Good Things Happening! Just under the surface...

Big Tony Alvarez wears many hats. It’s clear, however, that he’s a protector; namely, for the sake of this episode, he’s the protector of the brand Volcom.

As the VP of Global Supply Chain and Compliance, Big Tony is in charge of a team that makes sure that Volcom’s products are made in a socially responsible manner, in compliance with some of the highest labor standards in the industry, and that they test safe and are free of restricted chemicals. He’s been at it for years, and it feels like his role is in a really sweet spot right now.

Full show notes at www.theunderswell.com

Kirk Aronstam is an organic farmer and the Lead Shephard at Pure Jojoba. In this episode, I sat down to talk with him about a product (and plant) that I only just learned about. If you didn’t already know it, the jojoba (ho-HO-ba) shrub is pretty much a wonder plant that produces a seed that is pressed to oil and benefits your skin in many, many ways.

Special offer just in time for the holidays - 15% discount code: theunderswell at www.purejojoba.com

Kirk and his family are organically farming on the desert land his father had the foresight to invest in when the government offered incentives for growing jojoba after the whale oil ban in the US. Ends up, jojoba is a triglyceride that mimics perfectly, the sebum that our skin produces as well as whale oil; yep whale oil. Ends up, we can thank the jojoba shrub for helping to pass the ban on whaling here in the US.

Check out this episode to learn about:

- The benefits of Jojoba

- Less whales, more jojoba

- Kirk’s path to farming

- The realities of farming (risks, rewards, unpredictability, costs, etc.), especially in the desert

- The processing of harvesting/pressing

- The benefits of organic and what it takes to get certified

- Water use

- Supply chain transparency

- Farm to shelf products

Shop Parks Project: Use the code: underswell30 for 30% off your purchase; limit to one use per customer.

Sevag Kazanci is the co-founder of Parks Project, a brand whose motto is to “leave it better than you found it,” referring to our National, State, and local parks; as well as local public lands. The unique thing about Parks Project? Each collection of quality goods Parks Project makes, is made with purpose and helps fund a project in our (yes OUR) parks.

So how’d it all start?

In 2010 Sevag started working for TOMS, the shoe company that helped bring the purpose driven business model to the mainstream...that's where Sevag met his co-founding partner, Keith Eshelman. The rest is history.

Full show notes at www.theunderswell.com

Dustin Winegardner is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Arvin Goods. Arvin goods creates basics for men and women; mainly socks and underwear. All the goods that Arvin makes are made from 100% upcycled materials, designed using “closed loop” recycling and low impact production practices. Arvin basics reduce water usage, eliminate toxic dyes, and are helping eradicate the concept of waste.

*WANT 25% OFF YOUR ARVIN GOODS!? Use the Code UNDERSWELL at www.arvingoods.com

Full show notes at www.theunderswell.com

Photo by Harry Fricker / @frickeruk

Mike Hill is the CEO of the socially conscious and environmentally considerate, AoSA Image and AoSA Organic Coffee Shop in Huntington Beach, California. AoSA stands for Art of Sustainable Action and focuses on printing and art displays using recyclable, compostable, and natural fiber products. AoSA Image, a certified B Corp, has worked with TOMS, Burton Snowboards, Clif, Obey, Guayaki Yerba Mate, Sambazon, and many more and has become the go-to print and display shop for brands looking for a more responsible/considerate display solution.

Mike and I discuss the career path of a serial entrepreneur, social impact, brands with soul, the benefits of being a Certified B Corp and more.

Topics discussed:

B Corporation

D.I.Y.

Social Impacts

Sustainable/Non-Toxic Print Solutions

Organic Coffee Shop

Transparent Supply Chain/Materials and water-based inks

Engaging local communities

Certifications

Full show notes and links at www.theunderswell.com

Kim Matsoukas is the Sr. Manager of Sustainability & Social Responsibility at Vans, one of the most beloved footwear & apparel companies (dare I say) in the world. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and Management, a BS in Biology and Hispanic Language and Literature, a LEED certification, and a work history that included experience at a division of Interface Carpets (yes, of Ray Anderson fame), Kim was more than well qualified for the job and is leading the charge there on initiatives ranging from corporate giving, to raw material sourcing, to end of use product solutions.

Show #0041 | Full notes at www.theunderswell.com.

Vipe Desai’s career continues to evolve. He’s been building businesses and brands for more than 30 years now and while he’s a long-time, well-known and well-respected industry veteran in the boardsports industry, Vipe might be known best known now for his work in the board of directors space, specifically in the non-profit world, promoting ocean conservation and ocean-related politics.

We spoke about that and so much more. Full notes at www.theunderswell.com, but here are some of the points we discussed:

The impressions of a first job

Being a young entrepreneur

Allowing a career to pivot and evolve.

Sensing change and learning to adapt.

Even with a degree, we learn as we go.

The importance of nonprofits and the role they play in society and business

Appreciating philanthropy

Contributing to something

The magic of networking

Standing up for your values - even when you’re a corporation

The state of responsibility and sustainability in business

Show #0040 | See the full post notes and links at www.theunderswell.com

Michael Newton, aka Don Miguel, is one of the pioneering partners of the brand Guayaki Yerba Mate (MAH-tay) - he’s been there for over 20 years and seems to have found his purpose as he goes about his daily routine sharing mate (he’s a “cebador”), connecting friends with the product and spreading what might best be described as aloha. All with the goal of creating a positive impact in the world through both personal connections and business.

Show #0039 | See the full post notes and links at www.theunderswell.com

Jackson Hinkle is an 18-year-old environmental activist and politician who recently graduated from San Clemente High School in California. While many teens are still finding direction, Jackson was getting early recognition for the work he’s doing in the community. Not long ago, he was recognized as one of Teen Vogue’s “8 Young Environmentalists Who Are Working to Save the Earth.”

Our conversation ranges from influencing young people to take action, to mobilizing an eco campaign, to the importance of civil action, to what brands should be paying attention when it comes to Gen Z and how to stay well informed.

Topics we covered:

- Xiuhtezcatl Martinez (Earth Guardians) https://www.earthguardians.org/xiuhtezcatl/

- Just Water - http://www.justwater.com/

- Orange County Students for City Council https://www.ocstudents4citycouncil.org/

- Jackon Hinkle - http://www.facebook.com/HinkleForCityCouncil/

- Infinitely Recyclable Plastic? - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/infinite-recycling-plastic-created-chemists-pollution-colorado-state-university-a8324351.html

- Vice News - https://news.vice.com/en_us

-Teen Vogue - https://www.teenvogue.com/news-politics

- Democracy Now - https://www.democracynow.org/

- Vox https://www.vox.com/

- The Ecology Center https://www.theecologycenter.org/

- Josh Fox’s “Gas Land” http://one.gaslandthemovie.com/home

- Josh Fox’s “How to Let Go of the World”-http://www.howtoletgomovie.com/

- “Before the Flood” https://www.beforetheflood.com/

Show #0038 | See the full post notes and links at www.theunderswell.com

Jonathan Hanwit is the co-founder of thinkPARALLAX in Encinitas, California. He’s a surfer, a Dad and a CEO who is out to help businesses and brands have more than just an impact on their bottom line. thinkPARALLAX is a full-service brand and communications consultancy that works with clients to help them “rise on purpose.” Prior to founding thinkPARALLAX, Jonathan worked in marketing for a non-profit, but found social impact early in life and has continued to build on those roots.

We had a great conversation that took on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, embedding purpose in your brand, finding the new norm, risk vs. reward, and more.

If you’re interested in purpose-driven business, how brands can make an impact, leadership, culture change, CSR and the like, tune in and have a listen to some of the business cases that Jonathan shares.

Resource links and topics we discussed:

-Jonathan Hanwit - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanhanwit/

-ThinkParallax - http://www.thinkparallax.com/

-Insight Outside Conference - https://ioretreat.com/

-Arctic Foam - http://arcticfoam.us/algae-technology/

-Sustainable Surf - http://sustainablesurf.org/

-Guy Kawasaki, The Art of Innovation, TEDxBerkeley- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mtjatz9r-Vc

-Patagonia’s Natural Rubber Wetsuit - https://www.patagonia.com/yulex-natural-rubber-wetsuits.html

-Pushfins - https://pushfins.com/

-Firewire Surfboards - https://firewiresurfboards.com/

-Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise: The Interface Model, by Ray Anderson - https://www.amazon.com/Mid-Course-Correction--Sustainable-Enterprise-Interface/dp/0964595354

-The ECOBOARD Project - http://www.sustainablesurf.org/ecoboard/