In this episode of The Toasted Earth podcast, we have Pablo Gonzalez talk about the Livelihood project and its mission of making cities and nature coexist. Pablo is the founder and CEO of Livelihood. Livelihood is an environment-first clothing brand that plants a tree in Houston for every product sold and advocates for environmental projects taking place in Houston. 

Listen in to learn why nature and cities can coexist and the benefits of that arrangement for our cities. You will also learn what it takes to run and grow a business that values environmental wellbeing as its mission. 

“We believe that a community’s money should be reinvested in that community.”- Pablo 

What You Will Learn:

• [1:15] Pablo on why he started Livelihood as a way to protect the environment and wildlife. 
• [4:27] How the presence of trees can help curb extreme flooding like hurricane Harvey. 
• [9:19] How Pablo shifted the action of bettering the environment from the stakeholders to himself.
• [13:22] He explains how he started the Livelihood project and actualized it.
• [16:36] The sustainable and quality materials they use to make Livelihood clothing.
• [21:36] Why Pablo targeted young people by choosing to sell clothing in exchange for planting trees. 
• [23:19] Choosing to make a difference in your community first. 
• [26:54] The environmental and health benefits of trees. 
• [31:59] Why cities and nature can coexist without having to sacrifice one for the other. 
• [35:25] The legal process needed to allow tree planting in cities. 
• [38:00] The growth mission- protecting the environment over the business. 
• [43:11] How they still attach to their values even as they seek business growth.  
• [46:00] How to contribute to the planting trees in cities mission. 
• [50:12] Pablo hopes that cities and nature will coexist in the future. 

Relevant Links:

• Website: https://livelihood.eco/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shoplivelihood/ 

Support the show