We welcome James Merrill, the visionary founder of StokedPlastics and the inventor of the award-winning StokedPlastic® blend. He is also the driving force behind Opolis, a mission-driven eyewear brand that builds premium frames using upcycled water bottles pulled directly from the ocean.

Recorded live while walking on the street, this candid conversation pulls back the curtain on the "sweat and tears" reality of building a sustainable business from the ground up. Together, Seb and James explore the intersection of innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting the challenges of raising capital, navigating long sales cycles with major retailers like Burton and REI, and the vital importance of mental resilience for conscious leaders.

Topics Discussed:

• The Reality of Startup Life
• Fundraising and Criticism
• The Opolis Mission
• Scaling Sustainability
• Mental Health and Letting Go
• Avoiding Burnout
• The Microplastics Crisis
• Fighting Greenwashing
• Purpose vs. Profit
• Innovating for the Mainstream
• Quantifiable Impact

Connect with James on Instagram

Connect with Opolis on Instagram

Connect with Stoked Plastic on Instagram

Connect with Sebastian on Instagram

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