The Wise Consumer

"Everything in life, especially when you’re starting something new, has ups and downs. So do not get demotivated by the first obstacle you come across. Keep going, learn as much as you can and as quickly as you can, and then move forward." -- Ibrahim Shams

Meet Ibrahim Shams, the Co-Founder and CEO of Kiliim, an Egyptian social enterprise and a lifestyle brand that aims to revive and sustain the local craft of handmade kilim making in Egypt by introducing modern designs to a time-honored technique.

In this episode we cover:

- The history and culture around the ancient craft of kilim weaving in Egypt (dates back to a time when Pharaoh's still ruled Egypt!) - The importance of reviving and maintaining the craft of kilim weaving. - The inspiration and journey that led Ibrahim to Co-Founding Kiliim with his wife Noha, who also happens to be Ibrahim's Co-Founder and Kiliim's Chief Designer.  - Why paying fair wages and working with local artisans in Fowwa, a small village situated along the lush Nile Delta, was so important to both Ibrahim and Noha. - How and where they source their materials (sustainably sourced cotton and wool). - The pros and cons of working with your significant other and the challenges of establishing a healthy work/life balance. - And so much more!

This was such a GREAT conversation. I know you're going to love it! Ibrahim has such an amazing story to share and he and Noha are truly doing some amazing work! Happy listening! 

“It has always been important to me to do good in this world, and Dounia Home allows me to do what I love, which is design, while helping others along the way. I find a great deal of fulfillment in being able to create beautiful products while positively impacting the artisan community behind them.” - Dounia Tamri-Loeper

Meet Dounia Tamri-Loeper, the founder of the contemporary lighting and home decor brand, Dounia Home.

In this episode we cover: - How growing up in the small artistic town of Safi, Morocco, shaped Dounia’s creative career path - Her entrepreneurial journey. #thestruggleisreal - Her passion for working with, and giving back to, local artisans, and why it matters. #ethicallymade - How her Moroccan heritage/culture inspire all her designs. #heritage - The importance of becoming more mindful and conscious consumers. And so much more!

This was truly such an amazing conversation! Happy listening.

Connect with Dounia Home Instagram Facebook

"My ultimate dream is to be able to use language and to work with artisans, support traditional art forms, preserve culture, and share their stories, particularly in the US. I think products are an amazing way to connect with people and to connect with cultures worldwide.  They can bring beauty and meaning into our lives, help us to see the world in a different way." — Cayley Pater

Meet Cayley Pater, the founder of Made Trade, an online destination for exceptionally designed ethically made goods. Think of it as the ethical alternative to anthropology that puts people and our planet first.

In this episode we cover:

- Cayley's passion for languages and cultures and how it ultimately influenced the direction of her career. - The importance of developing personal connections & relationships with artisans and designers from all over the world.  - How Made Trade selects the ethical and sustainable brands they partner with. - The impact we can make as conscious consumers.  - The challenges of her entrepreneurial journey. 

This was truly such a wonderful chat. Hope you enjoy it. Happy listening! 

Connect with Made Trade: Facebook Instagram

Find me on Instagram @thewiseconsumer or on Facebook

"My why? I understand that I have the ability to change lives, and I see it in so many ways. While I see a world full of problems I also see solutions...I think we can actually make impact, I honestly believe that." — Navyn Salem

Meet Navyn Salem, the founder of Edesia, a nonprofit based out of Providence RI whose mission it is to help treat and prevent malnutrition in the world's most vulnerable populations. To date, Edesia has reached over 8 million malnourished children in over 55 countries. 

In this episode we cover:

• The journey that led her to founding Edesia & her newest social enterprise MeWe, a delicious and nutritious nut butter on a mission to make peanut allergies a thing of the past. (100% of MeWe profits go toward Edesia's humanitarian mission).
• The importance of using business to solve problems #socialentrepreneurship
• The entrepreneurial challenges she's faced over the years and how we should never take "No!" for an answer.
• The difference between severe and acute malnutrition.
• How a little packet of fortified peanut butter can change a child's life.
• Her thoughts on the documentary Poverty, Inc., a documentary which really made me think about the business of doing "good" in developing countries (I highly encourage you all to watch this film). 

This was such a wonderful and insightful conversation. Navyn and her team are doing some truly amazing work. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did! Happy listening. 

Connect with Edesia: Facebook Instgram

Connect with MeWe: Facebook  Instgram

PS: You can donate to Edesia by clicking here. 

$50 = one box of Plumpy’Nut = one life saved 

“I wasn’t one of those kids that had a lemonade stand, you know, those entrepreneurial kids that love business!?! I had a rock collection. Like, I was one of those super nerdy science kids and it wasn’t until later, like waaay late, like a couple years ago, that I realized business could be a part of problem solving.” - Kate Jakubas

Meet Kate Jakubas and Mike Meyer, Co-Founders of Meliora Cleaning Products, a company based out Chicago, Illinois that creates all-natural laundry and home cleaning products that are both good for the planet & people.  

In this episode we cover:

• Kate and Mike's journey from career engineers to full-time entrepreneurs. 
• The importance of using natural and nontoxic ingredients in cleaning and laundry products.
• Why complete transparency about the ingredients they're using, and where they're sourced, is so important to Mike and Kate.
• Tips on how we can become wiser and more conscious consumers.
• The challenges of the work/life balance when you're co-founder is also your life partner.
• The power of the consumer and why it matters.

This was such a great conversation! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy listening!    

"I want to be part of something bigger than myself.” - Caleigh Hernandez

Meet Caleigh Hernandez, the founder of RoHo, an ethical fashion company working with local artisans in Nairobi Kenya to bring beautifully handcrafted beaded sandals, scarves and jewelry to an international market. #ethicalfashion

In this episode we cover:

• Caleigh's prior work experience in the nonprofit world and how it ultimately led her down the path to social entrepreneurship
• The adventure she went on to find Lydia, the talented artisan running the sandal workshops in Kenya
• The challenges of running an ethical fashion start-up in Kenya
• The importance providing fair wages, and support, to local artisans
• Tips on how to become a wiser and more conscious consumer

Had such a wonderful time chatting with Caleigh! Enjoy. 

"The world is shaped by people, the world is shaped by you.” - Okan McAllister

Meet Okan McAllister, the founder of Prime Movers, a youth-led social enterprise, based out of Vienna Austria, that creates social businesses and educates the next generation of impact leaders. 

In this episode we cover:

• The journey that led Okan to founding Prime Movers.
• The culture shock he experienced when he first arrived to Europe from Istanbul, Turkey at age 15.  
• The importance of systems thinking and systems entrepreneurship and how it works. 
• The various programs offered by Prime Movers to help encourage youth to bring about social and environmental change in the future.
• Prime Movers most recent social enterprise, Kindby -- an online store that allows you to buy and rent ethically made baby clothing and accessories.
• The zero-waste movement in Austria #sustainableliving. 
• Tips for individuals contemplating to start their own businesses.

I had such a wonderful time chatting with Okan. He is a wealth of knowledge and working on some really amazing social and environmental projects. Truly hope you enjoy listening to this conversation as much as I enjoyed recording it.   

“I believe knowledge is definitely power when it comes to the skincare industry. I feel that the more you know about the industry, the more aware you are as to what ingredients are being used in each product, the better off you’ll be.” — Ashlee Assadi

In this episode we cover:

• The journey that led Ashlee to founding Santosha Co.
• Her struggle with infertility and PCOS & the lifestyle changes it encouraged her to make 
• The health benefits of using all-natural and fresh ingredients in skincare products
• How she and her family grow and sustainably forage 50% of the ingredients used in all her products
• How her brother Luke, Santosha's Director of Product Development, manages the manufacturing process from plant to bottle (it's a pretty amazing process!)
• 3 things every consumer should know before making their next skincare purchase
• The challenges of the start-up life #thestruggleisreal

This was a SUCH a great conversation and truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Happy listening! 

“I think there is still a lot of hope in the ocean — it’s very powerful, it’s very resilient and it definitely has an ability to come back in unexpected ways. “ - Emily Hazlewood, Co-Founder Blue Latitudes

Meet Amber Jackson and Emily Hazelwood, the Co-Founders of the marine environmental consulting firm Blue Latitudes, a business they co-founded together about 3 years ago, that focuses on developing sustainable, creative, and cost-effective solutions for the environmental issues that surround the offshore energy industry i.e., converting decommissioned oil rigs into artificial reefs, also known as the Rigs-to-reefs. 

In this episode we cover:

• The journey that led Emily and Amber to co-founding Blue Latitudes
• The pros and cons of converting decommissioned oil rigs into artificial reefs
• The challenges they face as women  working in a predominantly male industry
• The struggles of the work-life balance
• Their love for the ocean and WHY they’re working so hard to protect it.

This was a such a great conversation and truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Happy listening! 

“I want to spend my life working on a hard problem, not a small one." -- Rose Wang, Co-Founder of Chirps

My guest today is Rose Wang, Co-Founder of the delicious insect-based snacks, Chirps.

In this episode we cover:

• The journey that led her to co-founding Chirps
• Why and how eating insects could help reduce GHG emissions
• Overcoming our fears around eating insects
• The health benefits of adding insects to our diets 
• Her life changing experience on Shark Tank
• And how she and her team have persevered through the daily challenges of the start-up life.

This was a such a great conversation and truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  Happy listening!