Ideas With Intention

Big Island Business Series Part III:   In this episode, Autumn K. Tyler, the designer and owner of Kepola Design House shares the inspiration behind her slow fashion label. We discuss how her designs have been heavily influenced by her thirties, her simple lifestyle, and how she wants to feel while wearing them. Handcrafted in Hawai'i, Autumn has curated a collection of thoughtful, long-lasting and season-less clothing that continues to challenge the fast fashion industry. Tune in to hear Autumn speak of her company as her ultimate 'creation' and seeing business as a form of self-expression.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Autumn describes Kepola Design House as a sustainable women's clothing label that evolves every single day.
• From a young age, Autumn was taught the value of creating, cultivating and self-sustaining and yet, often making her own costumes and clothing, and yet she never anticipated that she would become a designer. Autumn gives us a glimpse into her story and how she found herself pursuing the work she does today.
• Autumn shares how her design style has been inspired and influenced by her thirties, "an era of settling, growing into your self and contentment", as well as her simple lifestyle in Hawai'i. 
• Autumn shares her unstructured design process where she only designs when she's inspired to, "The only way you can be present and be successful at something is doing it when it feels right." 
• On the rise of sustainable fashion brands: "It's not a competition. We all have the same goal in mind and we're all trying to achieve that. It's not about who can sell more, it's about how are we going to change the industry and how can we do it together." 
• Autumn shares her intention behind using natural fibres vs. synthetic fibres and how to purchase clothing more wisely.
• Autumn describes her business as her ultimate 'creation', something that is an extension and expression of herself.

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Connect with Autumn: kepoladesignhouse.com| @kepola.design.house
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

Big Island Business Series Part II:

In this episode, Ana Castillo of The Castillo Collective, shares the story and design philosophy behind her Hawaiian home, built almost entirely out of recycled and salvaged materials. Together we explore the idea of doing more with less and how to allow the design of your home to grow with you and unfold as your needs change.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Ana gives us a glimpse into her life path and what brought her to the Big Island of Hawai'i as well as the story behind the building of her unique home in Kealakekua Bay.
• Ana shares how a trip to Bali with her artist mother was the spark of inspiration she needed to pursue a career in design.
• In addition to her mother, traveling and immersing herself into the creative work of others acts as a huge source of inspiration for Ana.
• Ana's design style / philosophy: "Our style and what we strive to do when we're working with clients is create sustainable spaces that inspire intentional living." Embracing the imperfect is a welcomed challenge.
• Ana describes the interesting attributes of her home; living in harmony with the natural environment, promoting a low-waste, minimalist style through the use of recycled and salvaged materials.
• Ana shares how the Hawaiian culture has influenced her approach to design projects, from respecting nature to paying attention to how a space makes you feel. 
• Ana recommends "slowing down and listening" when setting out to redesign your space. 
• On thrifting and working with vintage pieces: "Every piece has a story behind it. To put it in a new space gives it new life and yet it still retains its character and history".

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Connect with Ana: thecastillocollective.com | @thecastillocollective
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

Big Island Business Series Part I:   In this episode, I sit down with Misa & Geoff of Maruyama Jones Farm to explore the powerful benefits of their "backyard multi-vitamin", the moringa plant. We discuss their journey into farming as well as their deeply personal desire to serve their local island community through wellness.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Misa and Geoff share what they grow, create and cultivate on their family farm… moringa! 
• What is moringa? — A highly nutritious plant with many health benefits that Misa and Geoff process into moringa leaf tea powder and moringa seed oil. 
• While both Misa and Geoff were pursuing other career paths, their decision to re-direct their time and energy to farming and the family business was a deeply personal one. 
• Misa shares how the moringa plant positively impacted her father's cancer healing journey.
• When compared to other vegetables, moringa has more iron than spinach, more potassium than bananas, more protein than yogurt, more calcium than milk, more vitamin A than carrots. It is powerfully packed with nutrients and caffeine-free. 
• Geoff shares the #1 objective of their company: to serve the community of people in Hawai'i first
• Misa shares the intention behind creating their moringa oil, "Our skin is our biggest organ and our interface to our environment, an environment that has become more and more ridden with toxins. This was just a natural way to develop a form of wellness that people can incorporate into their lives that allows them to not only feed themselves with this powerful plant but to be able to protect themselves as well."
• Using the entire plant and being as low-waste as possible is very important to Misa and Geoff, which is why they have (and continue to) explore all of the possibilities.
• Geoff gives us a glimpse into the working dynamic between himself and Misa and how their skillsets and personalities complement each other.
• Misa shares how they hope to remove the stigma the moringa plant might still carry around being a "famine food" and alter it's consumer perception through their brand packaging and communication.
• Geoff shares how Hawaiian culture has impacted and influenced the way they do business and their hope to re-integrate the ahupua'a system to help re-direct the fresh food resources that exist on the island (the idea of sharing your gifts with other people).

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Connect with Misa & Geoff: maruyamajonesfarm.com | @maruyamajonesfarm
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

Just as our bodies are designed to go through cycles of activity, play and rest, our businesses should be, too. In this episode, Sarah Magidoff helps us adopt the #SlowEntrepreneur mindset; a movement she started to help other business owners combat burnout, create better boundaries and add more margin in their daily life for the things that matter most.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Sarah shares her career journey and how a desired lifestyle change led her to the work she does today.
• Sarah explains what inspired her to coin the term "slow entrepreneur" and how this philosophy is combating the one-dimensional "hustle" mindset that has been modelled for us in the entrepreneurial space.
• We discuss the concept of 'rest' and how it can actually be looked at as an active vs. inactive practice. Sarah suggests replacing the word 'rest' with 're-charge' to help us better shift our perspective.
• Sarah encourages preparation and communication in conjunction with setting boundaries in order to combat any feelings of guilt that we might experience from doing so. 
• We explore Sarah's innovative workflow and the boundaries she has put into place to honour her own version of slow entrepreneurship, like her weekly 'wandering wednesdays' and quarterly 'insta vacays'. 
• Sarah shares her vision for the future of the slow entrepreneur movement and what we can expect to see from her in the coming months.
• Sarah leaves us with one simple action item to kickstart our slow entrepreneur journey.

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Connect with Sarah: slowentrepreneur.com | madebycanopy.com | @madebycanopy
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

In this episode, I chat with Conscious City Guides founder, Nichole Dunst about a more mindful way of traveling. Together we explore what it means to "travel slow", how to leave a destination better than we found it, and why embracing local culture while supporting local businesses fosters both personal and economical growth.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Nichole shares what initially sparked her inspiration to create conscious city guides
• The comparison of "fast travel" to "fast food" and "fast fashion" — how it leaves you feeling grossly full one minute, then quickly hungry for something more
• We explore what it means to "tread lightly" or "travel slow"
• We discuss the common travel checklist and how social media plays a role in this
• Nichole shares the ways in which she's personally grown from her travel experiences
• Why slow travel can positively impact destinations and local communities
• How to reduce our carbon footprint as travelers
• What a Conscious City Guide includes and covers

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Connect with Nichole: consciouscityguides.com | @consciouscityguides
• All Birds, a footwear company with a low carbon footprint that uses recycled and natural materials is the brand we're highlighting this week. View their collection and pick up a new pair of runners, made from and designed for nature!
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

Today's episode explores experiential marketing, a strategy you can activate within your business to cultivate connections with your consumers in fresh and inspiring ways. Tune in for 5 best practices on crafting a thoughtful and intentional branded experience that is sure to build your brand's recognition, reach and impact. 

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• What is experiential marketing? —A deep look into the heart and soul behind the strategy
• What makes experiential marketing more effective than commercials or print ads
• Why you should view events as marketing activations vs. money makers in business
• Examples of experiential marketing campaigns that I've executed with clients and how other companies are using the same concept to elevate their own brand engagement
• 5 best practices for getting started with experiential marketing

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• To chat with Shannan about how she can help you execute an experiential marketing strategy in your business, visit shannanscott.com/services
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

Boycotting tampons and bettering the lives of women around the world, one period at a time… that is the topic of this episode. Listen in for an in-depth interview with Betsy Drach, the founder of Dot International, a leading menstrual cup company that is making a difference with its empowering one-for-one business model.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Betsy's story and what led her to founding Dot International
• How a work trip with World Vision inspired her one-for-one business model
• The Dot Cup difference; what makes this menstrual cup different than others on the market
• Menstrual Cup 101: how to use one and all the nitty gritty details
• How menstrual cups protect not only our panties, but also our personal and planetary wellness
• The route Betsy took to launch Dot International and challenges in manufacturing
• Betsy's vision for the future of Dot International
• Where to purchase your first Dot Cup

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Download the Wildly Intentional Checklist
• Connect with Betsy: dotforall.com | @dotcup
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

In this episode, I chat with Student of Botanical Medicine and Holistic Wellness Advocate, Mel Glaze about the intricacies of the cannabis plant. We discuss the recent CBD craze and why we should be cautionary and conscious of our consumption. Whether you're curious about the hype or looking to add CBD to your wellness toolkit, this conversation will equip you with the information you need (and the questions to ask!) to be intentional with your usage.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Mel shares her personal cannabis journey and what inspired her interest and education in botanical medicine.
• We discuss what was once seen as a 'stoner culture' has now become a welcoming community focused on wellness.
• The ABC's of CBD — Mel gives us a crash course on the cannabis plant and how the plant's properties interact with our internal system to provide various health benefits.
• Why cannabis should be seen as one tool in a much larger toolbox that we have at our disposal. And with that, Mel emphasizes bioindividuality: "What may be anxiety-reducing for one person might actually be anxiety-inducing for another person."
• Mel shares a few ways we can use cannabis as a tool in different areas of our lives, from reducing anxiety and inflammation to increasing creativity, self-awareness, and productivity.
• Why it's important to be cautionary with our consumption and the questions we should be asking ourselves to ensure safe usage.
• With so many CBD brands on the market, Mel shares the questions we should be asking before purchasing.
• Mel shares what she thinks the legalization of cannabis in countries nationwide means for the future.

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Mel's go-to cannabis resources: Sativa Science Club, Hempsley & Trichome Institute
• Connect with Mel: holisticawellness.co | @mel.glaze
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

In this episode, eco creative, author, and health coach, Kaméa Chayne, helps us widen our perspective of wellness and to begin looking at it from a global point of view, bringing sustainability and environmental health to the forefront. We discuss how personal and planetary wellness go hand-in-hand and how a little self-awareness goes a long way.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Kaméa gives us a glimpse into her journey, beginning with writing her book, Thrive, which connects environmental health to physical and mental health
• Why the sustainability conversation needs to be included in the wellness industry
• What's required to achieve 'true health'
• How consciousness is the common thread between all of the fashion labels you hear (minimalist, sustainable, ethical zero-waste); the act of becoming aware of, and understanding, your values.
• We discuss the premise and purpose of Kaméa's podcast, Green Dreamer
• Why context really matters in sustainability and the importance of staying curious and asking courageous questions
• We discuss the conflict felt when traveling knowing that it enriches our lives but also negatively impacts the environment through plane emissions
• To activate the sustainability conversation, Kaméa recommends starting with reconnecting to the source of where our food comes from

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• To shop the 'Wildly Intentional' tee, a collaborative design with YOUME Clothing, head to shannanscott.com/shop.
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Lee Simmons, founder of The New School of Finance to discuss how we can be more intentional with the dollars that enter and exit our bank accounts. We explore key concepts from her book, Worry-Free Money, that provide permission to opt-out of our life checklists, ditch traditional budgeting and end financial drama for good.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & TOPICS DISCUSSED:

• Shannon shares what led her to pursuing the field of finance and what inspired her method of financial planning
• Navigating feelings of being "broke" and our fundamental beliefs to either spend or save
• Letting go of the "life checklist" and how social media plays a role in our financial decisions
• Why traditional budgets don't work (and what to do instead!)
• The intricacies of financial planning for the self-employed
• The importance of giving our money a role (an intention) and why it's so important to honour it
• The concept of 'EROI' or emotional return on investment and "happy spending" and how this can help us follow through with our financial plans
• How to normalize the money conversation

 

SHOW NOTES & REFERENCES:

• Grab a copy of Shannon's book, Worry-Free Money and newest release Living Debt Free.
• Explore Wealthsimple "investing on auto-pilot". Get $10k managed free for a year when you open an account through this link.
• This episode is supported by our monthly patrons. Head to patreon.com/ideaswithintention to learn more about becoming a show supporter or show influencer!