's difficult to go all-in in the ethical space. It's important to recognize what steps you can take to become more socially conscious without beating yourself up over what you can't do.
• There's nothing wrong with shopping, but it's important to be conscious as you shop. Don't be an impulse buyer. Consider what you're supporting with your purchases.
• Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful. The issues can feel overwhelming, and change doesn't happen overnight. Advocate for small changes.

34:50 - Bridging The Gap For Men

• Garik explains his process for getting guys into fashion. For most men, the jump into fashion isn't a natural one. Eco-Stylist has an online shop, and they also have a styling service that helps you to find a wardrobe to match your personality.
• Eco-Stylist can even suggest specific ethically-sourced items and help you know where to find them.

Getting To Know Our Guest:

• 40:17 - Garik shares with us how he'd survive in an elevator, his favorite tv shows as a child, and a challenge for us to try rock climbing.

A Memorable Moment:

"Lots of little changes by lots of people can be hugely impactful." - Garik Himebaugh

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/29/business-purpose-podcast-garik-himebaugh-eco-stylist/

In the last year, I've been open in sharing about my faith journey and it's impact on my life. Through grief, my faith has been stretched and grown, and through scripture, my faith has been transformed. However, memorizing scripture can be a challenge. Meet Vera Schmitz, the founder of Dwell. Dwell is a membership service that helps people to connect with God through scripture verse memory. On today's podcast, we'll examine how Dwell profoundly changed the way I view scripture and scripture memorization.

Things You Don't Want To Miss: 4:17 - The Vera 101

• Vera spent most of her life training as an athlete. In middle school, she fell in love with track and field. She trained in pole vault, and she attributes her faith in God to keeping her rooted along the journey.
• Scripture kept Vera focused and in tune with God as she competed. She found scripture memorization to be a helpful tool, and as her competition got bigger, she turned to those verses to deepen her faith.
• Vera trained to become a part of the U.S. Olympic team and compete in pole vault. When she didn't make the team, she prayed God would show her the next steps, and the idea for Dwell was born.
• She wanted to share her unique technique for scripture memorization to connect people with God.
• Vera explains her passion for pole vaulting and reminisces about watching Stacy Dragila at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Her hero won gold, and Vera was hooked.

12:56 - Rooted In Faith

• Vera grew up in a Christian home. The youngest of five, her oldest sister shared the Gospel with Vera after becoming a Christian in college. She challenged Vera to accept Christ.
• She remembers the parable in Matthew about the power of having faith even as small as a mustard seed. God took her mustard seed of faith and grew in her a need for Him.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed ,you will say to this mountain, "Move from here to there," and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." - Matthew 17:20

26:28 - God's Love Letter To Us

• God's word is His love letter to us. Memorizing scripture puts God's word on our hearts and protects us when we encounter suffering.
• When troubles arise, cling to scripture.
• Memorizing scripture gives us life and enables us to stockpile the truth in our lives.

29:30 - A Test Of Faith

• Vera shares some of the experiences that tested her faith. Sports are filled with highs and lows, and as the competition becomes a grind, it's easy to give into the doubts in your head. Scripture helped Vera to combat those doubts.
• An injury brought Vera's career to an end 13 days before the Olympic trials. God's word strengthened her. She was reminded that He is our ultimate prize.

35:33 - A Different Plan

• We're quick to make our plans, but God often has something different for us. We need to surrender our story to His.
• Vera explains her hope for people to know God through her business.
• Dwell launched in December of 2017. Amidst the launch, Vera and her husband adopted a son.

40:44 - More About Dwell

• Dwell has a plan for individuals as well as a family package. You can use Dwell to learn scripture together with your friends and family.
• Use your Dwell tattoos as a talking point. Vera explains how Dwell verses open up opportunities for conversations about faith with friends and coworkers.
• Dwell is a family operation. Vera's sister is a pastor's wife, and she writes Dwell's content. Vera is in charge of the design, and her aunt serves as a consultant.

Getting To Know Our Guest:

• 43:43 - Vera shares her love for tacos and sushi, her verbatim memory of the 8 Mile soundtrack, her vast appreciation for Harry Potter, and much more.

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/22/business-with-purpose-podcast-142-vera-schmitz-dwell/

It's no secret we live in a time of heightened social tension. There are issues all around us we're inundated with through the media and around the dinner table. It's overwhelming to consider how we should address issues including racism, foster care reform, recidivism rates, and healthcare. Today's guest is tackling these issues with a unique kind of ammunition: human-centered design. Durell Coleman is the founder of DC Design, a social impact design firm that uses human-centered design to fix some of the world's greatest challenges.

Things You Don't Want To Miss: 3:00 - The Durell 101

• Durell starts with his childhood and shares of his upbringing in Texas.
• His passion for design goes all the way back. He told his mom he wanted to be an inventor at the age of eight, and he made grand plans to own his own company.
• Durell's brother was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when Durell was nine. His brother fought the disease for five long years, and he even played varsity soccer and graduated high school. However, he passed away at the age of 19.
• Durell's brother's battle with cancer challenged him to evolve his dream. He wanted to create, and he wanted to do so in a way that improved quality of life for others. He wanted to give people a chance for success.

7:00 - A New Perspective

• Durrell reflects on how his perspective changed upon the death of his brother.
• The common mantra is "Life is short. Live it up." Durell used that phrase as an opportunity to live with purpose.

9:00 - Lessons From Failure

• As humans, we're able to see our highs after going through lows. In short, we learn from our failures.
• Durell's first company designed renewable energy sources in the developing world. The plan made sense, but he lacked funding, and the vision was compromised. Durell began designing low-cost wind turbines for homeowners in America, and unfortunately, there wasn't a need for that particular solution. He drew strength from his failure, and he studied it as well. As he started DC Design, those lessons became valuable pieces of insight.
• Immersion is a great tool for learning. Durell emphasizes his working class background forced him to design by necessity. He knew there was no alternative solution if he couldn't build or learn something himself.

16:24 - Explaining DC Design

• DC Design is a social impact strategy and design consultancy. They help people on the front lines of addressing social impact. From criminal justice to foster care, DC Design wants to help world changers deliver on their mission.
• The goal is to utilize the process of human-centered design. DC Design wants to understand the needs of people who live through a particular challenge. Going straight to the source helps organizations to shape the process for change.

19:10 - What Is A Design Thinking Impact Retreat?

• The goal is to connect with the souls of other people and build them up. DC Design wants people to know they matter and can only be brought down if they allow themselves to be.
• Design Thinking Impact Retreats are focused on helping people who want to impact the world. They teach effective strategies that help alleviate suffering.
• Social impact innovators attend these retreats. They're the ones who see the news at night and want to effect change.

24:48 - A Unique Approach To Social Justice

• It's the Average Joe who effects change, and we're all impacted by social issues. We're all in it together as we're trying to make change happen.
• Durell's journey began when his first company failed. He'd been focused on his work in other countries. However, he realized many social issues affect us right here in the U.S. He wanted to design ways to fight for social justice, address poverty, fight wildfires, and champion prison reform right here "at home." Durell realized the need to equip the people and organizations on the frontlines of these issues.
• We're not equipped to fight every issue, and DC Design wants to help individuals realize which specific issues they're called to champion. He also wants to learn from the experiences of those in need, and use their insight to design change. The most effective strategies for change come from within.

31:52 - A Notion Of Privilege

• The notion of privilege exists in many forms. Your education, background, and physical appearance can all leave you with privilege. Remember the Spiderman quote, "With great power comes great responsibility." How are we using our privilege to call out injustice and fight for restoration?
• Justice and redemption go together. We're quick to judge yet slow to forgive. We need to create a space for restoration. Rather than wanting people to suffer, we should focus on giving people the opportunity for rehabilitation.

42:30 - How To Learn More

• Sign up for the DC Design newsletter.
• Attend an Impact Retreat.
• Send your high school students to a Design The Future workshop.

Getting To Know Our Guest:

• 45:16- Durell shares with us his favorite desserts, his dumbest injury, and a song he could listen to on repeat.

A Memorable Moment:

"We learn about issues when we start having conversations with people about what they're going through."

- Durell Coleman

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/15/business-with-purpose-podcast-ep-141-durell-coleman-dc-design/

In the last year, big brands like Nike, Athleta, and J.Crew have entered the fair trade industry. It's a big win for the fair trade movement, but it leaves small business owners with daunting challengers. Mom-and-pop shops are no match for companies like Target. No longer is it enough to market the story of your artisans and expect to generate revenue. If you want to compete, you must put your customer first. In my keynote address at the Fair Trade Federation Conference in Austin, I challenged business owners to reconsider how they position their organizations in the fair trade space. This is what I had to say...

Things You Don't Want To Miss: A Crazy Dream

• 1:17 - In the next 25 years, I want the term fair trade to cease to exist. I want ethically-made products to become so much the norm that the term "fair trade" is no longer needed.

The Power Of Persistence

• 1:45 - When I was about eight and 1/2 years old, I took it upon myself to look out for the other children in my neighborhood. Our neighborhood didn't have any sidewalks, so I decided to petition the town council for safer streets and the implementation of sidewalks. As you might imagine, nothing happened. In six months, we still had no sidewalks, so I began to write the town council, asking for change. Finally, after two and 1/2 years of calling, writing letters, and begging for change, we finally got the sidewalks. While this is a cute story, it's an important illustration for the power of persistence. If we want to see change, we must be persistent.

Life Lessons From Kenya

• 7:34 - In 2011, I visited the Kazuri Bead Factory on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. It was my first exposure to the fair trade movement, and if you're not familiar with them, their goal is to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society. This trip put in me a desire to learn more about the movement, and I soon jumped all-in on fair trade. I wanted to do my part fo effect change for those living in poverty around the world.

The Challenges Facing Fair Trade Businesses

• 9:10 - Fair trade businesses are changing lives, and striving to make ethical business practices a standard around the world. However, the jump to fair trade isn't without its challenges. One day, fair trade will become a seemingly standard operating procedure, and cause marketing will slowly begin to lose its power as consumers come to expect ethical practices as the norm.
• 9:52 - Fast fashion brands Madewell and J. Crew recently launched Fairtrade certified denim lines. Athleta is now a certified B Corporation, and Nike has an entire department dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The industry of business is wising up, and that will affect small businesses who operate on fair trade principles. Small businesses will lose their competitive edge to monoliths like Target as it seeks to enter the fair trade space.

A Unique Perspective

• 13:10 - I'm a fair trade customer, and I love ethical fashion. I've also worked alongside small business owners as they seek to stay alive and use their revenue to serve their local communities as well as men and women in poverty around the world. As a blogger, I've interviewed hundreds of fair trade business owners who seek to thrive as entrepreneurs, and I hope my perspective will challenge you to consider how to run your business with purpose.

Change Your Messaging

• 15:35 - If you want to survive in the next era of ethical business, change your message. Put the onus on your customer first, your product second, and your artisans' stories third. Disclaimer: We're not telling you to neglect your artisans, nor are we suggesting you hide their stories. Of course we want to tell the stories of those who make your product. However, the message of fair trade for years has focused around the artisans, and in reality, it's the customers who can be the heroes of the story. Customers purchase products, and their purchases keep your business alive and lift your artisans out of poverty.
• 16:55 - The Root Collective is a great example of a company that's shifted it's messaging. They realized their customers wanted to be noticed in their shoes, so they began focusing on developing a rock-star product that would solve a problem for the customer. Now, their customers get noticed, and in turn, they share the story of The Root Collective. Focus on meeting a need for your consumer, and in turn, they'll get behind your cause.

Shift Your Brand Perspective

• 19:26 - Consider your branding. Does your branding blow people away? Do you impress people when they visit your website? If you want to compete with Nike, you've got to brand yourself. Ask yourself, "other than fair trade, what's your competitive edge?"
• 21:36- Tribe Alive is an ethical fashion brand that's killing it these days, and their branding is SHARP. In fact, it's so sharp that J. Crew and Madewell approached them. Now those companies are selling Tribe Alive products. Tribe Alive's branding speaks for itself. It's messaging is focused on the customer, and it leads people to a conversation about the work they're doing.

Develop Your Marketing Strategy

• 22:47 - Are you using social media as a tool to create a community of brand evangelists, or are you using social media as a megaphone to announce new products and sales? Too many people are taking the "social" aspect from social media. People want to belong; they want to connect. A brand that connects people will thrive.
• 23:54 - Elegantees uses its platform to share sneak peaks of upcoming products while connecting users. It brings users into the company, and gives women an opportunity to become brand evangelists. Invite your community into your business, and market to them by speaking directly with them.

Start Small

• 27:24 - Don't be afraid to change. Take one element from this talk, and use it to shape your business. Implement it in the next 24 hours, and set yourself up for success in the next 25 years.

A Memorable Moment:

"When it comes to the marketing of your business, your customer is your hero. Always. You're the guide. The customer is your hero."

- Molly Stillman

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/05/08/business-purpose-podcast-fair-trade-federation-conference-keynote-address/

Ethical issues surrounding the jewelry industry are often vague and misunderstood. Movies like Blood Diamond examine these problems, but we need to go deeper to fully understand the ethical issues surrounding gold and diamond purchases. Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry. He joins us to answer all of your questions on ethical jewelry and show you how your jewelry purchases impact lives around the world.

Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest

• 1:25 - Marc Choyt is the president of Reflective Jewelry, the first and only Fairtrade certified gold jewelry in the United States. He initiated the first ethical jewelry blog in 2006 which eventually evolved into Fair Jewelry Action, a human rights and environmental justice network.

The Marc 101

• 3:20 - Marc's wife was a self-taught jeweler. In 1995, he started driving around the country and trying to sell her handiwork. At the time, he was also funding ecological preservation, and an epiphany in his preservation efforts gave him new awareness to the ecological harm brought about by gold mining in other areas of the world. He wants the sourcing of his material to match the symbolism behind his jewelry.

A Lack Of Information

• 6:20 - The average consumer doesn't know much about the sourcing of gold and gemstones. We've heard about conflict diamonds, but that's about it. Marc explains the narrowness of the definition given to conflict diamonds.
• 9:10 - In the 80s and 90s, millions of people were killed in wars funded by diamonds. However, nobody has been held accountable for the decisions to fund those wars.
• 10:25 - Marc explains the issues surrounding the term "conflict free."

Where Are Gold And Diamonds Sourced?

• 13:09 - Marc explains the difference in large and small-scale mining. Basically, 80 percent of the gold supply chain comes from large-scale mining operations. However, small-scale mining operations involve 90 percent of gold labor, and small-scale mining operations are often dangerous and exploitive.
• 16:36 - Gold comes from veins running under the earth as well as on the surface. It runs in all kinds of situations.
• 17:39 - Diamonds aren't as widely concentrated as gold. Diamond resources tend to come from Canada, Russia, and South Africa.

Asking Questions Leads To Change

• 20:08 - "Mine Your Own Gemstone" shops are prevalent tourist locations, especially in the mountains of North Carolina. The idea is you get a bucket of dirt, and you sift through the mud to look for stones. These businesses claim these stones are locally sourced, and many times they are. However, you need to know where your materials are coming from. Asking questions leads to change.

Question Your Jewelers

• 23:08 - Different mining operations involve different levels of toxicity. Some operations are relatively harmless, but others involve dangerous levels of mercury.
• 24:00 - Ask your jewelers where their resources are coming from. The term "conflict free" is misleading, and it only scratches the surface of the issues surrounding gold and diamond mining.
• 26:45 - We need to focus our energy on change that impacts the small-scale miner. Certain purchases don't actually make a difference, and we need to focus on impacting the lives of small-scale miners.

Fair Trade Versus Fairtrade

• 31:50 - "Fair Trade" refers to the broader movement where organizations source products from artisan communities. The idea is that your business or organization is directly connected to the community, and therefore, your customers' purchases directly impact the lives of those who are making them.
• 33:09 - The term "Fairtrade" is trademarked by an organization out of Bonn, Germany. It's called Fairtrade International, and the organization conducts audits and provides certifications to small-scale gold mining operations. The organization ensures companies are upheld to a high standard of ethical practices.
• 34:52 - If you're a jeweler working with metals and gems, you need to begin the process of determining where your source material is being produced.

The Problem With Purchasing Lab Created Diamonds

• 38:00 - The lab created diamond industry is up-and-coming. Millennials especially like them because they typically cost a fraction of the price of dug diamonds. However, buying lab created diamonds doesn't address the issues associated with small-scale diamond producers.

Start Small

• 45:30 - Whenever we talk about shopping ethically, listeners tend to get overwhelmed. After all, it's a tricky task to totally overhaul your lifestyle and buying habits. Remember, change starts with baby steps. You don't have to completely revamp your wardrobe overnight. Instead, slowly change your buying habits. Find one ethically-made product you like, and start there. Think of it like a diet. You don't get in shape overnight. It takes time, and you have to be patient as you're going through the process.

A Change Of Heart

• 49:00 - The process of pursuing social justice starts with aligning your heartfelt values with economic decisions. It's not always easy to do that, and it requires you ask questions along the way.

A Memorable Moment:

"This process is about aligning our heartfelt values with our economic decisions."

- Marc Choyt

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link:

The minutia associated with owning a small business can be excruciating. Especially if you run a non-profit, you're probably more interested in your passion than you are managing day-to-day activity. Today's guest is Stephanie Skryzowski, the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. As an expert in management and finance, she equips motivated organizations to execute their vision while managing organizational operations.

Things You Don't Want To Miss: Meet Today's Guest

• 1:40 - Stephanie Skryzowski is the founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting. 100 Degrees Consulting helps purpose-driven leaders better understand and use their financials to make smart decisions for their organizations, so that they can do more and serve more.

The Stephanie 101

• 5:03- Stephanie just new she was going to become a lawyer. She'd read every John Grisham book, and she majored in Political Science. After college, she even lined up a job at a massive law firm in New York City. However, she quickly realized she was in the wrong place.
• 7:16 - One of Stephanie's jobs at the law firm was working alongside an organization in Afghanistan. Something about that organization drew her in, and she eventually took a position with them as an operations coordinator.
• 8:20 - On a trip to Afghanistan, she had a lightbulb moment that changed her career trajectory. Her knack for numbers led her down a path that eventually culminated in her starting 100 Degrees Consulting. She wanted to enable nonprofits to achieve their vision while becoming more organizationally sound.

A Need For Help

• 13:00 - Many business owners have a strong vision, but they lack the support necessary to keep their lights on day in and day out. Small business owners and nonprofit directors often need organizational help to maintain the day-to-day flow of activity.

A Fear Of Money

• 16:30 - Money is complicated, and people like to avoid complicated things. Stephanie explains why a fear of numbers tends to keep leaders from becoming organizationally sound.

Hire Where It Hurts

• 18:00 - Perhaps you've heard the saying, "Do what you do best, and hire the rest." Don't feel like a failure simply because an area of your business is outside of your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can't do it all, and it takes a team to accomplish your vision.

Taking It To The Next Level

• 21:38 - Stephanie shares her niche for helping organizations on an aggressive growth trajectory who lack the ability to take their business to the next level on their own. She's able to answer key questions that add value and help organizations to achieve their goals.

A Cognitive Disconnect

• 25:55 - There's often a disconnect in a nonprofit's goals and it's ability to achieve them. So many organizations have great strategic plans, but they lack the ability to execute them. You have to align your budget with your growth plan.

Tangible Takeaways

• 29:36 - The word budget is excruciating to hear, but if you're starting an organization, your budget is a valuable tool.
• 31:50 - Manage your cash flow. Map out when your cash is coming in, and when it's going out.

Getting To Know Our Guest:

• 35:11 - Stephanie shares her love for Dave Matthews and urges you to try whacky foods that might put you outside of your comfort zone.

A Memorable Moment:

"At the end of the day, we only have 24 hours to make an impact. The only way to grow exponentially is to bring in outside help."

- Stephanie Skryzowski

To visit the Business With Purpose website, click the link: https://www.stillbeingmolly.com/2019/04/24/podcast-stephanie-skryzowski-100-degrees-consulting/